Argentina's DSports highlights Sabah's rapid rise to Champions League

Azerbaijani football club Sabah FK have achieved one of the fastest rises in modern football, progressing from their debut in the second division to winning the national championship and reaching the UEFA Champions League league phase in less than a decade.

Argentine sports media outlet DSports published a feature dedicated to the historic achievement of the Azerbaijani champions, according to Report.

"From absolute obscurity to competing with the giants of the continent in the blink of an eye. A modest club from the Caucasus has challenged the logic of modern football and secured an epic place in Europe's most prestigious tournament," the outlet wrote.

According to DSports, this extraordinary journey has turned the young Baku-based club into one of the biggest surprises of the European season.

The Argentine outlet noted that Europe's leading club competition is traditionally associated with teams boasting decades-long, and often century-old, histories. However, less than ten years have passed since Sabah was founded, demonstrating that the youth of a club project is not necessarily an obstacle to reaching the European football elite.

DSports also highlighted the team's impressive European campaign under Lithuanian coach Valdas Dambrauskas. On their way to the league phase, Sabah overcame Welsh side The New Saints and Finland's KuPS before producing a remarkable comeback against Danish club AGF, winning the second leg 4-0.

The decisive battle came in the playoff round against Israeli club Hapoel Be'er Sheva. After losing the first leg 2-1, Sabah were still trailing with 15 minutes remaining in the second match. The Baku side, however, turned the game around, took the tie into extra time and eventually won 5-2 to secure a historic place in the Champions League league phase, DSports reported.

The Argentine outlet emphasized that Sabah achieved this success without high-profile international stars, instead relying on a distinct playing identity and collective strength.