Faced with a great atmosphere in Bucharest (Romania), which was not lacking like last year, the presence of Marius Niculae, former Sporting footballer, Dinamo imposed, this Wednesday, its first defeat, 33 to 29, to lions, in the Champions League, in a duel in the 6th round of Group A. The lions had an excellent first half, with goalkeeper Andre Kristensen (12 saves and 36% effectiveness) in a good position to shield the Portuguese champion’s defense, while the attack didn’t have much difficulty creating and finishing, with Orri Thorkelsson (6 goals) and Martim Costa (4) in evidence. The start of the second half was a nightmare for Sporting, who at half-time were leading 15-13 and, in the blink of an eye, suffered a 4-0 deficit, leaving Dinamo ahead 17-15.
With the accumulation of technical failures, lack of effectiveness in finishing, notably in free kicks from 7 meters, and exclusions in the middle, Sporting became easy prey for the Romanian team, who reached a lead of 4 goals (22 to 18, at 42 minutes), making the lions’ task quite difficult, with the brilliance of goalkeeper Vladimir Cupara (11 saves and 27%) and defender Ali Zeine (7 goals).
Faced with so many mistakes, Dinamo opened up a 7-goal lead (27 to 20, after 40 minutes), against a Sporting team with no control on the scoreboard and no ability to respond.
With the clock playing in favor of the home team, Sporting still managed to balance things out, but the damage was done and there was no longer a solution.
Despite the defeat, Sporting maintains its lead in Group A of the Champions League, as the match continues this Thursday, with French side PSG visiting Berlin and Hungarian side Veszprém traveling to Pelister, in Macedonia.
In the other game of the series held this Wednesday, the Danish side Fredericia beat the Polish side Wisla Plock (28-25).
Group A classification: 1st Sporting, 9 points; 2. Veszprém, 8 (minus 1 game); 3. Dynamo Bucharest, 8; 4. PSG, 8 (1 game less); 5. Fuchse Berlin, 6 (1 game less); 6. Wisla Plock, 2; 7. Fredericia, 2; 8. Pelister, 1 (minus 1 game).
