The young Portuguese futsal squad is heading into a crucial semi-final match, looking to defend its European title. Standing in their way is a tough Slovenian team, a challenge the coaching staff fully expects. Assistant coach Pedro Cary shared his thoughts, noting the high stakes and the difficulties ahead. Yet, he believes his team has what it takes to reach Sunday’s final.
Cary, a former international player himself, highlighted that only the best four teams remain in the competition. He acknowledged Slovenia’s significant physical power, a trait Portugal doesn’t typically share. “They are very strong physically,” Cary explained, “but we must counter that with our own skill and quality.” This isn’t the first time these two nations have met in a knockout round. Two years ago, in 2023, Portugal defeated Slovenia 3-2 in the semi-finals held in Croatia. That victory paved the way for Portugal to claim the title against Spain.
That past encounter was a hard-fought battle, and Cary foresees a similarly difficult game this time. Portugal will likely dominate ball possession, but they must be smart and precise in their attacks. Defensive discipline will be key to stopping Slovenia’s counter-attacks. The team has shown excellent defensive prowess so far, conceding only one goal while scoring 21 across the tournament. This impressive goal difference reflects their tight defensive strategy.
The journey to the semi-finals in Moldova has been flawless for Portugal. They swept through Group A with perfect records, securing wins against Italy (7-1), Ukraine (4-0), and the host nation (10-0). This dominant performance has set them up as strong contenders.
Star player Rodrigo Monteiro, who has netted seven of the team’s 21 goals, emphasized his focus on team success. He praised Portugal’s “good collective plays and excellent defense.” However, he also issued a warning about Slovenia, a team that finished second in Group B after beating the Czech Republic (2-1) and Turkey (4-1), only falling behind Spain.
The defending champions will face Slovenia on Friday at 8:30 PM, local time in Chisinau. This match follows the other semi-final clash between Spain and Ukraine, which kicks off at 6:00 PM. The highly anticipated final is scheduled for Sunday, also at 8:30 PM.