IT SHOULD HAVE been the greatest moment in a young club’s history.
Instead, it has turned out to be the darkest.
Chapecoense, the Brazilian team whose plane went down about 50km from Medellin, Colombia’s second largest city today, were on their way to play Atletico Nacional in the first leg of the Copa Sudamericana final, the equivalent of the Europa League.
Formed in 1973 in the city of Chapecó, Chapecoense won their first state title in 1977 and claimed a fifth success this year.
However, they have struggled in their short history and as recently as eight seasons ago were playing in the fourth tier of Brazilian football.
In 2014 though, they were promoted to Serie A for the first time since 1979 after finishing second to Palmeiras in Serie B.
Last week they defeated Argentina’s San Lorenzo on away goals to book their spot in the Copa Sudamericana final.
Among the teams most notable players is club captain Cleber Santana.
The 35-year-old central midfielder spent three years with Atletico Madrid before returning to Sao Paulo in 2010.
Micheal Owen continuing his never ending quest to try and make pool fans like him again. Give it up lad.
I just love Villarreal, same population as Galway,what a story,may not be over yet..?
@Gerry campbell: villareal has no supermac’s though.
@Fred spins kdb: where as Galway has about 20.
@Fred spins kdb: Don’t be giving Pat idea’s.
If only Liverpool had thrown away a couple of 2 goal leads earlier in the season the league would be asgood as in the bag now,still one can’t really complain with how things are turning out on the cup runs.
Glorious
When you speak it hard to know which red shirt is that Michael?!
@Pol Mac An Sionnaigh: brush Ur teeth and get into bed Pol
@O’Brien Michael: is that a proposition?
@Pol Mac An Sionnaigh: ffs man
@Pol Mac An Sionnaigh: brilliant. Haha
@David Gaffney: go home and count the sheep David