Men's EHF EURO 2026 flash quotes: 27 January
HERNING – Comments from players and coaches at media calls in Men's EHF EURO 2026 main round group I on Tuesday.
PORTUGAL
Paulo Pereira (POR) – Portugal head coach
On Portugal’s mindset:
“The game yesterday, we could have lost it, we could have won it. But I want to keep that we fought all the time, even though we were not in the best physical form, even though it was a tough game. The mentality that we displayed was very good. Of course, this is not the result that we would have wanted, but I really want to think of the positive.”
On still having something to play for in the EHF EURO:
“Of course we are disappointed because we can not go through to the semi-finals, but we really want to make something out of the game we have left. We want to play it as seriously as possible, with as much determination as possible, in order to have the best chances to play the 5/6 place game. It is not entirely in our hands, but we want to have no regrets at the end of the game.”
On the importance of the 5/6 placement match:
“On many regards it is important for us. We can have the best result ever at the EURO, and after a fourth place at the World Championship last year, this would be a satisfaction. We might play against some other great team like Croatia or Iceland, and it would show that Portugal are really among the teams that count in handball right now. Also, if we can qualify for the World Championship directly and not go through some qualifications, it would also be better for us.”
On the tactical options Spain could display against Portugal:
“They have a lot of them, and it’s hard to work on all of them just in one day. As a coach, it’s exciting, because it brings something new. But it is hard, because I think that they do everything really well, especially defensively.
“They have so many options, they have so many ways to trick their opponents that you have to adapt constantly. They change their system a lot, even in the middle of the same game, which is what makes them so strong.”
Salvador Salvador (POR) – left back
On Portugal still having something to play for ahead of the last main round game:
“It’s the ultimate proof that this main round has just been crazy. It has been a rollercoaster of emotions for us. One day, you are out, the next day, you can still play for something, the next day you are out, and then you end up, before the last game, telling yourself that you can still make it the 5/6 game. Every team has been like that, I think, like France and Norway as well. It’s really important for us that we finish well.”
On the motivation for Portugal to win the game against Spain:
“Portugal’s best result at the EURO was sixth, and we said at the start of the preparation that we wanted to do better. So our smallest objective was to qualify for the game for the fifth and sixth game. Here we are, and we can play to finish fifth and for our best result at the EURO. Not only is it important to qualify for the World Championship, but it’s also important for us that we have the best result possible.”
On Spain, their forthcoming opponent:
“They showed against France how much quality they have. They have a lot of tactical options, they can play so many defences and they can really trick their opponents. I think that Abel Serdio is the best line player of the tournament, they have many options on the back court as well, they can play with big players, smaller ones. They will be really dangerous opponents.”
On how to motivate for the next game after playing handball for the past three weeks:
“It’s hard and easy at the same time. We all want to escape from the tournament, have a rest day, as we have been playing every two days for almost a month now.
“But in the meantime, we are still playing handball in front of sold out arenas, we play against the best teams in the world. We are representing our countries, so we have to fight for that. It’s not easy every morning, but we have still something to play for, it’s a good motivation to wake up in the morning.”
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