Portugal passes very close to the feat at the U21 World Cup

This Sunday evening, Portugal lost to the final of the U21 World Handball World Cup against Denmark.

The Portuguese passed very close to an extraordinary performance. Until then undefeated in the competition, the men of Carlos Martingo have been forced to give in against Denmark in the final of the U21 World Cup. A first defeat that ends an exceptional journey, and which gives way to great hopes for the future.

Portugal bows in the final

At the start of the game, Portugal was not favorite. Indeed, the national selection competed in the very first final in its history at the World Cup U21, faced with a more experienced team, having already won the test three times. However, the Portuguese could rely on a particularly honorable course since the start of the competition: they were indeed on six consecutive victories.

But the walking was too high for the Portuguese. Faced with a Danish team carried by its excellent goalkeeper, the Portuguese national selection has never managed to take the lead in the game. Led 10-14 at halftime, Portugal's training finally lost 26-29.

No title, but hopes

It is therefore not this year that Portuguese handball will assert itself on the roof of the world. However, the Portuguese service for the duration of the competition suggests a very positive future for handball in Portugal. Young talents like Rafael Vasconcelos or Tomas Teixeira have been able to prove to be, in the same way as the very promising Diogo Rêma.

In full ascent, after having obtained excellent results in the last two international events, Portuguese handball seems to be promised to a bright future. It remains to be seen whether this U21 training, which delivered excellent performances during this World Cup in Poland, will manage to project Portugal to the heights of the discipline in the years to come.