Portugal beats Switzerland 33-28 in Porto, taking the lead in the EHF Euro Cup

Portugal take the opening win

Portugal opened their EHF Euro Cup campaign on Wednesday, 4 November, beating Switzerland 33-28 at the Pavilhão Rosa Mota in Porto. Portugal led 16-11 at half-time and built a seven-goal gap early in the second half, after which the hosts controlled the rest of the game. The win leaves Portugal top of the competition after the first round. In the other match of the day, Denmark and Spain drew 28-28. The competition brings together the three 2028 European Championship hosts, Portugal, Spain and Switzerland, with the reigning European champions Denmark.

How the match turned

Switzerland started the better of the two sides, took the lead three times in the first ten minutes and at one stage led 8-5. Goalkeeper Nikola Portner made several strong saves in that opening phase. Portugal then reacted, moved in front and kept adding to their lead. Portugal were missing injured goalkeeper Diogo Rêma and back Martim Costa, while Switzerland were without Lenny Rubin and Manuel Zehnder. Switzerland briefly cut the deficit to four goals after the break but could not get any closer. SRF pointed to poor conversion of chances as the main problem for Andy Schmid's side. Ten goals in the match came from seven-metre throws, four for Portugal and six for Switzerland.

Scorers and tributes

Francisco Tavares led Portugal with seven goals in his return to the national team, while Kiko Costa and Salvador Salvador each scored six. Salvador, who hit all six of his shots, was named player of the match and also anchored Portugal's defence. For Switzerland, Joël Willecke was the top scorer with eight goals, playing for Bundesliga club Lemgo Lippe.

Joël Willecke (Switzerland)8

Francisco Tavares (Portugal)7

Kiko Costa (Portugal)6

Salvador Salvador (Portugal)6

Joël Willecke (Switzerland)

8 goals

Francisco Tavares (Portugal)

7 goals

Kiko Costa (Portugal)

6 goals

Salvador Salvador (Portugal)

6 goals

Data from the article text

Before the match Portugal honoured several figures from the national team. Rui Silva received a prize for 150 caps and António Areia for 100. Fábio Magalhães, the record appearance holder for Portugal's senior side, received a commemorative shirt for reaching 150 caps in 2021, and he has 194 games for Portugal. Tiago Rocha, who played 143 matches for the national team, was also honoured. Francisco Costa received the trophy for Europe's best young player in the 2025/2026 season.

Reactions and fixtures ahead

Portugal coach Paulo Pereira said the side had to change its plan during the match and found solutions with other players.

“I had to change some things from the initial plan, but we found solutions with other players. We also adjusted some things in defence.”

Pereira also stressed the importance of fan support ahead of the 2028 European Championship, saying:

“We need this link with our public to be very strong. When 2028 comes, we will still have to be closer to one another.”

For Switzerland, the match was the first since missing out on World Championship qualification in the spring, and it ended in defeat. Portugal face Spain in Vigo on Sunday, 8 November, at 17:00 Portuguese time. The same day Switzerland meet Denmark in Zurich's Swiss Life Arena, with more than 11,000 tickets already sold for what would be a new spectator record for Swiss handball. SRF will show that match live on SRF zwei from 15:55. Two further games against Spain follow in March.