IT'S HISTORICAL! Portugal beat Denmark 31-29 and is in the Main Round of the European Handball Championship. It was the first triumph ever for the men led by Paulo Jorge Pereira against the four-time world champion and Olympic champion of the sport. RECALL THE FILM OF THE MEETING HERE. In Herning, Denmark and in front of almost 15 thousand fans, the “Heróis do Mar” started the match better with António Areia opening the scoring. The team led by Paulo Jorge Pereira managed to face the four-time world champion and Olympic champion, showing security in defense and with an inspired Capdeville between the posts. The goalkeeper who will reinforce Holstebro, from Denmark, ended the first half with six saves and more than 35 percent effectiveness. Portugal only reached the three-goal difference once, five minutes from the end of the first half when Martim Costa once again beat Nielsen. In the meantime, the National Team had already “survived” Iturriza’s two-minute exclusion. However, the balance in the match remained and Denmark managed to react towards the end of the first 30 minutes with goals from Hoxer and Pytlick, who, along with Gidsel, were quite “calm”. The tranquility ended at the beginning of the second half. A stronger entry from the home team, led by Pytlick, gave Denmark a two-goal lead, at 17-15. However, Portugal did not give up and managed to react with Iturriza and the entry of substitute goalkeeper Pedro Tonicher. The 23-year-old goalkeeper made just three saves, but they were all important in preventing Denmark from running away on the scoreboard. What followed was a true spectacle by Francisco Costa and Martim Costa. The two brothers scored nine goals each and once again gave Portugal an advantage that reached three goals (21-24). The World champions were still scared by Lauge, who reduced the score to 28-29 with six minutes to go, but the triumph really belonged to Portugal with two very important goals from António Areia and another from Francisco Costa. Portugal thus beats Denmark for the first time and moves on to the next phase of the European Handball Championship, with two points already won. The Nordics were already qualified for the next phase, but they will not have any points at the start of the Main Round. (Article updated at 9:27 pm)