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Brazil is famous for it's football and one of the must see things to do in Brazil was catch a game. Myself & Maire decided to catch a local derby, between Flamengo and Fluminense.
Flamingo are one of the most widely supported teams in the world, with massive support in most parts of the city. But all teams have a passionate fan base, like nothing I've ever experiences before. Both teams were level in the league, joint on points at 5th and 6th place, with only two months left so the stakes were more than just bragging rights. I'm not the biggest football fan, but I did find out that Ronaldinho plays for Flamengo, although he wasn't on the team for this match.
The stadium was about half an hour away. Flamengo normally play at the biggest stadium in Brazil, the Maracana stadium, but it's being done up for the World Cup and Olympics so we were at the Engenhao stadium, also being used for the Olympics. Its got a running track around the pitch meaning fans are further from the pitch which normally means less of an atmosphere but I don't think that's possible in Brazil.
We arrived almost three hours before the match, as there were many in our group and the seats aren't designated. I was expecting an almost empty stadium, but there were already a couple of hundred fans there. And it wasn't quiet either - a drum band was in full swing and the chants were building. We were on the Flamengo side, so were aurrounded by red and black stripes. As the hours decreased before kick off the numbers and the noise grew and grew, including more drums, giant flags and ginormous banners. I couldn't take in a bottle of water, but it was ok to being in four or five metre long bamboo poles for flags! The banners were big enough to cover half the fans on our side of the stadium. The noise was impressive too - imagine the best Fields of Athenry you've heard, at Ireland v England (for intensity), add a little bit more volume, with drums and clapping for good rythm and arm motions depending on the chant, then continue for two or more hours. Immense!
The game itself was slow to start. The first half finished nil all with only a handful of shots. The fans were not quiet though. The second half gave us the entertainment the neutrals were looking for - although we could hardly call ourselves neutrals anymore after joining in the chants and dancing for Flamengo.
Fluminese went 1-0 up, much to the disappointment around us. Bar the first four or five seconds after the goal, when the Flamengo fans went silent, the noise increased - drums, claps and chants all got louder, encouraging the Flamengo players as much as possible to come back. It worked - maybe 10 minutes later came the equaliser. To say the crowd went wild is an understatement.
But then more disaster - 2-1 to Fluminese. But again, bar the first few seconds of initial shock, the fans only got louder. Again they were rewarded. After a period where Fluminese dominated, a long range free kick was awarded to Flamengo - it managed to hit the bar, bounce off the back of the keeper and land in the net. 2-2, maybe two or three minutes to go, game on.
Flamengo were on top for these final few minutes. The digital red numbers went up signalling four minutes of stoppage time. Flamengo had a couple of chances with their increased pressure and scored a stunning long range winner. 3-2 up followed shortly by the final whistle. The fans around us were bouncing around, singing, clapping and hugging each other, delighted with the comeback and the result.
For some highlights and all the goals watch this video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=esIo2_eiZ8M
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Gemma Enjoyed that - could almost imagine myself at it. Mum