The Portuguese team won four of the five matches played so far, which allowed them to secure second place in the group and compete in the final against the winner, the Irish team, the only team that defeated the Portuguese.

Portugal has already equalled its best result in the competition, when, in 2018, it was defeated in the final by North Macedonia.

Throughout the tournament, Portugal beat Colombia (7-5), Argentina (9-8), Greece (10-1) and Brazil (6-2), having lost to the Republic of Ireland (8-3).

The Development Cup is a type of world championship organised by the IIHF for countries that are still in the development phase of the sport and that do not have national championships.