EHF second round hanging in the balance

Sporting’s handball team lost out 36-31 to the Danish side Team Tvis Holstebro this weekend, in the EHF Cup second round first-leg. Despite the loss in what was a tantalising game full of goals at both ends (67, the highest at this stage of the competition), the team from Alvalade can still repair the damage come the return leg on Portuguese soil.

The opening stages proved that Sporting had done their homework prior to the encounter, but still a powerful Danish side soon showed what is was capable of and rushed four goals ahead (6-2) after six minutes thanks to some devastating counter-attacks. However, Sporting rallied and soon notched 8-3 back to 8-6 at the ten minute mark, before reducing the gap to just a single goal (10-9).

Holstebro again stepped on the gas and extended the lead to 14-10 after the break and maintained the a four goal cushion for much of the half (15-11, 17-13, 18-14), before eventually going in at the break 20-17 ahead.

Successful attempts on goal started the second-half off, before TT Holstebro opened up a six-goal gap for the first time 10 minutes from time (31-25). Sporting did manage to claw back into it in the final stages (33-30), before the Danes closed with a five-goal win that leaves everything open for the return leg.

Veteran Alvalade handball keeper renews contract

Sporting handball goalkeeper has extended his already long stay at Alvalade for an additional season.

“I am really happy to carry on representing this great club. I am going to work hard to reach our objectives and hopefully I can help with my experience over the course of the season”, said the Sporting veteran shotstopper.

Sporting Handball star pens new contract

Sporting handball star Nuno Pinto has signed for Sporting for an additional season.

“I am happy. This is an opportunity with a big club and I have to do my best, because I want to extend my contract further”, said Nuno Pinto, reflecting on his brother, João Pinto, also moving onto the Alvalade books: “It will be special. I have already worked for a number of years with my other brother, so it will be normal for me.”

Second Pinto brother signs in at Alvalade

João Pinto is the latest edition to Sporting’s handball arsenal for the coming season, following the arrival of Carlos Carneiro and Aljosa Cudic. This will actually be Pinto’s second spell at the club, having moved from Lisbon to Madeira in 2012/13.

“I am more experienced and mature player now. I have always liked this club, which is why I am back”, said the 26-year old, adding: “The team isn’t all that different and I already know the new coach. He is demanding, but that will get us to where we want to be, which is winning the League, Portuguese Cup and going as far as possible in Europe.”

EHF Cup draw sets up thriller

The draw for the second round of the EHF Cup took place this morning in Vienna, setting up a tantalising matchup between Sporting and the Danish side Team Tvis Holstebro.

The first encounter of the two legs will be held in Denmark on the 10th or 11th of October, before the return fixture on the 17th or 18th in Lisbon.

The Danish outfit were founded in 2000, following a fusion between Holstebro Handbold 90 and Tvis KFUM. They call the 3,250 capacity Grakjaer Arena home turf and can boast a 3rd place finish in the 2013 EHF Cup.

Edmilson Araújo gets green light for World Championships

Edmilson Araújo will feature for the national under-21 handball team in the coming World Championships, to be held in Brazil from the 19th of July to the 2nd of August
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The Alvalade athlete’s call up comes on the back of winning this year’s national championship, building on his presence in two friendlies against Spain.

Portugal will be in group B and will get underway on the 20th against Romania, followed by encounters with Serbia (22nd), Spain (23rd), Qatar (25th) and Angola (26th).