There is no time to lose. Here comes a short break for selections to compete, among others, for the play-off qualification for the 2025 World Cup, a phase of the competition in which Portugal is included and will take action on May 9th, against Bosnia and Herzegovinaat the Unidad Vimaranense Sports Pavilion, in Guimarães.
Therefore, before we enter the final stretch of the Campeonato Placard Handebol 1 Final Phase, it is time for two more games in Group A. Let’s start with the duel between Benfica and FC Porto. The Reds return to play a match with some important casualties. Alexis Borgespivot who was left out of the Paulo Jorge Pereira called up due to injury, is one of those cases. The 32-year-old athlete, in fact, did not play in the match against ABC, which ended in a triumph for the teams. eagles per 34-27.
On the other hand, however, the trend is exactly the opposite, since dragons They already have practically the entire squad available and are gradually returning to the competition. Victor Iturriza It is Daymaro Salina They were fundamental in the last few days, despite having been out for several weeks. The pivots, in fact, played a prominent role in defeating Sporting and putting an end to the Lions’ unbeaten run.
Duels between the two teams have been quite recurrent in 2024. Benfica got the better of the first (28-27)but FC Porto managed to get the better of the other games – in the quarter-finals of the Portuguese Cup (37-39) and in the first round of the Final Stage of the championship (36-32).
Return to winning ways in the championship?
Sporting, in turn, hosts ABC at Pavilhão João Rocha. Despite the good responses in recent games, the lions are going through the most complicated phase of the season in terms of results: they were eliminated in the EHF European League quarter-finals and FC Porto shortened the distance in the championship, fruit of the triumph at Dragão Arena by 37-35.
Still, there’s no reason to raise alarms in the Leo barracks. The group of Ricardo Costa their morale continues to be high and they want to reach the decisive duel against FC Porto with the same two-point lead. ABC is also not “famous” when it comes to results, as it is the only team that has not yet won in this Final Stage…
Protagonists in direct speech
Jota González (Benfica): «It’s always an important game, against a complicated opponent, especially because we’ve had some problems with casualties and injuries in recent matches. It’s going to be complicated because they are in a great moment [ganharam ao Sporting CP], but we always have to do our best and think about winning to please the fans who support us. At Benfica we always try to win but we know it won’t be easy.”
António Areia (FC Porto): «When we started the final phase of the championship, we knew the conditions and the position we were in. It wasn’t the position we wanted, but it is what it is. The next game will be no different, it is a game that we are obliged to win. This obligation can be good for us, as it increases our focus and unity as a group. It may be advantageous for us. We are an experienced team. We are prepared for these moments.”
André Kristensen (Sporting): “I don’t think there are many differences compared to the last times we faced them. The teams know each other well, we know their strengths and weaknesses and it is important that we play well, be prepared and we will certainly be ready for a great fight. We have already had good games against them, we know that they will try to get revenge in the last games against them, so we have to be prepared, play well and be at our maximum level.”
