The Portuguese men’s handball team is gearing up for two crucial matches in the EHF EURO 2026 qualifiers. After a stop in Istanbul, the squad arrived in Constanta, Romania, where they’ll face the host team on May 8 and Israel on May 11. Coach Paulo Jorge Pereira has made some significant changes to the lineup, with young players taking center stage.
New Faces, New Energy
Goalkeeper Pedro Tonicher, currently playing for BM Ciudad Encantada in Spain, has received his first call-up to the senior national team. Right back Joaquim Nazaré, who plays for Skjern Handbold, is the second-most capped player in the current squad with 20 international appearances. Despite being one of the more experienced players, Nazaré is surrounded by a largely youthful team, with many players making their debut or having limited international experience.
Nazaré is confident about the team’s chances, saying the players are “all working hard and the training sessions have been going well.” He sees this as an opportunity to prove himself and show what he can bring to the team. “I feel like I haven’t shown my true potential when I’ve been called up before. I think this is another chance for me to demonstrate who I really am and what I can do for our team.”
The Road to EHF EURO 2026
The EHF EURO 2026 is set to take place from January 15 to February 1, 2026, in Sweden, Denmark, and Norway. The Portuguese team is working hard to qualify, and these upcoming matches are crucial. The team’s 17-player squad includes a mix of experienced players and young talent.
The squad includes:
- Goalkeepers: Gustavo Capdeville (Benfica), Diogo Valério (MarÃtimo), and Pedro Tonicher (BM Ciudad Encantada)
- Wingers: Pedro Oliveira (FC Porto), Gabriel Viana (TuS Ferndorf), Jenilson Monteiro (Limoges HB), and José Ferreira (FC Porto)
- Backcourt players: Gabriel Cavalcanti (Benfica), Joaquim Nazaré (Skjern Handbold), and Diogo Silva (KIF Kolding)
- Central/Lateral players: Miguel Neves (Saint-Raphael VAR HB) and Gustavo Oliveira (Atlético Valladolid)
- Central players: André Sousa (ABC) and André José (ABC)
- Pivots: Ricardo Brandão (FC Porto), Fábio Silva (Benfica), and António Machado (MarÃtimo)
The Portuguese team’s matches against Romania and Israel will be broadcast on RTP2. With a young and motivated squad, Portugal is looking to make a strong impression in the qualifiers.