Leões recorded their ninth victory in as many rounds, but the coach of the national champions criticized the slowness and tactics of the Madeirans
Sporting beat Marítimo (31-23) in the game that ended the ninth round of the Nacional handball and maintained its unbeaten record at the top of the table, which it shares with FC Porto, the other team that has not yet lost points internally.
But the Lions’ coach, Ricardo Costa, lamented to Sporting’s media the opponent’s attitude in Funchal, criticizing the slowness and the 7×6 tactic. «The game was marked by the pace that Marítimo wanted to impose. I wanted to play very slowly, with very long attacks, so it was difficult for us to score more than 30 goals. I get the feeling that Marítimo wanted to lose by a few. By attacking seven against six during the 60 minutes, it made the game boring, boring and slow”, said the coach of the national champions.
— We came prepared and wanted to play faster, but the most important thing was the three points and that no one got hurt. For me, it wasn’t mandatory that we play well, after the amount of minutes we accumulated in our legs and so many trips», said Ricardo Costa. «In the first half we could have perhaps taken advantage of one or another situation of finishing with an empty goal, as we missed a few shots. Each game has its story and each opponent has its weapons. This is Marítimo’s weapon and we know that we have to suffer to win”, he concluded.
Sporting’s Handball Victory: A Tactical Snore Fest!
Ah, handball—the sport that’s slightly confusing but way more exciting than watching paint dry. Sporting, our national champions, have pulled off their ninth win with a score of 31-23 against Marítimo in a match that, if we’re being honest, might have been mistaken for a recreational yoga session. Yes folks, it seems our friends from Madeira were intent on living their best life in slow motion!
Victory With a Side of Critique
While the scoreboard may reflect a solid victory, coach Ricardo Costa has taken a moment to critique Marítimo’s strategy, or lack thereof. He described their approach as “boring, boring, and slow,” which is a bit like saying a bowl of oatmeal is a tad underwhelming. The man certainly doesn’t hold back! It’s like they were trying to win a ‘Most Tedious Game of the Season’ award—congrats, they might just get it!
The Sporting Strategy: Fast or Furry?
Ricardo Costa had his battle gear on, prepared for a fast-paced, adrenaline-fueled encounter, only to find themselves served a buffet of tedium instead. Picture it: an army of Lions, ready for action, faced with a plodding sea of Marítimo defenders determined to play the world’s longest game of ‘keep-away.’ Costa quipped that it felt like Marítimo was hoping to lose by the skin of their teeth, all while employing the classic 7×6 tactic. Yes, folks, you heard right. Seven offense players and six defenders—because why not confuse everyone with mathematical gymnastics when you could just play handball?
Three Points and No Injuries: Mission Accomplished
Cue a round of applause for the three points! Costa was adamant that while the style of play left much to be desired, the important thing was that they secured the win and, crucially, no one was hurt in the process. “We came prepared,” he said. “The most important thing was the three points and that no one got hurt.” Talk about the spirit of modern sports! Meanwhile, fans must’ve felt like they’d been signed up for a fitness class rather than an exhilarating handball match. But hey, can’t win them all, right?
A Look Ahead
Now, performance aside, Sporting remains unbeaten, sharing the top of the table with FC Porto. The fact that they’ve managed to dodge a bullet—while Marítimo employed tactical boredom—is remarkable. But, dear Sporting members, if a game is to be won, let’s at least promise each other it won’t feel like a doctor’s waiting room!
In conclusion, if there’s one lesson we can take away from this match, it’s that winning isn’t everything—unless you’re playing Marítimo, in which case, it seems the only goal is to secure a boredom-induced victory. Let’s hope the next bout is a little less ‘fasting’ and a bit more ‘fast-paced.’ Now, who’s up for a game with some actual excitement?
