Portugal host Montenegro in Highlight Match; Croatia aim to book EURO ticket
Round 5 in the Women's EHF EURO 2026 Qualifiers closes with six matches across four groups and with Portugal welcoming Montenegro in the Highlight Match in group 4. In group 1, Croatia face Finland in a direct match for the second place, while already qualified France are away to Kosovo. In group 2, the Netherlands visit Italy and Bosnia and Herzegovina host Switzerland, while Serbia are off to Lithuania in group 5.
Croatia at home will be a very tough match, and we will need to stand up physically to be able to challenge them. It’s very important for the team that we stay in the game for the full 60 minutes, regardless of what the scoreboard says. Every goal will be important. We also hope for tremendous support from our crowd — we will need it against Croatia.
We hope to secure the second place in the group and qualify for the European Championship. We remember the first match against the persistent Finnish team in Sisak — they caused us problems, and we want to avoid a similar situation on their home court. The quality is on our side, but we need to prove it with determination and, of course, on the court.
We have two very challenging matches ahead of us, but they are also opportunities for further development of our national team. We are aware of the level of France and Croatia. At the same time, we are happy to have the opportunity to host a quality national team like France. We have a completely new composition; there are many debutants and it will be a good opportunity for the players to gain experience at the highest European level.
In the first leg against Kosovo, I wanted to work on a defensive setup, more or less effective. For this return match, I would like us to remain stable in the 0-6 formation while trying slightly more daring schemes, in order to win the ball back, disrupt Kosovo’s game organisation, and exploit our speed in open spaces. With the squad having been reshuffled, it is important to take the time to work pragmatically and reassure the players.
We approach this final stage of qualification for the EHF EURO 2026 with the utmost motivation and enthusiasm: the opportunity to bring the women's national team to a new area of the country, like Giuliano in Naples. We want to give all handball fans — and sports enthusiasts in general — the opportunity to share a unique experience that allows us to face a world-class team like the Netherlands and continue the development of our global and comprehensive project, which began in 2024 with the arrival of President Podini.
For us, this is an important period to invest in the future. This week, a number of young, talented players will get the opportunity to play matches at a high level, especially against Bosnia and Herzegovina. That experience is essential for their development and that of the team.
The matches in recent weeks have given us a lot of confidence because we have seen what we are capable of as a team. Now it’s about bringing that energy onto the court in Bosnia. Playing away will be intense and emotional, but these are exactly the kinds of games that help us grow together. If we fight for each other and stick to our game plan, we can achieve an important result.
There is always room for surprises, as all teams prepare tactically and technically for their opponents. Since we have faced each other several times, I believe there could be unexpected elements on both sides. Portugal’s left back will be a demanding challenge, but I am confident that, through video analysis, the team will prepare in the best possible way and deliver what is expected.
This is a very difficult and balanced group, as we had identified from the start. Regarding pressure, we have to get used to dealing with it, because that is how we will grow. Pressure exists because the team has evolved and is starting to be present in decisive matches. It’s another step in our evolution process. We view this naturally and are pleased to feel this responsibility — something that didn’t happen in the past.
We are expected to win, but the toughest and most dangerous matches are those in which the winner is known in advance. We have to be as focused and cautious as possible, because we are facing a ready opponent who wants to prove themself.
These final rounds mathematically won't affect our current situation in the EHF EURO qualifiers. That's why our goal for these games is to prepare for the next competitions which are waiting in the near future.
Of course, we’re not going to give up or not to fight — we will do our best in the court, because it’s a great experience to play against such high-calibre teams and we need to use this opportunity as best as we can. The more often we play against such teams like Serbia and Sweden, the more experience we’ll gain. I believe that the girls will leave their hearts on the court and do everything they can best for each other and for the country.
