Match Preview
All things considered, Portugal have shown slightly more throughout the tournament, most notably by being the only team to defeat Denmark. They also beat Spain in a friendly match just before the European Championship, so I am backing them to win this Iberian derby.
Red Fury Finishing Strong After Disappointing Main Round
Spain have lost their chance to compete for the European Championship 2025 semifinals due to a poor start in the Main Round and currently sit bottom of Group 1 with just two points.
After a narrow 35-34 defeat to Norway, the Red Fury were unable to offer much resistance against tournament hosts Denmark in their second match, suffering a 36-31 loss. Alex Dujshebaev prevented a heavier defeat, finishing the game with six goals.
However, Spain showed pride in their most recent outing, producing a major upset by defeating heavily favored France 36-32 on Monday to claim consolation points. Ian Barrufet was the standout performer, starring with 10 goals.
Portugal Showing More Consistency Than Spain
Like their upcoming opponents, Portugal are also out of the semifinal race, but their overall performance has been slightly better, currently sitting in 5th place with three points.
After carrying over two points thanks to a sensational 31-29 victory over Denmark, the Portuguese were beaten in their first two Main Round appearances, losing 32-30 to Germany and suffering a heavy 46-38 defeat against France. Even Francisco Costa’s high-level individual displays were not enough to secure points in those matches.
Yesterday, Portugal were involved in a dramatic clash against Norway, with both sides needing a win to keep their semifinal hopes alive. The high-intensity encounter ended in a 35-35 draw, eliminating both teams.