Match report
NILAI, Malaysia – 16 August 2026 – Catalonia U21 produced another impressive performance against Portugal U21, securing a 29–17 victory in the seventh-place play-off of the IKF U21 World Korfball Championship 2026.
Catalonia once again demonstrated their attacking quality and consistency, following up their 20–11 win over Portugal in the classification phase on 13 August with an even more emphatic result.
The match was a chance for Portugal to respond after that earlier defeat, but Catalonia proved too strong across the contest. Their ability to maintain offensive pressure and turn opportunities into goals allowed them to build a commanding advantage and ultimately finish the championship in seventh place.
For Portugal, the result meant an eighth-place finish, bringing an end to a tournament in which they showed considerable resilience. Their campaign included a strong 15–8 victory over Germany on 14 August, demonstrating their ability to compete effectively against high-level European opposition.
Catalonia’s back-to-back victories over Portugal underline the progress made by the team during the championship and provide a positive finish to their campaign in Malaysia. Portugal, meanwhile, can take valuable experience from a demanding tournament and look ahead to the next generation of international competition.
With the classification matches now nearing their conclusion, both sides can reflect on a championship that has provided another important platform for the development of young korfball talent.
Photos
Photos by Eric Chan
Interviews and videos
