Irudek Bidasoa Irun touched down at Cristiano Ronaldo International Airport on the island of Madeira ahead of Tuesday’s EHF European League clash against Marítimo de Madeira, carrying the momentum of a hard-fought 31-30 domestic victory over Puente Genil.
Landing in Funchal After Domestic Battle
The Bidasoa delegation made the trip following Saturday’s narrow win, turning their attention immediately to continental competition. Head coach Álex Mozas described the upcoming Portuguese opponent as more demanding than initially anticipated.
Portuguese Threat and Seven-on-Six Schemes
João Magalhães, the lone Portuguese player in the Bidasoa squad and a native of Vila Nova de Gaia near Porto, offered a clear assessment of the challenge awaiting his team. «Es un equipo que juega muy duro y que tiene muchos jugadores buenos», Magalhães said, pointing to an atypical tactical approach built around a heavy seven-on-six offensive scheme.
Scouting Marítimo’s Leading Scorers
Technical staff faced limited recovery time after traveling in the early hours of Monday morning. Magalhães highlighted three primary danger men: Luciano Silva, formerly of Logroño; Delcio Pina, previously with Puente Genil; and Diogo Silva, a Portugal international who has played for Danish club Kolding. All three led the scoring for Marítimo during a 31-30 defeat to Limoges in the opening round of group play.
Magalhães Compares League Intensities and Reunites with Former Teammates
Reflecting on his time with Porto and his current stint in Irun, Magalhães noted stark contrasts between domestic championships. While Marítimo faces straightforward fixtures against lower-tier opponents, Bidasoa battles intense, high-stakes matches every weekend. Tuesday’s match also marks a personal reunion for the young winger, who previously shared locker rooms with several Marítimo players in Portugal’s junior national selections.
Mozas Expects a Test Against Marítimo Long-Range Shooting
For Mozas, Marítimo represents an unexpected test in the group stage due to a proficiency in long-range shooting that punishes defensive setups. Despite the quick turnaround, the Spanish manager expressed confidence in a five-match winning streak across competitions, anticipating an entertaining encounter as his squad hunts for two more points.
Worth a look
