Portugal stuns champions and shakes the European championship
A night that changed the group
Few inside Jyske Bank Boxen expected the evening to end in celebration for the visitors. Denmark entered the match as reigning world champions and heavy favorites, but Portugal overturned those expectations with a disciplined and confident performance.
Portugal won 31,29 on Tuesday night, a result that immediately altered the standings and momentum in the group. According to TV 2 Sport, the victory secured Portugal first place and allowed them to carry two points into the main round, a significant advantage at this stage of the tournament.
Winning against history
The result carried added weight given the recent history between the two teams. Portugal had beaten Denmark only once in seven previous meetings and Denmark had gone a long stretch without defeat.
Backcourt player Salvador Salvador described the significance of the moment in an interview with TV 2 Sport. “It is a really good feeling. It was a deserved win. We did everything right against the world champions on their home court.”
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He pointed to the performance as evidence of Portugal’s broader development, noting that the team’s belief and mentality have grown alongside its results on the international stage.
Defensive discipline sets the tone
One of the key figures on the night was Martim Costa, who finished with nine goals and consistently troubled the Danish defense. Costa highlighted Portugal’s defensive structure as a decisive factor, especially before halftime.
According to TV 2 Sport, Portugal conceded just 11 goals in the first half, a statistic that underlined their control against one of the tournament’s most potent attacks. Costa later described the match as a rare and memorable experience, played in front of a loud and engaged crowd despite being on away ground.
Pressure shifts after the upset
The outcome has reshaped the landscape of the championship. Portugal now moves into the main round with confidence and points in hand, while Denmark faces immediate pressure in its next fixture.
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Portugal will open the main round against Germany on Thursday. Denmark, meanwhile, is set for a demanding clash with France the same day, a match that could determine whether the defending world champions regain their footing or face a deeper struggle for progression.
Sources: TV 2 Sport, Ritzau Scanpix
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