Portugal vs Kosovo

Portugal controlled proceedings from the opening exchanges. Captain Leonardo Anastácio directed the attack from the back court, while a disciplined 6–0 defensive shape limited Kosovo’s options from distance. The Portuguese back line, which had struggled against Egypt’s physicality in the opener, looked far more settled against a Kosovan side lacking the same first-line firepower.

Quick transitions caught the Kosovan rearguard out of position on several occasions in the first half, and Portugal built a lead that forced their opponents into chasing the game after the interval.

Kosovo showed greater intent after the break, finding more success from the wings, but Portugal always kept the visitors at arm’s length. Every Kosovan mini-revival was met with a composed Portuguese response. Bernardo Almeida, starting again in goal, produced several important saves to deny Kosovo any sustained momentum.

The decisive phase came midway through the first half. With the score still within reach inside the opening quarter of an hour, Portugal unleashed a 5–1 run that stretched the gap to a commanding margin. Kosovo called a time-out to stem the momentum, but Portugal carried that cushion into the break and never allowed the deficit to dip below six goals in the second period.

Leonardo Anastácio (Portugal) — the captain and tournament flag-bearer for Team Portugal was the heartbeat of the attack once again. His vision, range of passing and finishing from the back court made him the focal point of everything Portugal did well. A strong candidate for player of the tournament if Portugal progress.

Diogo Campos (Portugal) — the left-winger followed up his heroics against Italy with another composed performance. His movement off the ball created space for himself and teammates, and his finishing from the wing kept the Kosovan defence pinned back.

Bernardo Almeida (Portugal) — the goalkeeper, who also started against Italy in the 31–30 win, delivered another solid outing. His saves in the first half, when the game was still in the balance, prevented Kosovo from building confidence.

For Kosovo, their goalkeeper made several point-blank saves to keep the final deficit respectable, but the team struggled to generate sustained attacking pressure against Portugal’s organised defence.

Portugal’s eight-goal winning margin (33–25) reflected a game they controlled from start to finish. The 33 goals scored was Portugal’s highest output of the group stage — up from 27 against Egypt and 31 against Italy — and suggests the attack grew in confidence as the tournament progressed.

Kosovo conceded at least 39 goals in their first two group matches (39 vs Italy, 42 vs Egypt) so holding Portugal to 33 represented a relative defensive improvement. However, with 21 goals scored across three matches (23, 21, 25), Kosovo lacked the attacking firepower to trouble Group A’s stronger sides.

Portugal finish their Group A programme with two wins (vs Italy 31–30, vs Kosovo 33–25) and one defeat (vs Egypt 27–38), collecting four points. Egypt also have four points from wins over Portugal (38–27) and Kosovo (42–21), with their final group match against Italy scheduled for Thursday evening (18:00 local time).

• If Egypt beat or draw with Italy: Egypt top the group, Portugal finish second — Portugal advance to the semi-finals.
• If Italy beat Egypt: A three-way tie on four points, resolved by goal difference or head-to-head among tied teams.

Kosovo exit the group stage without a point and will play in the 5th–8th place classification matches, scheduled for 29 August at the Palazzetto dello Sport.

Portugal did what was required: beat a weaker opponent with professionalism and control. This U23 side has grown visibly across three matches in five days, from the heavy opening loss to Egypt, through the composure shown against Italy, to this disciplined, clinical performance against Kosovo. Whether that progression earns a semi-final berth hinges on the Egypt-Italy result later tonight.

Kosovo’s first Mediterranean Games handball campaign ends without a win, but competing against Egypt, Italy and Portugal at senior level provides valuable experience for a developing programme.