FC Porto Sofarma beat Holstebro, 32-29, at Dragão Caixa, achieving the fourth consecutive victory in the competition and the 19th in the season. The blue and whites now have eight points, and took a giant step towards the quarter-finals of the second main European competition in handball.

Just like a week ago, in Denmark, the match started balanced and the first two goals advantage came only 15 minutes in, with the Dragons making it 7-5, increased shortly after to 8-5 by António Areia. However, the opponent reacted and, thanks mostly to the goals scored by Magnus Bramming, reached the tie five minutes before the break (10-10). The blue and whites ended up resuming the dominance and halftime came with a 13-12 lead.

In the second-half, the team led by Magnus Andersson increased the pace and the advantages, counting on the great saves of Thomas Bauer. On minute 13, Rui Silva made it 23-19, the biggest advantage until then, after Ángel Hernández put the Dragons winning by six (25-19).

Until the end, the Portuguese team controlled the advantage and ended the match with 32-29. Diogo Branquinho, Daymaro Salina, Rui Silva and Fábio Magalhães, all with four goals, were the best for the Dragons.     

FC Porto Sofarma will return to domestic competitions on Wednesday (March 6, 20h00), for matchday 18 (originally postponed) of Andebol 1, against Sporting, at the Pavilhão João Rocha in Lisbon.  

MATCH REPORT

FC PORTO SOFARMA-HOLSTEBRO, 32-29 
EHF Cup, Group C, matchday 4
March 2, 2019
Dragão Caixa, Porto
Referees: Jan Erik Leandersson and Mikael Lindroos (Finland)

FC PORTO SOFARMA: Alfredo Quintana and Thomas Bauer (g.k.); Víctor Iturriza, Leandro Semedo, Yoan Balázquez, Miguel Martins (3), Djibril M’Bengue (2), Ángel Hernández (2), Rui Silva (4), Daymaro Salina (4), Leonel Fernandes (2), Alexis Borges (2), Diogo Branquinho (4), António Areia (1), Miguel Alves (4) and Fábio Magalhães (4)
Coach: Magnus Andersson

HOLSTEBRO: Simon Gade and Sebastian Frandsen (g.k.); Vignir Svavarsson (3), Lars Nielsen (1), Jonathan Würtz (2), Niels Lindholt (1), Jac Karlsson, Magnus Bramming (10), Mikkel Mortensen, John Östlund (5), Malte Justesen (1), Kasper Kildelund (2), Kay Smits, Jonas Porup (3) and Peter Balling (1)
Coach: Patrick Westerholm

At halftime: 13-12