07/09/2010
One goal away from Champions League
This Sunday, FC Porto Vitalis fell short of one goal from reaching the group stage of the EHF Champions League, due to a draw (23-23) with HC Dinamo Minsk of Belarus in the final match of the qualifying tournament for the EHF Champions League, held at FC Porto’s Dragão Caixa Pavilion. The two-time national champion winners were just a small step from winning the match but Ricardo Moreira’s final shot was scored a minimal tenth of a second after the match’s final whistle. The Minsk team summed up five points in the tournament, one more than the Portuguese team in second place, thus managing to reach the much-desired qualification.
FC Porto entered the game at full speed. At two and a half minutes, the team was winning 3-0, later leading the game by 6-2. The team had a solid attack and aggressive defence, often reaching the nine-metre line. In addition, goalkeeper Hugo Laurentino was totally inspired, never decreasing his performance over the total 60 minutes.
In the second part of the first-half, the powerful Belarusian team increased its performance. Moreover, Koshovyi also proved to be a great keeper. FC Porto Vitalis also had its good dose of misery – there were a number of shots off-target - and this all contributed to the away team holding an advantage of three goals at half-time.
FC Porto Vitalis started the second half on a positive note, having Filipe Mota scoring 3 goals and thus back to commanding the scoreboard. A long battle was most certainly imminent. Thereafter, the overall advantage of either team never surpassed a goal. Supported by the public cheering in the pavilion, FC Porto gave their utmost on the sports ground.
It was evident that the qualification for the Champions League would be decided by a close call, by a mere detail. In the latest attack, with Gilberto Duarte as goalkeeper, the FC Porto team scored what would have been the winning goal by Ricardo Moreira. The goal, however, occurred after the final whistle. FC Porto Vitalis missed the target, but left the pavilion with a standing ovation.
MATCH REPORT
HC Dinamo Minsk-FC Porto Vitalis, 23-23
EHF Champions League, Qualifying tournament – group 2, third round
5 September 2010
Dragão Caixa Pavilion, Porto
Attendance: 1.932 spectators
Referees: Martin Gjeding and Mads Hansen (Denmark)
HC DINAMO MINSK: Koshovy (g.k.), Kazhaneuski (6), Rutenka (2), Pukhouski, Cepulis (1), Onufryienko (6) and Tsitou (1)
Also played: Babichev (3), Shylovich (1), Kovalenko and Atman (3)
Coach: Sergii Bebeshko
FC PORTO: Hugo Laurentino (g.k.), Filipe Mota (7), Tiago Rocha (2), Dario Andrade (1), Ricardo Moreira (3), Wilson Davyes (1) and Inácio Carmo
Also played: Nuno Grilo (6), Gilberto Duarte (1) and Pedro Spínola (2)
Coach: Ljubomir Obradovic
At half-time: 13-10 |
