UEFA Futsal EURO 2026 Matchday 2 Tuesday preview: Hungary vs Portugal, Poland vs Italy

The second set of UEFA Futsal EURO 2026 Group D games are played at Arena Stožice, Ljubljana on Tuesday with Hungary and holders Portugal aiming for potential progress and Poland facing Italy with both looking to bounce back from opening defeats on Saturday.

Group D: Hungary vs Portugal (17:30 CET, Ljubljana)

Both these sides were victorious on Saturday, giving them the chance to potentially clinch a quarter-final place with a game to spare. Hungary, who had lost all their seven previous finals games in 2005, 2010 and 2016, defeated Poland 4-2 with two late Máté Suscsák goals, and if they can beat the holders, will progress should Italy not beat Poland later.

Portugal, though, made it 12 finals wins in a row as they defeated Italy 6-2 to start their bid for a third straight title. They will progress with a victory if Poland do not beat the Azzurri, and Portugal are on a run of nine straight wins against Hungary, though they have only met twice in the last 17 years, two friendlies in January 2015.

Sergio Mullor, Hungary coach: "Portugal are absolutely on a different level than us or even the two other teams in our group. It might help us that, due to this fact, we don’t have any pressure on us regarding the result.

"Obviously, this doesn't mean that we will enter the pitch with our hands up trying only to survive. We must stay focused throughout the match and show what our team is capable of.”

Jorge Braz, Portugal coach: "We are not surprised by Hungary; we had a clear understanding of their level of organisation. They know very well what they are doing at all stages of the game. They combined this with a competitive spirit and an ability to manage the game, whether winning or losing. They patiently wait for their opportunity. Hungary did this very well in the first game, and that's why they won.

"Hungary will try to counter us, but the most important thing is for us to focus on ourselves and be ourselves on the pitch. focused on our process, and what we have to do. That's crucial. If we do our job well, then they should be even more worried on the other side."

Group D: Poland vs Italy (20:30 CET, Ljubljana)

Those opening losses have left both teams in danger of an early exit. Defeat would end Poland's chances if Portugal avoid defeat by Hungary. Italy cannot afford to lose if the holders do not win.

Both teams also have important players suspended after red cards on Saturday; Poland captain Tomasz Kriezel whose set-pieces created both their goals to put them 2-1 up against Hungary before his sending-off, and Italy pair Italo Rossetti and Giovanni Pulvireni.

Błażej Korczyński, Poland coach: "We are going to play the next two games and we have to break the curse and win our first EURO game. After losing the first match, the mood is not good, but we need to raise our heads and fight. We have to show our full strength to win against Italy."

Salvatore Samperi, Italy coach: "It will be a decisive match for our EURO campaign. We'll face a strong team that has improved a lot recently and also need points to try to qualify for the knockout stages. However, we're aware of our ability and cannot wait to take to the pitch and compete at the highest level."