Handball Champions: Sporting retreats in the final seconds

Handball Champions: Sporting retreats in the final seconds

Sporting's fourth victory in the group stage of the Champions League seemed close, but it declined in the final seconds of its visit to North Macedonia. Against Eurofarm Pelister – the champion of that country – the Lions tied with 24 points.

In a generally balanced confrontation, the hosts took advantage of their home advantage to consolidate the advantage that continued until the end of the first half (15-13).

In the complementary phase, Sporting tightened its defense and carried out organized and clinical attacks. As such, the Lions took the lead and even took a two-point lead.

However, in the final attack, Eurofarm Pelister “stole” the Portuguese's smile, unleashing the party on the flank (24-24).

Sporting's standouts include Juri Arrejay, Salvador and Martim Costa, who all scored five goals. On the other hand, Radivojević, Kuzmanovski and Piszewski reached the same mark.

In this way, the Lions currently lead Group A with seven points, plus one point ahead of Dinamo Bucharest and Paris Saint-Germain, who have one match left to play.

Remember that the two best-seeded teams in each group will qualify directly to the quarter-finals.

Before the resumption of European competition, the national champions will host Bovoa on Saturday evening (9:30 p.m.). Sporting is at the top of the league, tied with Porto, with 21 points.

Next Thursday (October 17), at 7:45 p.m., Sporting will host the German team Fuchsia Berlin, which is third in the Champions League group.

By Melody Gross

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