The electric atmosphere at the Ergo Arena in Gdansk, Poland, was palpable as the home team took to the court, their fans undeterred by their disappointing 25th-place finish at the 2025 World Championship. In fact, they had every reason to believe they could pull off an upset against Portugal, right up until the dying seconds of the match. But Portugal’s national team managed to snatch a draw, 36-36, with a completely revamped lineup, forced by a string of injuries. Coach Paulo Pereira must have breathed a sigh of relief when António Areia scored that all-important goal just as the final whistle was about to blow.
“We only had two natural center-backs available for this game, due to the injury crisis,” Pereira reflected, “so we had to get creative with LuÃs Frade and Gilberto Duarte, who had an outstanding game alongside João Gomes. We ended up shifting some players out of position in defense, which led to some difficulties, particularly in recovery. We knew all about Poland’s strengths, and I think we can improve our defensive performance in the next game. As the tournament progresses, I’m confident we can tweak our defense and get better.” The coach’s assessment was level-headed, yet optimistic, given the challenging circumstances his team faced.
Pereira was quick to praise his team’s attacking prowess, though: “Overall, I think our offense was spectacular, even with players playing out of position. And once again, I’m incredibly proud of this group of athletes, who always show up to fight when it matters.” The coach’s admiration for his players’ resilience and adaptability was evident, and his words highlighted the team’s never-say-die attitude.
Home Advantage
When asked about the sold-out crowd in Odivelas, Pereira believed that the Portuguese fans could make all the difference in the qualification stakes: “Here in Gdansk, we played against 9,000 passionate Polish fans, so our 2,000 fans back home need to create even more pressure on the Polish team. If they do, I’m confident we’ll qualify in Odivelas.” The coach’s rallying cry underscored the importance of home support in the upcoming match, and the potential impact it could have on the team’s performance.
Key Takeaways
- Portugal’s national team secured a thrilling 36-36 draw against Poland, despite a depleted lineup due to injuries.
- Coach Paulo Pereira praised his team’s attacking display and the players’ ability to adapt to new positions.
- The coach believes that the home crowd in Odivelas can play a crucial role in the team’s qualification chances.