Portugal kick off the 2023 with the win over Poland in Hala Gier Sportowych Poznań in the Stage one of the European Championships Teams. In Poland winners needed four matches.
Marcos FREITAS opened the duel with the victory over Samuel KULCZYCKI (11:8 11:7 11:4) before Milosz REDZIMSKI leveled with the almost equally fast victory over Joao GERALDO (11:8 11:8 11:9).
After that there were no more fast finishes but neither the wins for the hosts . Artur GRELA stretched Diago CARVALHO to full distance (11:13 11:9 7:11 4:12 3:11) and KULCZYCKI also pushed GERALDO to the limits (8:11 6:11 11:5 12:10 7:11).
“It was the best way for our team to start this year. We did the job and the most important was to get the victory today. We showed a good team spirit and we will keep this attitude for the next match on 9th against Denmark ” said GERALDO.
On Monday Portugal will meet Denmark in Roskilde and on Thursday Denmark is coming to Gdansk to play against Poland.
“We are very happy with this victory. It was very tough match but the atmosphere in the fully packed venue in Poland was very good. It was interesting to play in Poznan. This is our start in the European Championships and it is very important that we won the away match. The next one in Denmark will be also close and we will play again as