Sporting CP cruise into Challenge Cup last-16

After setting the pace wth a 32-25 win on Saturday, Sporting CP breezed past ASD Romagna on Sunday by a convincing margin of 37-24, securing a place in the Challenge Cup last-16 in the process.

As the final result suggests, Zupo's side once again dominated. A special note for the junior star Manuel Gaspar, who stepped in for Cudic in goal in the second-half and put on a fine display.

"It was a good debut and I did what I have been doing in training. I could have done a bit better a times, but that is part of it. Hopefully I will keep improving over time", said Gaspar at the final whistle.

Zupo also spoke with the press at the final whistle: "It was an easy game. The Italians were tired from two games in 24 hours, especially in the second-half. We created problems for them when we started playing 5x1 in defence and started to steal possession. That made it a lot easier."

Carlos Carneiro expecting an even stronger Sporting CP for Sunday's second-leg

Carlos Carneiro took a moment to speak with radio journalists after Sporting CP's Challenge Cup first-leg win against Romagna Handball (32-25) on Saturday afternoon.

"Romagna have their strong points and they didn't give up. We did alright and we controlled things", said Carneiro, happy with his side's seven goal lead going into Sunday's second-leg: "Tomorrow we will play as if it was 0-0 and we want to do better than we did today. We have what it takes to take on anyone in this competition."

Sporting CP off on the right foot in Challenge Cup third round

Sporting CP cliamed an important first-leg win against Romagna Handball (32-25) this Saturday afternoon, in the Challenge Cup third round.

The team from Alvalade controlled from start to finish and eventually opened up a seven-goal lead going into Sunday's second-leg. Romagna Handball did not have the benefit of Sporting CP's wealth of European experience and Zupo's side comfortably went about building up the final result.

Coach Zupo Equisoain on the weekend's hosting of Romagna

Alvalade handball coach Zupo Equisoain was with the press ahead of the weekend's Challenge Cup hosting of the Italian outfit Romagna.

"They are made up of Italian players and don't have a single foreign player. Their left winger and one of the centres are really important for how they play, but we have the better team. The lads are in a good space psychologically right now, especially after the derby win. We will try and win both games and play the best handball possible", said Equisoain.

João Pinto looking to trigger another run to Challenge Cup silverware

The Challenge Cup last-32 has finally arrived, with Sporting CP to face the Italian side Romagna on the 19th and 20th of November.

Handbal star makes the move to Alvalade from RK Metalurg Skopje

The Austrian handball player Janko Bozovic is the latest of a series of signings to join Alvalade in recent weeks. Bozovic has already claimed national titles in Italy (Italgest Casarano) and Belarus (HC Meshkov Brest) and this will be his 10th time aboard having already tallied up experience in Norway, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Slovenia, Belarus, Macedonia and Qatar.

Sporting CP terminates contract with Fábio Magalhães

Sporting Clube de Portugal has decided, on mutual agreement, to terminate its contract with the handball player Fábio Magalhães.

Magalhães joined the club in 2009/10 and played a part in the squad that won the Challenge Cup that same season.

Sporting CP thanks Fábio Magalhães for his dedication to the club during his seven seasons with us.

Slovenian giant makes the move to Lisbon

"I am really happy to sign for Sporting! It was an easy decision. It is a good club with a good tradition in lots of sports, not just handball." That was how Igor Zabic opened his first interview in a Sporting shirt this week, after sealing his move to Alvalade.

Standing at 2.01m and weighing 95kg, the giant Slovenian proved full of ambition: "I know we will have a great team next season and their was no reason for me not to sign. I hope to fight for first place and I always want to win, but we have to show that on the court."

Having already spent spells with Orosházi FKSE (Hungary), RK Celje Pivovarna Lasko, RK Maribor Branic (Slovenia) and Slask Wroclaw (Poland), Zabric also proved knowledgeable on Portuguese handball: "I know that four teams fight fo the title here: Sporting, Porto, Benfica and Braga (ABC). It is a really balanced league."

Michal Kopco latest name to join Sporting's handball team

Sporting's handball department continues to bring in the reinforcements in preparation for next season. Michal Kopco is the latest edition, after making the move from Tatran Presov.

Standing 1.95m tall and weighing 115kg, Kopco has already claimed five national titles in his native Slovakia and has a wealth of experience in both the Croatian and Hungarian leagues.

Speaking with the Sporting Journal after agreeing the deal to bring him Alvalade, Kopoc explained the logic behind the move: "I am here to play in a better league and I will be representing a great team."

Sporting CP handball star has successful operation on right knee

The athlete Bosko Bjelanovic has undergone an arthroscopy on his right knee, to treat a meniscal and chondral injury.

The procedure was completed as normal and the athlete is expected to be out of action for three months.