March 5, 2023: a day that will be etched in the memory of all Évora football fans. Historical, traditional and (very) An old man star field It will host the last derby between Lusitano de Évora and Juventud de Évora.
A game that transcends generations and carries the most nostalgic memories (we weren’t talking about a derby between two centuries-old teams). The return of the derby to the legendary Estrella, after four years, a reason to smile but also a reason to regret: It would be the last at the stadium, which opened in 1931.
This is because, in 2006, iForb – a real estate company – made a deal with the Lusitano company to buy Campo Estrela. On the other hand, the construction of the Silverinha Sports Complex located on the outskirts of the city – where the national team trained before participating in the 2006 World Cup – was dedicated to the green and white logo.
Despite this, after several court wars, it was not until 2022 that an agreement was reached for the Silveirinha land to become the property of Lusitano. Currently, the club is still playing matches in Campo Estrela but is already using the Silveirinha in its youth teams.
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@employee
“It’s just another stadium.”And “I was really old”. Dear reader, if these are your first impressions when observing Campo Estrella with the naked eye, don’t worry, it’s normal. A superficial look will not understand the symbolism of one of the oldest stadiums in Portugal. To do this, we need to go back in time.
More precisely to 1952: The period that started the first division journey of Lusitano Club, Alentejo Club with the most years in the first division. She was 14 seasons in total and fifth place in 1956/1957, which is recorded as the club’s best ranking in history.
In addition, Campo Estrela was the scene of “big” games and memorable victories. A home defeat against Benfica, in 1957, was an epic feat, however, defeats against FC Porto (1952) and Sporting (1962) certainly enter the books (and memories) of Lusitano fans.
“It’s not an ordinary match for the fans.”
The derby footprints from Évora, in Campo Estrella, will always be etched in history… But the story isn’t over yet. The biggest derby in Évora will once again see the late Estrella on the horizon and is expected to be on a good pitch.
Joao has coached Juventude and is currently the coach of Lusitano @ Arquivo Pessoa
a zero zeroto understand how the derby lives among the centenarians of the city of Évora, he went to meet Joao Niveathe current coach of Lusitano and the former coach of Juventus de Evora.
The 32-year-old acknowledges the weight of the symbolism involved in the game and points to two reasons: first, the fact that it is the last big derby in Campo Estrella, and second, because of the championship. It should be noted that Lusitano (38 points) and Juventude (35) occupy the second and third places, respectively, in the Serie D of the Portuguese championship, and there are clearly not only three points at hand.
“It is not an ordinary game for the fans and people from the city of Évora. Not only because of the rivalry but also, mainly, because they have a lot of derby feel. Especially in the national championship something that hasn’t happened in a long time. There’s a weight to being able to be the last derby in Campo Estrella, a place full of symbolism. When we enter Campo Estrella, we see this historical dimension through the images of the past. He began by introducing us to our gate.
Regarding the environment, João reinforced the “special nature of the game” and revealed that there was a very high demand for tickets: “something with no memory”
“The game is special, and from the moment players start warming up, they already know how many people are going to watch the game. The human frame I felt on the first lap was special and guaranteed to be repeated. Besides, dozens of people have purchased a large number of tickets! Something that has no memory, ”he continued.
The competitors are separated by a street
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Have you ever imagined entering your team’s parking lot and seeing your opponent’s stadium as a backdrop? This is what happens between Lusitano and Juventude! Two teams live rivalry with a very unusual closeness.
«There is a major rivalry between the two clubs, separated by a street. It is curious, for example, when both teams are playing at the same time, and if one brand and the other do not win, there is immediately a commotion in the stands saying “These guys are already winning!” [risos]According to Joao Nivea, the coach who began his experience at Juventud de Evora, Lusitano’s rival, where he coached the team for six matches.
Joao Nivea, coach of Lusitano
“When I was at Juventude, I ended up in a period that was very marked by the pandemic, that is, without an audience in the stands, which did not provide a great connection with the fans beyond digital.”
Regarding the goals until the end of the season, the 32-year-old coach assumes that the season has exceeded his expectations and talks about two goals that have already been achieved: “rebuilding history” and “bringing the club’s fans closer. together”.
The derby is scheduled for March 5th, at 15:00, and will be emphasized as another important milestone in the Alentejo capital. On the one hand, Lusitano – a 111-year-old club – and on the other, Juventude, the blue emblem with 105 years of history. battle old fashion And what will be farewell An old man Starfield.
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