Portugal loses women’s European final on penalties with Spain – Observer
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The first edition of the Final Four of the European Women’s Futsal, in Gondomar, had an expected Iberian duelo but it turned out to be a match with little history after Spain’s 3-0 opening ten minutes almost ended a match that ended 4-0. Now, three years after this bad memory match, the reunion was born. And João Matos, one of the pillars of the men’s team that is world champion and two-time European champion, set the tone for this duel. “This is a new chapter and a new opportunity. It is not certain that the problem has not been reached but it has not been identified as the success of the man issue.
Portugal loses final to Spain and remains as European runner-up in women’s futsal
“The two already know each other so well and play so many games with each other that sometimes it’s surprising to team up at some point in the game. A mistake or a distraction by an athlete when not focused is sufficient for attestation of resolution. In our modality, especially at this level, cannot offer anything or Spain takes advantage of the logo. There are linked from start to finish and always focused on the game so that the details don’t make the difference against us”, comments coach Luís Conceição in the preview.
It took a while but it was, between 85 shots: Portugal thrashes Hungary and returns to the final of the women’s futsal European
“A competitive attitude is fundamental in our sport. Be intense and compete well is very important, just like enjoying a European Championship final. Then we’ve looked a little bit at the game and the strategy, which can be determined at certain times. today’s workout [sábado] was oriented towards what we have to do, in order to overcome ourselves and be stronger and happier in the struggle of tomorrow [domingo]”, he added, realizing the heavy defeat suffered in 2019.
House painted green and red! ????????#PORESP #Let’s Go WithEverything #WEUROFutsal pic.twitter.com/JiG7HLFiBJ
— Portugal (@selecaoportugal) July 3, 2022
As the semi-final held on Friday is not a barometer to establish a difference to what precedes the first edition of the competition in Spain (9-0 with Ukraine) and Portugal (6-0 with Ukraine) ). However, there was a perception of the weight that anxiety had between the first European final and both That’s where the team started to improve.
What a performance by Silvia 🇪🇸🤩#WEUROFutsal pic.twitter.com/i89R42KBo4
— UEFA Futsal (@UEFAFutsal) July 3, 2022
Spain was again better in the game, until reaching the times of possession of the selection with the conditioning of a high pressure that often did not leave Portugal from their midfield, but five starting players had only one shot with danger from Noelia, in the continuation of a lateral review (5′). However, with the passage of time, Luís Conceição’s group lowered anxiety levels, stabilized and created blatant opportunities for Ana Azevedo: first, after a good high pressure zone, the goalkeeper Sílvia saved for a corner (8′); then, after a great long pass from Pisko, Sílvia got the better (11′); in the third it was even from time to time, a timely deflection in the area after a low pass by Fifo down the right in a good quick transition (12′).
An amazing first half ✅
What are you waiting for in the second period?#WEUROFutsal pic.twitter.com/CQI7aG4e8f
— UEFA Futsal (@UEFAFutsal) July 3, 2022
Portugal had not only almost improved and a lot in relation to the opening minutes of the last final, but also closer to the advantage in the middle of the first half, starting to interpret the match in a different way and not giving the Spanish chances to aim for the goal by Ana Catarina, with a single difficult defense after an error in a departure from the Selection that left Sanz in a 1×0 situation (13′). It would arrive even with the home team’s advantage, at half-time Sílvia also stopped a very dangerous shot by Carla Vanessa (16′), but without two goals in advance: Pisko made it 2-0 in a strategic move that went through Cátia Morgado and Janice’s feet in a throw-in (19′) but, 26 seconds into the break time, Ale de Paz also scored the 2-1 in a great shot from mid-range (20′).
https://t.co/7DZrHXdkp0 pic.twitter.com/708LBtemlL
— UEFA Futsal (@UEFAFutsal) July 3, 2022
Spain had never reached the Final Four; now, Portugal already had 20 minutes to score two. However, that 2-1 before the break changed the type of approach possible for the second half, which had Ana Azevedo again making a dent in the opposing team, Janice having a shot that did not pass in the opening minutes but Spain every once again the siege of Ana Catarina’s minimum maintenance, with three safe interventions in the opening minutes to maintain the national advantage. However, the best opportunity ended up coming from Inês Fernandes’ feet, receiving from Janice fallen on the left for a strong shot that he deflected on the trip before leaving (30′).
The Spanish team didn’t take too long to have their ball on the iron, with Mayte risking the long-range shot that hit the post with Ana beaten (32′). This was the moment when a national goalkeeper considered three times the best in the world would have to start appearing more and that’s what happened in the minute with two big stops for a corner when Portugal was going to lose the ability to estimate game and then put sense what matters and it even ended up in a great goal by Ale de Paz, to consider a second ball after the cut for a first shot (35′).
???????? Celebrations after the Ale de Paz tie…#WEUROFutsal pic.twitter.com/FiTs2n0pcO
— UEFA Futsal (@UEFAFutsal) July 3, 2022
The game would go on with the last minute of the Selection having been the best, especially in a shot by Janice in the last one that went very close to the post. Then, the Selection came in, had a ball in the isolated situation of Ana Azeve in a 2×0 situation with Janice (4′), Pisko suffered a better direct free-kick for the sixth foul (43′) and it was Sanz who scored, in a corner with mark failure (44′). Portugal had five minutes to avoid defeat and 16 seconds into extra time was enough to have another golden opportunity, with Carla Vanessa allowing Sílvia to save another free kick (46′) before another free kick missed by Pisko after the hand of Ana Luján (47′). Luís Conceição4 would go the 5× with Pisko getting the draw near the end (49′), the decision of Portugal, where he scored the four attempts and there were two Spains in three by three Pires.
⏰ 𝗔𝗙𝗧𝗘𝗥 𝗘𝗫𝗧𝗥𝗔 𝗧𝗜𝗠𝗘 ⏰
Sanz and Pisko exchange goals. Next up: penalties 😮#WEUROFutsal
— UEFA Futsal (@UEFAFutsal) July 3, 2022