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Sydney Uni Handball Club became the first Australian or Oceania club ever to win a game at the IHF Super Globe in their Quarter-Final against Al Sadd Sports Club in Doha on September 7.

Going goal for goal for most of the match against their hosts, Sydney Uni were able to hold onto their lead into the dying moments of the game and secure the victory, 21-20.

Captain Sebastien Traverso says the team know their win means something to a lot of people. 

“This is what we had in mind and this is what we kept telling each other: This day, today we can make history, because it will be the first victory for an Australian club, so it’s bigger than the club itself. Hopefully they will celebrate back home,” Traverso said. 

Not only are they the first Australian club team to record such a result, but they join a very short list of teams from our region to have won a game at a major international competition.

With players from all continents and 12 different countries, and that’s just Sydney Uni’s squad, the first meet against last year’s finalists was set to be a close contest.

At 15 minutes in the scoreboard reflected the tight match-up, with Joan Cronella of Sydney Uni’s Wing finding a fast break to even it, 4-4.  

The final few seconds of the first half saw Sydney Uni go into the half time break one goal down, 10-9.

Determined to show their strength, Uni hit back and with the score again levelled, Coach Phillip Enders calls a time out. Another two minutes suspension is awarded to Sydney.

After getting away to a two goal lead, Al Sadd score and bring it to one goal again 18-17. Two minutes remain on the clock.

Sydney Uni pull deep and go up, taking it to, 21-19.

One minute left, Coach Enders calls a time out.

End result, 21-19. Sydney Uni win their first Super Globe match as the only amateur team competing for the World Cup title. A huge upset with odds against the club at 17:1. 

Traverso aptly said it was an amazing feeling. 

“This is what we came here for. We all started believing in it the day we came here and it’s still surreal. We never gave up – that’s what Australians are known for. We just stepped on the court, we knew what we had to do, and we had strong defence – I think that made a difference.”

Sydney Uni now proceed to the Semi-Final round, where they will face MKB-MVM Veszprem on Tuesday 8 September. All games are streamed free and live here. 

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