Sporting coach Ricardo Costa expressed satisfaction and relief after his team secured a hard-fought victory against European handball powerhouse Veszprém, acknowledging a degree of fortune following a challenging week marked by a heavy defeat.
Costa highlighted the significance of the win, which came after what he described as a “difficult week” for his squad. This period included a substantial loss against Nantes, which left the team grappling with “many doubts.”
“It was a tough game between two strong teams,” Costa said, noting the pressure after their recent defeat. “Today we gave everything and in the end we were lucky with the victory.”
The coach was candid about Veszprém’s performance, stating the opposing team also “deserved to win this game.” He emphasized the immense responsibility his team felt facing an opponent of such caliber.
Sporting’s primary goal was to prevent a repeat of their previous week’s poor showing. Costa credited the home fans for their crucial support during the match.
He praised Veszprém as a team “destined to win the Champions League,” a sentiment that, in his view, only underscored the magnitude of Sporting’s effort and the narrow margin of their success.