Paulo Jorge Pereira, national coach: “We are one and a half feet away from the World Cup, but the second game is still missing” – Handball

Paulo Jorge Pereira, Portugal’s national coach, was very pleased with the victory (29-19) over Bosnia in the first leg of the qualifying playoff for next year’s Handball World Championship.

“We’re ‘one and a half’ into the World Cup, but there’s still the second game to go. In these things, we’re never guaranteed until we have them. If we’re too satisfied, we could be surprised. Let’s try to improve some details. It’s now safer to know what let’s find it in tactical terms. All the athletes were excellent”, said the coach in Guimarães, the venue for this first game.

The 10-goal lead is comfortable, but Paulo Jorge Pereira wants the players to be alert for the second game in Bosnia.

“It’s an excellent margin. We have a 10-goal lead. We have to think that there is still a second game to play. There, emotionally, the Bosnians create problems so that we can lose control of the game. Let’s be prepared for that. Let’s see what We can do better about this game. Emotionally, it’s going to be a heavy game. They believe until the end.”

Pedro Portela wants a stronger entry from the team in the second game, but recognizes that the team is close to the main objective.

“Now we need to get into the Bosnian game much better. We have an obligation to pass and be present at the next World Cup. If we are at the same level as we were today, we will certainly achieve a victory and we will be qualified. The 2025 World Cup is just around the corner. That’s enough. -we lose by less than 10, but we have an obligation to beat Bosnia-Herzegovina.”

The next edition of the World Cup will take place in Croatia, Denmark and Norway, in January 2025.