Sporting CP Secures First Win in ​EHF Champions League

Photo 2024/25 season EHF Champions League Men’s⁣ Group A ​Round 1 Match between Sporting CP and ‍Olen Wisla Plock, Photo source =⁢ European Handball Confederation

Sporting CP, who advanced⁣ to⁢ the Champions League⁤ for the first time in five years, ⁤won the opening match against⁣ Poland’s Orlen Wisla Plock with a ​score of 34-29 at the ⁢Pavilhão João Rocha in Lisbon, Portugal.

The team, led by the Costa⁣ brothers Martim Costa (EHF Euro 2024 top scorer) ​and Francisco (Sporting European League top⁢ scorer), showcased their skills in their Champions League debuts. Martim scored 10 goals and Francisco six, accounting for nearly 50% of‍ the team’s‍ goals. Polish⁣ champions Plock, who ​reached the Champions League play-offs last season, were top⁣ scorers in Michal Daszek (seven) and Gergo Fazekas (six), but it wasn’t enough ⁣to lead the team to victory.

Sporting took a slight lead early in​ the first half, but conceded two goals in⁤ a row⁢ to tie the score at 9-9. However, they quickly regained control ⁢by scoring five goals in a row, taking the lead ⁣to 14-9 and ending the game with a score ⁤of 17-14.

In the early part of the second half, both teams engaged in a ⁣defensive battle with ​goals being scored. However, in the middle of the game, Sporting scored 7 goals and‌ allowed only 3 goals in⁤ the 11 minutes, taking the lead to⁢ 30-23 and seizing the opportunity to win. When Sporting ⁤gave up a goal, they immediately counterattacked with a goal, not giving Plock a chance to⁢ catch up ⁣and​ maintaining the lead, eventually finishing with a score of 34-29.

“I think we played very‍ well in defence,” Sporting ‍left-back Martim⁣ Costa told the European ⁤Handball ⁢Confederation. “We were ⁢well-prepared‌ overall and created one-on-one chances in attack, which made it easier‍ for us to score. It was an important first⁢ win of the new season and we want to repeat it in the next games.”