27.02.2019, 02:00
Sporting ready for historic mission in Bucharest

FEATURE: The Portuguese side is on the brink of reaching the Last 16 for the first time, but has only a one-goal lead going into the decisive leg of the play-off against Dinamo on Thursday

Sporting ready for historic mission in Bucharest

Sporting CP are heading towards Bucharest aiming to add another positive chapter to Portuguese handball history: the club’s first appearance in the Last 16 of the VELUX EHF Champions League.

Backed by their victory with the smallest possible margin (32:31) from last Saturday, Sporting are taking on Dinamo Bucuresti on Thursday in the decisive leg of the group phase knockout. The match starts at 19:00 CET and is streamed live on ehfTV.com.

“Opportunity to create history for our club”

Despite the advantage of just one goal, Sporting left wing Ivan Nikcevic says his team is “not anxious” ahead of the return leg in Romania.

“We are happy because we have the opportunity to create history for our club,” the Serbian player says. “Let’s fight until the end and try to enjoy it.”

Sporting have every reason to be confident. Coach Hugo Canela’s team is on an 11-match winning streak across various competitions. They are in second place in the Portuguese league, trailing leaders FC Porto Sofarma by three points with one game less.

In Europe, Sporting have achieved excellent results, including seven wins in VELUX EHF Champions League Group C, which earned them a spot in the group phase knockout - against the winners from Group D, Dinamo.

Fully motivated, what match are Sporting expecting in Bucharest on Thursday?

“We have the best fans in the world and we are prepared for any environment,” Nikcevic says. “We have enough experience to deal with any pressure.”

Nikcevic was the key player, scoring 11 times

Nikcevic was the key player for the Portuguese side last Saturday, scoring 11 times. The first leg was marked by a tangential victory for the lions in Lisbon, achieved in the last moments of the match. In a very balanced game and with several lead changes, Sporting defeated Dinamo 32:31.

The crowded João Rocha Pavilion was the stage of the game. Despite the incredible atmosphere, coach Canela’s team faced several difficulties, but Nikcevic’s effectiveness was the key to the 14:14 tie at half-time.

In the second half, the home side came up with a great attitude and got a five-goal lead (31:26), but Constantin Stefan’s players didn’t give up the fight and equalised the game near the end.

While the final result seemed to be 31:31, Edmilson Araújo scored an incredible goal in the dying seconds to give Sporting an important and hard-fought triumph.

Selected in EHF’s Best 7 this week, Nikcevic praises his team for the “dedication and effort aiming for glory” in that match.

Sporting might need more of that in Bucharest on Thursday.

TEXT: Tiago Nogueira / ew