2025 World Cup: Portugal in the semi-finals of the handball world championship for the first time in its history

The joy of the Portuguese after their victory against Germany. MAXPPP

Portugal has written a page in its history and in handball by qualifying for the first time in its history for the semi-finals of a World Cup (31-30) after its victory against Germany after extra time (31-30), Wednesday January 29 in Oslo.

The Portuguese, who scored the winning goal through Martim Costa four seconds from the end, will face Denmark, the reigning triple world champion, on Friday.

They continued their incredible run in the World Cup, where they are still undefeated after having eliminated Norway (31-28), Sweden (37-37) and Spain (35-29), three major handball nations in recent years, before the final phase.

200% Deposit Bonus up to €3,000 180% First Deposit Bonus up to $20,000

Victorious extra time

And now the Mannschaft, finalists at the Olympic Games six months ago, while the Portuguese's best result so far was sixth place, achieved at Euro 2020.

Their qualification was also unquestioned on Wednesday: they led almost from start to finish (13-9 at half-time), before equalizing (26-26) through Pedro Portela 25 seconds from the end of regulation time.

They then took the lead from the start of extra time, concluded by Martim Costa (4/12), one of the key men of the selection with his brother “Kiko” (8/15) and the pivot Victor Iturriza (7/8).

The Portuguese will now challenge Denmark. The Danes, three-time defending champion, qualified for the semi-finals after a clear victory against Brazil (33-21). Brazil, present in the final phase for the first time in its history, held out for around thirty minutes (12-15 at half-time) before giving up against Emil Nielsen's teammates, once again decisive in goal (15/33, 45% success).