Portugal (POR)

At the EHF EURO 2020, Portugal won the same number of games, four, as they had done in the previous five editions of the competition they took part in combined. They were the feel-good story, the plucky underdog who takes the competition by storm and wins big, including handing hosts Sweden their biggest home loss in history.

After their sixth place in January 2020, the Portuguese side finished 10th at the IHF Men’s World Championship and came ninth in their first-ever participation at the Olympic Games.

Some would say that is a great resumé for a team that perhaps lacks tradition, but the results surely did not satisfy such a demanding coach as Paulo Pereira. The Portuguese mastermind has consistently reiterated that his team should aim higher and higher, possibly even for a medal. It is unclear whether they really have the credentials for a title run, but everything is possible with a team that wears its heart on its sleeve.

The stage is certainly set for Portugal to climb even higher. Their core of players is even more experienced now, with two years of competing at top level, both in international handball and at club level.

Some players, like Miguel Martins, have switched from Portuguese clubs to European powerhouses and developed even further, while Pereira improved his aggressive style of handball to wreak even more havoc against opponents.

Portugal have a big hole to cover between the goalposts after Alfredo Quintana’s untimely death in February, but every player has said that they will take the court in every game with the late goalkeeper in mind. That emotion could take Portugal a long way.