Hungry Polish team take two points at Portugal

Poland have avoided an early elimination in the Women's EHF EURO 2014 Qualification.

After they had conceded two defeats in the first rounds, the team of coach Kim Rasmussen beat Portugal 24:17 in a Group 3 encounter on Wednesday night.

Following Czech Republic's defeat against Montenegro on Wednesday afternoon, the distance between the two teams is only two points – and can even get equalised on Sunday, if Poland beat Portugal at home and the Czechs lose at Montenegro.

The World Championship 2013 semi-finalists were led by team captain Karolina Kudlacz, who scored seven goals and Karolina Semeniuk-Olchawa (five goals).

Furthermore the Polish defence perfectly adapted to the Portuguese attack, in which only Maria Ines Silva Pereira proved her strength with six goals.

The match was equal until 5:5, then Poland forged ahead thanks to their more powerful attack and because they conceded only two goals in the last 13 minutes of the first half.

Even a time out could not stop the downswing of the hosts, which were down by four goals already at the break (7:11).

The Polish hunger was not stilled yet, as they allowed only three Portuguese goals in the first ten minutes of the first half.

As the hosts' defence lacked power and precision, the visiting team easily made their way to decide the one-sided encounter when they led 18:10 lead in the 40th minute.

When Sandra Santiago received a red card in minute 48 (followed by another disqualification of Corte Ascensao nine minutes later), the hosts were weakened even further, but successfully tried everything not get punished with a double-figured defeat.

Knowing that the deal was sealed, Poland decelerated, rotated and did not play with full spirit and concentration anymore, so Portugal reduced the gap without threatening the eventual victors.