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Sabah FK qualifies for UEFA Champions League league phase
Azerbaijani club Sabah FK has qualified for the UEFA Champions League league phase for the first time in its history. In a dramatic play-off second leg in Baku, Sabah overcame a 2-1 first-leg deficit to defeat Israeli champions Hapoel Beer Sheva 5-2 in extra time, winning 6-4 on aggregate.
Founded only nine years ago in 2017, Sabah is now the youngest club ever to reach the Champions League main stage. The team's success is attributed to head coach Valdas Dambrauskas, a Lithuanian strategist whose career includes notable stints at clubs like Ludogorets and Hajduk Split. Dambrauskas described the achievement by stating, “Sabah is the best team I’ve coached in my career.”
The club's rapid ascent follows a successful domestic season where they secured a national double. The victory also ensures that no Israeli team will participate in the 2026/27 Champions League season.
Entities
Azerbaijan · Baku · Hapoel Beer Sheva · Hapoel Beer-Sheva · Sabah FC · Sabah FK · Tymoteusz Puchacz · UEFA Champions League · Valdas Dambrauskas
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Jibril Diop received a second yellow card, leaving Hapoel Beer Sheva with 10 players. dsport.bg
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Eliel Peretz was sent off with a second yellow card during the match. dsport.bg
- [● 3 SOURCES] Sabah defeated Hapoel Beer Sheva 5-2 in extra time during the playoff second leg. dsport.bg · modern.az · tocka.com.mk
- [● 3 SOURCES] Sabah qualified for the UEFA Champions League group stage. dsport.bg · modern.az · tocka.com.mk
- [● 2 SOURCES] The aggregate score between Sabah and Hapoel Beer Sheva was 6-4 in favor of Sabah. dsport.bg · modern.az
- [● 2 SOURCES] Valdas Dambrauskas is the head coach of Sabah. dsport.bg · modern.az