How a quiz show and a dream took Azerbaijan's Sabah to the Champions League

Valdas Dambrauskas, a former Lithuanian television contestant turned football coach, has led Azerbaijani club Sabah FC to the Champions League group stage, marking a historic achievement for the country’s football scene. The 49-year-old coach, who once won prize money on the popular quiz show “Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?” in 2002, used the funds to move to England and pursue his UEFA coaching qualifications. With no prior professional football experience, Dambrauskas embarked on a grueling path, working multiple jobs including as a babysitter, salesman, and newspaper deliverer to afford his training. Eventually, he joined youth academies at Fulham, Brentford, and Manchester United before taking charge of Sabah FC in Baku, his tenth club. The journey to the Champions League began in earnest when Sabah FC secured its place in the group stage after defeating Hapoel Beer Sheva 5-2 in the second leg of their tie, bringing their aggregate score to 6-4. This victory guaranteed the club eight matches against some of Europe’s top teams, including Barcelona, Borussia Dortmund, Napoli, and Slavia Prague. The squad will face off against Arsenal and Manchester United in England, Villarreal in Spain, and Viking in Norway. For Dambrauskas, the triumph represents more than just a personal milestone, it symbolizes the potential of underdog teams to challenge the continent’s elite. Sabah FC, based in Baku, was founded in 2017 and has rapidly risen through the ranks. The club claimed the Azerbaijan Cup in the 2024–25 season and went on to win the Azerbaijan Premier League title the following year, ending the long-standing dominance of Qarabağ FK. This success has positioned Sabah as one of the most promising teams in the nation, capable of competing on a European stage. Right-back Tellur Mutallimov, a key player in the squad, expressed both pride and humility upon reaching the Champions League. “Playing against clubs of this stature gives me a greater sense of responsibility and extra motivation rather than excitement,” he said. Mutallimov emphasized the importance of maintaining focus, noting that the celebrations of qualification are now behind them. Support from fans has been crucial throughout Sabah’s rise. Even during away games in Denmark, England, Finland, and Romania, the club’s supporters remained loyal, traveling to stadiums to cheer on their team. This solidarity has helped create a unique atmosphere within the club, where the starting XI often includes players from eleven different nationalities. Dambrauskas highlighted the value of this diversity, stating that the team’s philosophy is rooted in mutual respect and cultural inclusivity. Assistant coach Valerio Zuddas, a 37-year-old Italian with extensive experience across ten countries, plays a vital role in shaping Sabah’s strategy. He oversees defensive organization and the analysis of European opponents, ensuring the team is well-prepared for each match. “The biggest satisfaction for Valdas as head coach and for us as coaching staff is that we can clearly see how the players are into our team principles and how they believe in them,” Zuddas said. He noted that the players’ growing understanding of the game enables the coaching staff to adapt strategies effectively, enhancing the team’s competitiveness. Club president Magsud Adigozalov credited the club’s success to a strategic approach grounded in analytics rather than financial investment. “We could not compete financially with many established European clubs, so we had to find our own competitive advantages,” Adigozalov stated. Inspired by the “Moneyball” philosophy, Sabah has focused on intelligent data usage and targeted recruitment to build a competitive edge. This methodical approach has allowed the club to thrive despite limited resources, proving that success in football can be achieved through innovation and dedication.