Rui Silva assumes Portugal’s favoritism in the World Cup qualifying playoff – Handball

This Thursday, in Guimarães, Portugal faces Bosnia and Herzegovina, in the first leg of the qualifying playoff for the 2025 World Cup, with the second leg taking place on Sunday. Portuguese players recognize that Portugal is the favorite to guarantee qualification, after the disappointment of not going to the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.

“All the progress we have made has placed us at this level that allows us to assume favoritism in these qualifications. But, when we assume this favoritism we have to have the responsibility to show it on the field. We have been able to live with that responsibility, I believe we are prepared” , said Rui Silva this morning after the training held at the Pavilhão Desportivo Unit Vimaranense, warning, however, of the opponent’s ambition.

“We expect a strong Bosnia, who had a European Championship less than expected. We believe they want to cause surprise, but the most important thing is to be prepared and focused so as not to let ourselves be surprised”, the FC Porto central defender also highlighted.

The importance of having a good game in Guimarães. “The second game away doesn’t complicate the mission, if we play a good game at home, if we guarantee a good advantage, we can believe. We are a team that will go anywhere and fight for victory, that’s what we’ll look for in Bosnia. The bigger we are the advantage, the better. Even if we win by one, we will continue to believe because we will go anywhere to win.

João Gomes is integrated and happy
João Gomes (Sporting) was called up to the national team to replace Kiko Costa, absent due to physical problems. “I have integrated myself into the group quite well. This will be my first official game for the national team, I feel happy to be here and to be able to help the team achieve qualification”, he confessed, praising the working group. “It’s special, there are many players that I have always admired, that I got used to watching on television.”

For the full-back, “it’s normal for there to be some anxiety” in his debut for the main team, but he also says he feels that “this has been a long-time wish and I hope I can live up to expectations”. “I believe that this opportunity can open the doors for me to go to the World Cup. We have many excellent right-backs, theoretically I came to replace Kiko Costa, but we can all be here. I think I can be at that stage.

Regarding this Thursday’s game, João Gomes says it is “very important” to achieve a good result in Guimarães. “In addition to wanting to win, we want to have good feelings about a good victory in the round so that we can be in a better situation for Bosnia. We will always want another goal to lead because we know that Bosnia has a new coach, who can change the way they play “.