The Portuguese team, playing at home, at Pavilhão dos Pousos, in Leiria, started the game well and after scoring two goals (2-0), with a ‘double’ from Iderlindo Gomes, increased it to four (8-4 ) after 15 minutes.
Portugal, with Pedro Marques ‘closing’ the goal and launching the attack, always stopped the opponents’ intentions to restore the difference and reached the break by winning 9-7.
Portugal, led by coach Danilo Ferreira, entered the second half determined to extend their lead and scored six goals after five minutes of play at 13-7.
The defensive cohesion earned its highest marks in the first 10 minutes of the second half, in which Portugal did not concede a goal and in which the advantage through the ‘hot hand’ of Ricardo Queirós, regarded as the match’s MVP, increased to an insurmountable 15- 7.
With almost five minutes to play, Portugal remained firmly in the lead and did not let victory slip away, ‘closing’ 18-10 to become World and European Wheelchair Handball champions, in an event that had its first edition in Leiria.
Source: DN
