なでしこジャパンの優勝

嬉しいしらせ。3連休中で無理なく最後まで見ることができた人も多いと思う。
CNNの速報が読ませる内容。
この中で、2段落目のsentimental favoritesというのは「お涙ちょうだい的な優勝候補」という意味なのだろうか？

The Japanese women's soccer team won the World Cup after defeating the United States on penalty kicks Sunday night, rallying from a pair of one-goal deficits to capture its first-ever world title.
The Japanese had been dubbed “sentimental favorites,” their strong play and surprising run having buoyed their countrymen back home still trying to recover from a massive earthquake this spring that triggered a devastating tsunami and a nuclear crisis.
Japan shocked host Germany by a 1-0 score in the quarterfinals, then defeated a potent Sweden team 3-1 to advance to the finals.
The World Cup win marks the first time the Japanese national women's team has beaten the U.S. The teams have met 25 previous times.