Portugal closed their European Championship campaign on a high note, defeating Türkiye 24-17 at the Datart Sports Hall in Zlín to secure seventh place. The result also confirmed eighth for Türkiye. Both sides had already booked automatic qualification for the IKF World Korfball Championship 2027 in the Netherlands by finishing inside the top eight, and this final ranking match offered them the chance to end the tournament with a positive result.

Portugal controlled large parts of the contest through sharp combination play and clinical finishing from the penalty spot and running-in positions. Inês Santos led the way with six goals, supported by Celise Ribeiro (four) and three apiece from Catarina Frade and Hugo Fernandes. The Portuguese side recorded six running-in goals and seven penalties, underlining their efficiency once they established attacking rhythm. Captain Tiago Luz and the defensive unit limited Türkiye’s more dangerous medium-range options for long stretches.

Türkiye, coached by Yuksel Abdikoglu, remained competitive and scored freely through medium-range efforts. Ali Furkan Çetin, Eylem Ozel and Sarp İncekara each finished with three goals, while Ezgi Yurdagül added a running-in strike late on. However, Portugal’s greater conversion rate from set pieces and their ability to answer every Turkish surge proved decisive. The final margin of seven goals reflected Portugal’s stronger second-half control after a more even opening period.

Tournament Recap

Portugal – Seventh Place

Portugal progressed steadily through both group phases. After finishing second in their opening group behind Belgium, they reached the upper half of the draw and competed in Group F. A narrow 15-13 loss to Türkiye in the final group match sent them into the places 5–8 bracket. There they suffered a heavy 20-8 defeat to England before bouncing back emphatically against Türkiye in the seventh-place match. The win gives Portugal a solid seventh-place finish, automatic World Championship qualification, and valuable experience against top European sides. Key contributors throughout the tournament included Inês Santos, Celise Ribeiro and the versatile attacking options of Hugo Fernandes and Tiago Ferro under coach Carla Antunes.

Türkiye – Eighth Place

Türkiye enjoyed a strong start, finishing second in Group C behind Germany and then third in Group F. Their 15-13 victory over Portugal in the group phase secured a place among the top eight and guaranteed World Championship qualification. In the classification phase they were edged 16-14 by Catalonia, which sent them into the seventh-place match. Despite a spirited performance and consistent scoring from Ali Furkan Çetin and others, they could not match Portugal’s efficiency on the final day. Eighth place still represents a respectable result for coach Yuksel Abdikoglu’s side, who demonstrated clear progress and secured their ticket to the Netherlands in 2027.

With the top ten European teams automatically qualifying for the IKF World Korfball Championship 2027 (the Netherlands already qualified as hosts), both Portugal and Türkiye can now begin preparations for next year’s global event with the knowledge that their European Championship campaigns have already delivered the most important prize: a place on the world stage.

Match officials: Chris West and Olga Gandia (referees), Josef Valenta (reserve).