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 Championship titles for Sporting are a bit like buses, in that you have to wait for ages for one to come along, and then when one does, they all come along at once. In Sporting�s case, they waited 18 years to celebrate a championship victory, and now in the space of three seasons, they have won the title twice. It was a championship filled with drama and emotion, as Sporting experienced many lows, before stringing together a sensational run, which saw Sporting go unbeaten for over 6 months, and triumphantly claim themselves champions of Portugal.
It had started so well for Sporting, as they deservedly overcame their northern rivals Porto at home by 1-0, in a game that saw a lot of controversy, but not much football. However, the style was not important, but the fact that Sporting had got Laszlo Boloni�s reign off to the best start possible was.
This was probably to be one of the few glories in the first month or so of Boloni�s reign, as Sporting crumbled, to such an extent that they fell into the relegation zone. The calamitous 3-0 defeat in Belem, against Belenenses, and the 1-0 home defeat against Alverca, who would eventually be relegated, had some supporters calling for Boloni to resign.
However, Boloni�s saviour was to arrive. Jardel was his name, and scoring goals was his game. It cannot be doubted that the shrewd investment made on Jardel was probably the most significant reason in Sporting�s eventual success, as Jardel went on to score 42 league goals, equalling Eusebio�s best ever tally in the process. Jardel�s impact was immediate as he scored a penalty on his debut, helping Sporting struggle to a 1-1 draw away to ten man Leiria. After four games, Sporting had managed a measly four points, which saw them languishing in 16th place. This was certainly not the way Boloni had planned his first season, but with the help of Jo�o Pinto, Jardel, Beto and company, Boloni�s fortunes were soon to change.
Victories at home to Gil Vicente and Guimar�es, and a victory away against Farense, saw Sporting propel themselves up the table. It is of note that whilst clearly lacking match practice, Jardel was having no problems scoring, as he had scored six goals in these three games.
Jardel was to score again in Braga, but his goal was to no avail, as Sporting came unstuck yet again, losing 2-1, and thus suffering their third defeat in eight games. Experts were ruling Sporting out of championship contention, whilst opposition fans were only to keen to laugh at Sporting�s failures. This defeat however, in early October, was to be Sporting�s last league defeat of the season, as Sporting combined skill, with a little bit of luck, as they took the league by storm.
After a goalless draw at home to Santa Clara, Sporting accelerated into top gear as Sporting demolished all who stood in their way. A 6-0 victory away to Pa�os de Ferreira, a 5-1 victory away to Salgueiros and a 2-0 victory at home, against defending champions Boavista, showed that Sporting meant business. Furthermore, Sporting went to Maritimo and became one of the few teams to win there all season, whilst Varzim visited Sporting only to be convincingly despatched 4-0.
The biggest turning point in Sporting�s season however, was probably the draw that was scraped away to their fierce Lisbon rivals Benfica. After Benfica had been reduced to ten men, they defended resiliently to maintain a 2-0 lead until the 85th minute. Benfica were heading for the top of the league, whilst Sporting were about to go crashing down to third. However, as ever, Jardel was to have a significant impact on the scoreline. First off Jardel dived in the area to earn Sporting a penalty, which he coolly dispatched, and with stoppage time approaching Jardel marked a remarkable comeback as he escaped his marker, heading in an equaliser. Sporting could have actually gone on to win the game, but the referee�s failure to spot Jardel�s ludicrous dive in the area, incensed the Benfica camp as Luis Fillipe Viera went on to claim that Sporting �were being carried to the title by the referee�s,� whilst Sporting were also quickly attaining the nickname of �Sporting Clube de Penalties� (Sporting Club of Penalties). Subsequently, because of this dramatic turnaround, Sporting went top, whilst one of Sporting�s possible title contenders, Benfica, faltered even further, never really recovering.
After this game Sporting went from strength to strength, but only after they struggled to an undeserved 1-0 victory against a stubborn Set�bal and only after they struggled to earn a creditable victory in Aviero, against Beira Mar.
In early January, Sporting faced another crucial test. Porto away was about as difficult as they come, but to play Porto away, and to be reduced to eight men, was definitely going to prove to be a test of character. Sporting came through with flying colours however, as Porto produced wave after of wave of attack, but to no avail, as the eight men of Sporting grinded out a 2-2 draw. Rather like Benfica, Porto went on to lose their next game against Boavista, and were also pretty much out of title contention. This left the last two championship winners, Boavista and Sporting, as firm favourites to battle out the rest of the season, for first and second place.
From here on Sporting, buoyed on by Jardel�s phenomenal scoring rate, striked gold, as they played some exquisite football, demolishing all before them. After the Porto game, Belenenses, Alverca, Leiria, Farense and Guimaraes all followed, and all lost, with only Gil Vicente managing to hold Sporting to a draw in between. Sporting, then slipped up again, against what is quickly becoming Sporting�s bogey team, Braga. Sporting have now only managed a point against Braga in the last two seasons, and it was easy to see why this somewhat peculiar string of results was taking place, as Sporting played some unconvincing football, thus drawing their second game in seven.
Sporting did bounce back however, as they beat Santa Clara, Pa�os de Ferreira and Salgueiros, transforming their record into eight victories and two draws in ten games. The big game however was still to come. With Boavista matching Sporting blow by blow, and with Sporting only managing a one point advantage over Boavista, this game was quickly labelled the �match of the championship.� Boavista needed to win, but when the moment of truth arrived this did not materialise, as Sporting easily contained Boavista, in a tight game with very few chances. The only significant chance that did arise, was presented to, who else but Jardel, as he headed against the post deep into stoppage time. Jardel�s miss however was not too significant as Sporting still had the championship in their hands, as their slender one point lead was maintained.
Sporting followed up this draw, with victories against Maritimo and Varzim, but history was about to repeat itself against Benfica. Two seasons ago, when Sporting were crowned champions they were forced to delay their celebrations for an extra week, as they lost at home to Benfica. This season as Boavista had suprisingly lost at home to Varzim, a Sporting victory against Benfica would have ensured that Sporting would be crowned champions against their Lisbon rivals. Benfica however, were only to keen to spoil the party of their city rivals, as they drew 1-1, and only another last minute penalty by Jardel, salvaged a point for Sporting.
However, Sporting were not to be deterred as they needed either Boavista to slip up, or two more points from their last two games. Sporting�s penultimate game of the season was away to Set�bal. This was a truly spectacular game, as a packed stadium, excellent football and a good referee all contributed to one of the best games of the season. Sporting took the lead through.......yes, Jardel, but Set�bal courageously fought back, scoring two goals in two minutes as Set�bal led 2-1 at half time. Sporting, wanting to celebrate the title, without leaving it until the last day, fought back again with, who else, but Jardel equalising. The game continued at a frantic pace after this goal, with both sides creating excellent chances to take the lead. The most impressive miss however, would have to be attributed to Cesar Prates, who deep into stoppage time, and after a neat little passing movement found himself with only the goalkeeper to beat. Setubal however escaped, as to Prates� and to every Sporting fans� despair, Prates riffled over the bar, thus missing a golden opportunity to take the title back to Alvalade. Nevertheless, Prates� misery was only to last for twenty four hours, as due to Benfica�s ironic victory over Boavista, Sporting were crowned champions. Thousands of Sporting fans flocked to the Rossio, to watch their heroes celebrate in style with Lisbon�s mayor Pedro Santana Lopes. The euphoria reached its crescendo, when Sporting poignantly celebrated their championship in their last ever game in the Alvalade stadium, with a 2-1 victory over Beira Mar. A packed house in Alvalade, and a packed Pra�a Sony, watched expectantly as the victory against Beira Mar capped a truly remarkable season.
Throughout the season Boloni has managed to blend a mixture of youth and experience, to create the perfect combination. Nelson, playing in goal has been so impressive that he has earned a Portugal call up, whilst captain Beto, has been outstanding, even playing out of his customary position. A solid midfield has seen young sensation Hugo Viana, not only take Sporting but also Portugal�s �A� team by storm, whilst up front Jo�o Pinto has probably had the best season of his life. Nevertheless, the most important man in this set-up was the one and only Jardel. Jardel only joined Sporting in September, missing the first three games, but still managed to score 42 league goals, equalling Eusebio�s best ever tally, and only missing out on Yazalde�s record tally of 46 by four. Jardel has been so prolific that he has scored more goals than many of the teams in the first division, whilst �Super Mario�s,� now famous goalscoring celebration of �Que ser�?� (What will be?) has now become a nationwide phenomenon. Sporting have traditionally been a weak team in European competitions, but if Jardel and company can recreate the form they have demonstrated from October onwards, who knows what one of Portugal�s historic clubs can achieve in next season�s Champions League!
Written By Carlos Pires
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