Sporting claimed the men's handball Super Cup while Benfica secured the women's edition on Sunday, according to Portuguese newspaper Público. The two finals wrapped up the opening silverware of the domestic season, with both Lisbon clubs sharing the honours.
Público reports that Sporting lifted the men's trophy, while Benfica took the women's title. The women's victory marked Benfica's sixth Super Cup win in that competition, as noted by CNN Portugal. Marina Teixeira, Benfica's head coach, described the win as her first trophy as a principal coach, calling it "very pleasant," according to SAPO.
Sporting's triumph drew strong words from Ricardo Costa, who told A Bola that the team had "marked an era" and that people would remember this Sporting side "100 years from now." The quotes reflect the significance of the result for the club, which has been building momentum in Portuguese handball in recent seasons.
The Super Cup typically pits the previous season's league champion against the cup winner, making it an early marker of form before the regular campaign begins. Both finals took place on the same day, with the men's match between Sporting and Benfica drawing particular attention, as previewed by Magazine.HD ahead of the fixture.
With the Super Cup decided, attention now shifts to the start of the league season, where Sporting and Benfica are expected to renew their rivalry at the top of Portuguese handball.
