Portugal qualifies for Women’s EuroBasket for the first time!
The “Linces” made history and put Portugal’s name on the final stage of a European Women’s Basketball Championship for the first time. EuroBasket 2025 will feature the Portuguese team, which has rightfully secured a place among the 16 best teams on the Old Continent. The last qualifying round, which took place at the Pavilhão Multidesportivo Dr. Mário Mexia in Coimbra, and the historic victory over the mighty Serbia, greatly contributed to this historic achievement (57-40).
After beating Ukraine 60-57 last Thursday (February 6), the “Linces” had only themselves to rely on to confirm their historic qualification for the final phase of Women’s EuroBasket 2025, but they were up against the giants of Serbia. The Balkan team, ranked 9th in the world and 4th in Europe, was the ultimate challenge for Ricardo Vasconcelos and his charges. Expectations for qualification had always been high and the big challenge was to beat Serbia in order to secure one of the four best second-place finishes.
With the pavilion full, the National Team didn’t falter and from the moment the ball was in the air you could see the defensive intensity that Portugal was putting into the game. The aggressiveness and bravery of “As Linces” was essential from the first minute of the game. Portugal’s defensive ability allowed them to control Serbia, who never managed to take a lead of more than seven points. Even with a low score, and clearly with the defense outmatching the offense, the national team was able to overcome all the adversity that came their way. Only victory mattered for qualification, and even with the threat of Hungary and Slovenia – who were also fighting for a second place that could lead to qualification – Portugal went into the break with a one-point lead (28-27).
On their return from the locker room, the portuguese didn’t let up and came out on top again, slightly increasing the difference on the scoreboard (42-38). However, the Portuguese team’s ambition came to the fore in the last ten minutes of the match, with Portugal showing why they deserve a place among Europe’s elite! The national team made no bones about it and completely annihilated Balkan hopes by limiting Serbia to just two points throughout the final quarter. The Portuguese team’s defensive prowess once again came to the fore and was the guarantee of a historic victory that definitively sealed qualification for this summer’s EuroBasket.
The most valuable player of the match was Márcia da Costa, with 15 points, six rebounds, three assists, five steals and a blocked shot, well seconded by Maria Kostourkova, who added six points, eight rebounds, two assists and a steal. The Portuguese’ captain, Sofia da Silva, contributed six points, four rebounds, three assists and four steals, while Maria João Correia added 12 points, two rebounds, four assists and two steals.
The unprecedented Portuguese presence will take place at the 40th edition of the women’s EuroBasket, which will be played between June 18 and 29 in the Czech Republic, Germany, Italy and Greece.
