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Portugal defeated Sweden 36:35 (16:16) in the 5th-place match, sealing a dramatic win with a last-gasp 9-metre strike and recording their best European Championship placement since 2020.

The game started at high tempo and remained tight throughout the opening phase. Portugal created the first meaningful gap in the 8th minute, moving in front 7:4, but Sweden responded quickly with a 4:1 run to level at 8:8 by the 12th minute. Portugal repeatedly edged ahead by a goal before the break, yet Sweden stayed within touching distance, and the teams went to half-time locked at 16:16.

A similar pattern followed in the second half, though Sweden began brighter and, in the 35th minute, claimed their first two-goal lead of the match. Portugal answered immediately, restoring parity at 21:21 in the 39th minute, and the contest continued goal-for-goal deep into the closing stretch.

In the 53rd minute Sweden surged to +2 (30:28), a lead that looked decisive at times. But Portugal—true to their gritty mentality—fought back and equalised at 34:34 in the 59th minute to set up a chaotic finale.

After a timeout from Sweden coach Mikael Apelgren, Sweden mishandled their next attack: Jim Gottfridsson saw his shot blocked, and Portugal punished the mistake through a fast break finished by Martim Costa for 35:34. Sweden struck back immediately—Bergendahl made it 35:35 with just six seconds left.

Portugal coach Paulo Pereira used his final timeout, and the decisive moment followed: Martim Costa unleashed a spectacular 9-metre winner to complete a historic victory and secure Portugal’s best EHF EURO finish since 2020 (when they placed 6th). With this result, both Portugal and Sweden secured direct qualification for next year’s World Championship.

Martim Costa led all scorers with nine goals and was named Player of the Match, while Lukas Sandell netted eight for Sweden.

Portugal – Sweden 36:35 (16:16)

Portugal: Valerio (1 save), Capdeville (9 saves); Iturriza 4, Salvador 4, Silva 3, Neves, Fernandes 1, Branquinho 3, Areia 1, Francisco Costa 7, Ferreira, Gomes 2, Martim Costa 9, Frade 2, Brandao, G. Cavalcanti

Sweden: Palicka (7 saves), Appelgren (1 save); Carlsbogard 1, Darj, Möller 2, Pettersson 1, Karlsson 1, Wanne 5, Claar 4, Gottfridsson 5, Roganovic 4, Mansson, Aspenbäck, Bergendahl 2, Sandell 8, Johansson 1