EHF Euro 2022 – Match Analysis: Portugal Vs. Hungary

by Mário Cesar Navarro Handball Analysis, Men's EHF Euro 2022

Portugal and Hungary started the 4th day of the Men’s EHF Euro 2022 competition needing a win to continue their ambition to qualify for the Main Round. It is essential to mention that Portugal was defeated in the opening round against Iceland, while Hungary was surprised by the Netherlands in front of their home crowd in Budapest.

This way, we are facing the survival game between two teams that only met three times in their history, where Hungary won two of the games and Portugal won the last one by 34:26 in the previous Men’s EHF EURO 2020 took place in Sweden, Austria, and Norway.

A great game in prospect in one of the most spectacular competitions between two great teams.

Stay with another detailed analysis of a fantastic and exciting handball match.

In a highly emotional match with around 20,000 Hungarian fans in Budapest pushing the host team. Unfortunately, it wasn’t always well played, with many misses from both sides.

Portugal started the game better, but three exclusions between the 11th and 16th minute made Hungary go ahead until the 28th minute. Portugal would manage to get to half-time with a one-goal lead.

Portugal was better organized in terms of attack than Hungary, with an efficiency of 63% exploring long and disciplined attacks against 45% from Hungary, who were more focused on quicker ball possession.

Portugal’s shooting efficiency improved with 19 goals from 15 shots (79%), while Hungary managed 14 from 22 attempts (64%). The Portuguese goalkeepers had 22% effectiveness (4 saves) in the net, and the Hungarian goalkeepers had only 12% effectiveness (2 saves).

In the second half, the balance was maintained, and Hungary seemed to be better in the game. Portugal had to bring their 7:6 from the 42nd minute, but Hungary solved their problems. At minute 52, Hungary managed to get the most significant advantage of the match with three goals.

However, Portugal pulled off a fantastic comeback to equalize in the 56th minute. From that moment on, Hungary began to falter from that moment on, where they benefited in the 58th minute from an Iturriza exclusion. Consequently, Hungary went ahead, but Portugal would equalize with 12 seconds to go. Hungary reacted with a timeout and managed to score the winning goal with 2 seconds to go in the last possession.

In a very balanced game, statistically, Portugal was better in several aspects, except in the Fastbreak and the attacks in superior and inferior numbers. However, statistically, the difference between Portugal and Hungary’s attacks was clearly in the number of turnovers.

With this result, Hungary takes an essential step in qualifying for the Main Round, while Portugal will always depend on third parties to achieve the qualification.

Stay with some data about this match.

Author Profile

Mário Cesar Navarro
Portuguese handball coach with over 15 years of experience coaching both male and female youth and senior teams. Passionate about game analysis and coaching.