---
title: "Dambrauskas and his Sabah stun Slavia Prague for first Champions League win"
date: 2026-10-13T19:40:12Z
lang: en
author: "Janis Vitols"
canonical: https://balticfootballnews.com/dambrauskas-and-his-sabah-stun-slavia-prague-for-first-champions-league-win/
categories: ["Champions League", "Lithuania"]
---

# Dambrauskas and his Sabah stun Slavia Prague for first Champions League win
**Lithuanian head coach Valdas Dambrauskas celebrated a historic milestone in the UEFA Champions League as his Sabah side secured their first-ever victory in the competition’s league phase, defeating Czech giants Slavia Prague 2-0 at home. Goals from Kaheem Parris and Joy-Lance Mickels sealed a memorable evening for the Azerbaijani champions.**

Dambrauskas, who became the first coach from the Baltic states to guide a club into the Champions League main phase, had quite an introduction to Europe’s elite competition a month earlier, when Sabah suffered a 0-4 defeat against Manchester United at Old Trafford.

However, the Lithuanian coach and his players responded in impressive fashion against Slavia Prague, producing a disciplined defensive performance and taking their opportunities to claim a historic three points.

Sabah thought they had made the perfect start when Jamaican winger Kaheem Parris found the net from inside the penalty area in the 17th minute. However, the celebrations were cut short following a VAR review, which ruled out the goal for offside.

The visitors enjoyed the better opportunities throughout the opening half, forcing Sabah goalkeeper Stas Pokatilov into several important saves. The hosts were made to work hard defensively, but managed to keep the Czech champions at bay and went into the interval with the score still goalless.

The breakthrough arrived just four minutes after the restart, as Sabah caught Slavia Prague on the counterattack. Parris received the ball near the edge of the penalty area and struck it first time past the visiting goalkeeper to give the Azerbaijani champions a 1-0 lead.

Having fallen behind, Slavia Prague increased the pressure considerably, forcing Dambrauskas’ side to spend long periods defending deep inside their own half. Pokatilov continued to produce important interventions, while Sabah’s defenders remained organised and committed as the visitors searched for an equaliser.

Despite the sustained pressure, Sabah maintained their narrow advantage heading into the closing minutes before a remarkable mistake from the visitors allowed them to double their lead.

In the 88th minute, Slavia Prague’s goalkeeper ventured almost as far as the halfway line but was dispossessed, leaving his goal completely exposed. Joy-Lance Mickels seized the opportunity and raced towards the empty net before attempting a long-range finish.

His effort lacked power, and it initially appeared that Slavia player David Moses would recover in time to clear the ball. However, the Nigerian mistimed his attempted clearance, allowing the ball to roll into the net and sparking wild celebrations from Dambrauskas and his coaching staff.

Sabah even had an opportunity to make it 3-0 in the closing stages, breaking forward with five attackers against three defenders, but failed to capitalise on the numerical advantage.

Nevertheless, the missed opportunity mattered little as the final whistle confirmed a historic 2-0 victory for the Azerbaijani champions and their Lithuanian head coach.

Beyond the sporting significance, the result also provided a substantial financial boost, with Sabah earning €2.1 million in UEFA prize money for their Champions League victory.

Sabah will return to domestic action on Saturday with an away league fixture against Gabala before turning their attention back to European competition. Their next Champions League challenge comes in just one week, when they host German side Borussia Dortmund.