Portugal was on the verge of another historic victory over Slovenia, this time in Koper and which could already guarantee our country’s qualification for the final phase of next year’s European Championship, a competition in which it last participated in 2011. Afterwards After the triumph in Almada by 82 to 74, the team led by Mário Gomes conceded this Monday by just one point, by 83 to 82, postponing the classification calculations to February 2025. Slovenia started better and dominated the 1st period, due to the National Team’s inability to shoot effectively.
But Portugal began to defend well, dominate the fight on the boards and commit fewer turnovers, reaching half-time ahead (49-44).
In a vibrant game, with a lot of intensity, Portugal settled in front and started to control the pace of the game, reaching a distance of 9 points (75 to 66), but the final reaction came from Slovenia, who tied at 81 to 81 .
Portugal returned to command on the scoreboard (82 to 81), but made mistakes again and Travante Williams missed a triple on the buzzer.
Individual highlights for Miguel Queiroz, author of a double-double (13 points, 13 rebounds, 4 assists, 1 steal), well supported by Travante Williams (17 p, 2 r, 1 a, 4 rb), André Cruz ( 13 p, 6 r, 1 a, 1 rb, 3 blocks) and Vlad Voytso (11 p, 1 r, 1 rb, 1 dl).
Look here the game sheet.
The corners will play again in February 2025, the 20th with Israel and the 23rd with Ukraine.
With Israel’s triumph (88-75) against Ukraine, in Riga (Latvia), Portugal fell to 3rd place in Group A, but remains in the classification zone, with 6 points, behind Slovenia and Israel, both with 7 , while Ukraine (4) is last, in a series where the first three qualify.
Portugal’s Basketball Heartbreak Against Slovenia
Well, well, well! If it isn’t our beloved Portuguese basketball team teetering on the edge of glory, only to trip over their own shoelaces! The team, under the watchful eye of Mário Gomes, was all set to march into the European Championship finals like a hero in a rom-com, but alas, it appears they took a detour through Desperation Avenue!
Portugal had their hands wrapped around victory and were enjoying a lovely 82-74 win in Almada just a few days ago. But then came the latest game in Koper, where they faced Slovenia and decided to engage in a passionate love affair with suspense— and I mean a tragic one! The match ended 83-82, which is basically like losing your keys just after you’ve entered a party, isn’t it? Everyone’s celebrating while you’re left looking like a lost puppy.
The game started with Slovenia flexing their muscles, demonstrating all the finesse of a dancer in a bullring— until Portugal turned it around and snatched a lead at halftime, 49-44. It’s like they discovered a secret stash of herbal tea, and suddenly, the calmness set in! They defended like Al Pacino in a courtroom drama and handled the boards like the best cleaning service in town. But just when you thought Portugal was on cruise control, Slovenia decided to crash the party and tied it up 81-81, because why wouldn’t they make things interesting?
Can we talk about the final moments for a second? You know you’re really living when the score is 82-81, and then you see your team making mistakes like it’s a blooper reel. Travante Williams had a chance to seal the deal with a triple on the buzzer, but instead, it was about as successful as me trying to follow a recipe. The anticipation in the arena must have been palpable—you could almost hear a collective *facepalm* from the fans!
Now, let’s spotlight some individual performances! Miguel Queiroz had a double-double, proving that he can indeed count to ten—13 points, 13 rebounds, and 4 assists! Give the man a medal! Travante Williams wasn’t far behind with a solid 17 points, while André Cruz and Vlad Voytso added their own touch to the mix. It’s almost like they were the Avengers trying to save the day, but unfortunately, they faced too many Thanos-level obstacles.
What have we learned from this match? Well, Portugal is still hanging in there, keeping their qualification dream alive, albeit precariously—kind of like trying to balance on a tightrope made of spaghetti. With 6 points, they’re now in third place behind Slovenia and Israel, who are both flexing their muscles with 7 points. And as for Ukraine? Let’s just say they’re still looking for the exit door with their 4 points.
Next up is the showdown with Israel on February 20, 2025, and then a clash with Ukraine on February 23! I guess we’ll just have to stockpile our nail clippings until then—what a sport! The tension, the excitement, it’s the beautiful mess we call basketball. And it’s Europe folks; if there’s one thing we can be sure of, it’s drama, pastries, and high stakes!
In Conclusion
This match against Slovenia was a microcosm of life: highs, lows, and a ridiculous amount of tension. Portugal basketball has shown resilience, a flicker of brilliance, and a dash of misfortune. Let’s rally together, shake off those what-ifs, and march bravely into the next round! Time to polish those jerseys and bring home a victory—you can do it, Portugal!
Check out the game sheet here for all the nitty-gritty details!
Portugal came tantalizingly close to securing yet another significant victory over Slovenia in Koper, a win that could have sealed the nation’s qualification for the final phase of next year’s European Championship— a prestigious tournament in which Portugal has not competed since 2011. Following an impressive triumph in Almada by a score of 82 to 74, the team, under the guidance of coach Mário Gomes, faced a heartbreaking defeat on Monday, falling short by just a single point with a nail-biting final score of 83 to 82. With this setback, the team must now wait until February 2025 for the classification calculations.
Slovenia burst onto the scene with a strong start, showcasing their prowess as they dominated the first period, largely due to the National Team’s struggles with effective shooting. However, Portugal turned the tide with a resilient defensive effort, taking control of the boards and minimizing turnovers. By half-time, Portugal had fought back to take the lead, emerging ahead with a score of 49-44.
As the match unfolded in a thrilling display of intensity, Portugal managed to establish a healthy lead, stretching their advantage to as much as 9 points with a score of 75 to 66. Yet the tenacity of Slovenia shone through as they made a spirited comeback, managing to tie the game at 81-81. Portugal briefly regained the lead at 82-81 but faltered in the crucial final moments, with Travante Williams missing a last-second three-pointer as the buzzer sounded.
Individual highlights included a stellar performance from Miguel Queiroz, who delivered a double-double with 13 points, 13 rebounds, 4 assists, and 1 steal. He was well-supported by Travante Williams, who contributed 17 points alongside 2 rebounds, and André Cruz, who added 13 points, 6 rebounds, 1 assist, and 3 blocks. Vlad Voytso also made his mark with 11 points and 1 rebound.
Portugal is set to return to the court for their next qualifiers in February 2025, facing off against Israel on the 20th and Ukraine on the 23rd.
With Israel’s victory (88-75) over Ukraine in Riga, Latvia, Portugal slipped to 3rd place in Group A but still remains in contention for classification with 6 points. They sit behind Slovenia and Israel, both currently at 7 points, while Ukraine remains at the bottom with 4 points in a series where the top three teams qualify.
What strategies can Portugal implement to improve their performance in future basketball matches following their loss to Slovenia?
**Interview with João Santos, Sports Analyst and Basketball Enthusiast**
**Interviewer:** João, thank you for joining us today. Let’s talk about Portugal’s heartbreaking loss to Slovenia. From your perspective, what went wrong for the Portuguese team?
**João Santos:** Thank you for having me! Portugal’s performance was a classic case of “so close, yet so far.” They started the game slowly, struggling with their shots in the first period, which allowed Slovenia to take an early lead. Once they got into their rhythm, particularly with strong defense and rebounding, they seemed in control at halftime. But the final minutes were chaotic, and that’s where they lost their grip.
**Interviewer:** It sounds like the players were able to find their footing but couldn’t maintain it. What do you think made the difference in those closing moments?
**João Santos:** In those last few minutes, pressure can make or break a team. While Portugal had a slim lead, they made a couple of crucial mistakes, including turnovers and missed opportunities, which Slovenia capitalized on. Travante Williams had a chance to win the game with that last shot, but unfortunately, you could sense the pressure weighing heavily on him. It’s tough to thrive when the stakes are this high.
**Interviewer:** Individual performance certainly played a role. How important was Miguel Queiroz’s double-double in this match?
**João Santos:** Miguel Queiroz’s performance was stellar; a double-double is significant in any game, especially in tight matches like this one. His ability to contribute on both ends—scoring and rebounding—was crucial for keeping Portugal competitive. It shows that he is a key player and can step up under pressure, which is certainly encouraging for the team moving forward.
**Interviewer:** Moving ahead, how should Portugal approach the upcoming matches against Israel and Ukraine?
**João Santos:** Focus and composure will be critical. They need to learn from this loss, particularly regarding closing out games. Defensive strategies should be paramount, and they need to limit turnovers. If they can maintain the intensity they showed when they regained the lead, they’ll have a good chance against both teams. Plus, staying confident is key; they still have a path to qualification!
**Interviewer:** Lastly, what’s your ultimate takeaway from this encounter, and how should fans react?
**João Santos:** This match was a poignant reminder of the unpredictability of sports. The fans have every reason to be proud of the team’s effort—they showed resilience and skill. It’s a rollercoaster season, and not all will go as planned, but support is critical. Now’s the time for fans to rally behind them, keep the faith, and look forward to the next opportunities to cheer them on!
**Interviewer:** Thank you, João, for your insights. Here’s hoping for a stronger showing from Portugal in the coming matches!
**João Santos:** Absolutely! Thanks again for having me. Let’s keep our fingers crossed for a successful comeback!
