France Dominates Portugal in EHF EURO 2024 Final Match: A Closer Look

Portugal's Last Stand in EHF EURO 2024

For Portugal, their journey at the EHF EURO 2024 came to an end with a decisive defeat against France, marking their final match in the tournament held in Basel. Despite knowing their fate before this encounter, the Portuguese team showcased determination, completing only their second major championship appearance since their debut in 2008.

Match Highlights

• Final Score: Portugal 16 - 28 France (Half-time: 8-16)
• Portugal initiated the scoring with a goal from Patrícia Lima, but soon fell behind after a 2:2 tie in the fifth minute. France quickly established a significant lead.
• By the 13th minute, France had surged ahead with a score of 10 to 2, extending their lead to eight goals by half-time.
• France displayed a 62% scoring efficiency at half-time, compared to Portugal's 44%, highlighting a stark contrast in performance. Defensively, France conceded only 16 goals throughout the match.

Key Performances

• Laura Glauser, the goalkeeper for the 2023 World Championship and Paris 2024 All-star Team, achieved a save rate of 46% in the first half.
• Floriane Andre, making her debut at the EHF EURO 2024, recorded a remarkable 50% save rate in the second half and was awarded Player of the Match for her eight saves.

Tactical Insights

France focused on enhancing their fast-break game, a strategy emphasized by coach Sebastien Gardillou. They successfully executed 11 fast breaks against Portugal, underscoring their transition play efficiency. Despite a lower than anticipated goal count from their wings, France's defensive prowess was evident as they did not allow any fast breaks from Portugal.

Conclusion

Despite the loss, Portugal's performance throughout the tournament, including a narrow defeat to Poland (21:22), reflects their growth and determination on the international stage. This match against France serves as a learning experience as they look to improve in future competitions.