Wednesday proved to be a special night for Javier Saviola as the diminutive Argentinian veteran brought up a centenary of appearances in European competition.
However, rather than any involvement in the Champions League qualifying rounds, the former Barcelona, Real Madrid, Benfica and River Plate striker turned out for Andorra’s Encamp FC on the inaugural night of the 2018 UEFA Futsal Champions League.
Starting the night on 99 appearances in proper licensed UEFA matches (63 in the Champions League; 36 in the Europa League), the 36-year-old emerged from the bench in Encamp’s opening game against Sandefjord of Norway to make it a big one hundred.
Congratulations @JavierSaviolaOK – in 1 hour will make his 100th @UEFA club competition appearance – and his #UCLFutsal debut! – for Andorra’s Encamp against Sandefjord in Wiener Neustadt 💯 https://t.co/PF1HT3UHTV pic.twitter.com/fLPfUF5eWg
— UEFA Futsal (@UEFAFutsal) 29 August 2018
Sadly, Encamp went on to lose 2-1 to Sandefjord of Norway, though it was Saviola who notched their consolation goal.
With just the top side going through, the Andorrans are unlikely to make it up and out of Group B with Sandefjord playing Kampuksen Dynamo on Thursday evening in a potential group decider.