Handball is played with 7, Portugal had 8 on the field (but tied in goals)

The distant dream of the European semi-finals. A very unusual moment marked the end of the first half against Norway.

Third game in a row, third game without being able to win. Portugal made the news around the world when they beat Denmark by no European handball last week.

But, since then, the Portuguese team lost to Germany (32-30), lost to France (46-38) and, this Monday, drew with Norway (35-35).

Two teams with 2 points each in Group I, already far from leader Germany who has 6 points and behind Denmark and France (4 points), who must compete with Germany for the two places in the semi-finals.

The draw puts Portugal and Norway on 3 points. Both are practically out of the semi-finals and even the fight for 5th place is complicated. Portugal only has one more game, against Spain (zero points).

In this match, always balanced, and which Norway were leading 18-17 at half-time, the top scorer was Luis Frade, with 11 goals – the Portuguese pivot was considered the best player of the match.

8 players on the field

In the last minute of the first half, a completely unusual moment occurred. Almost unacceptable at this level of the sport.

There were 15 seconds left before the break when Portugal were trying to equalize (18-18) and, to do so, they removed the goalkeeper and put 7 players on the field.

So far, so good. In fact, 7 against 6 is a habit in many teams, like FC Porto.

The problem is… Victor Iturriza entered. AND Portugal had 8 players on the field. Handball is played with 7.

2 minutes of exclusion for Iturriza, Portugal conditioned at the beginning of the second half – although it didn’t make much of a difference, as it was 19-18 for Norway after 32 minutes.