England overtakes Portugal in extra time
The second game of the day determining the contenders for fifth place is one of ups and downs, starting with a big up for Portugal, leaving them down at the end, where England needs extra time to win by a golden goal, 23-24.
If first halves are crucial to winning, then Portugal is the big winner. They have a clear upper hand this part of the game with Costa and Biocas being very accurate. They blaze on to 7-1 in less than ten minutes, forcing England's coach Buckland to take an early time-out. The time-out has effect, with Turner scoring two goals in a row. At 7-4, Portugal also takes a time-out. Portugal keeps the advantage, but England presses harder and keeps in Portugal's trail until 10-7. Then another scoring period of Portugal brings 14-7 on the scoreboard. Buckland brings on Brennan for Holness, who scores right away. Portugal keeps a comfortable lead and goes to the dressing rooms for half time with 17-11 on the board.
In the second half England shows remarkable strength from the beginning. Portugal opens the score, after that it's England right up to 18-16. Portugal takes a time-out and makes two substitutions with little result. They count england's 18-17 with 19-17, then England comes level for the first time with fifteen minutes left on the clock. Two more Portuguese substitutions seem to bring the extra boost Portugal needs, as they have the upper hand on and off until 21-21. Bedford brings England in the lead again, Amaral levels, Woodvine for England and Pinhao for Portugal and it's 23-23 when time runs out and we have a draw.
In the extra time, it takes five minutes before England has a great opportunity to claim victory with a penalty, but Dave Brooks misses it. Then early substitution Brennan secures English victory with a close shot, 23-24. This brings England to the final game for fifth place and again against Russia.
Bedford and Turner are most productive for England, both with six goals. For Portugal Coasta scores seven.
With two exiting and close games, the battles for place five and six as well as for seven and eight are reprises of games playes just two days before; England and Russia battle it out again for fifth place, with England having the previous victory on their mind, whereas Portugal and Czech Republic meet again to decide who will be seventh and who just number eight of the World Championships korfball 2011, where the Czech know they win before.