Portugal and Israel prepare in Serbia for crucial qualification matches

To find the best possible form ahead of their EHF EURO 2014 qualification matches, Portugal's and Israel's national teams have spent a few days in a training camp near the Serbian capital Belgrade.

Both teams resided at the "Kovilovo" Sport Center where the Serbian team was based during its EHF EURO 2012 campaign that ended with the silver medal.

Portugal will meet Switzerland in Group 1 on 4 and 7 April, while Israel face Montenegro in Group 2 on 3 and 6 April.

Portugal's head coach Rolando Freitas and his players worked hard to prepare for the upcoming matches which could put them closer to their first EHF EURO event since 2006.

"The conditions are very good here in Serbia. We are happy for the opportunity to work together with the Israeli national team.

"They were good rivals with young and talented players. Our test match (26:26) was a useful part of the whole preparation. It was a good test for us," Freitas said before his team headed for St. Gallen where it will meet the Swiss squad on Thursday.

Portugal lost their first EHF EURO 2014 qualifier against Spain (20:34), but won the second one against FYR Macedonia (32:25).

"It’s not easy to say what our chances are to qualify for Denmark. We have to wait until June and the last matches in our group. Our way of thinking is to go step by step.

"The two matches against Switzerland are very important, maybe crucial. I can’t say that we are favourites," Freitas explained.

"Of course, they (FYR Macedonia) are still favourites to qualify for Denmark. (But) they aren’t in my focus right now. However, I am very happy that after the two opening matches everything depends on us."

Freitas also commented on the match between Portugals group rivals Spain and FYR Macedonia.

"Spain are clear favourites in the two matches, but they have to survive the 'hot atmosphere' in Skopje.

"I really don’t know how big the impact will be that FYR Macedonia have a new head coach. Does he bring something new or will the team keep the game?"

Israel want to gain more experience

Israel's men's national team prepared simultaneously to Portugal for its two matches against Montenegro.

After having lost the opening two rounds of the EHF EURO 2014 qualification, the final tournament in Denmark is already very hard to reach, but head coach Dragan Djukić and his international coaching staff continue to make the future for handball in the country look brighter.

"I am really satisfied with all we have done here. Conditions were on a high level so our only duty was to focus on handball and on Montenegro," Dragan Djukic said.

"The Montenegrins are absolute favourites in the next two matches, but we will try to surprise in the second match next weekend.

"That will be a tough job for us. Montenegro are very close to qualify for the Men’s EHF EURO 2014. They also have the negative experience from two years ago (when Israel beat Montenegro 29:24 in the EHF EURO 2012 qualification), so it is normal that they will be highly motivated.

"We won’t be under pressure, that could be our chance. This philosophy brought us good performances against Germany and Czech Republic.

"The winning days lie ahead of this young team."