Flamengo Chants
Ok so the other day I told you I saw the most amazing thing. That has already been replaced.
Before I begin, I have been measuring my Portugues based on communication with taxi drivers. Not a great yard stick I know cause its dependent on their personality and knowledge of English but each time I am understanding more and more and we can have longer conversations. This guy was a big Vasco de Gama fan telling me of past successes, Juninho Pernambucano and his famous free kick, Coutinho, who I later discovered only played 19 games whilst on loan, and how they rinse flamengo for not having estadio. Showing me videos on his phone whilst driving and filming me giving shit to his Flamengo friends which enthused him massively.
Well I'm sorry to Flamengo fans and I'm glad they don't have a stadium, because they play in the Maracana and the atmosphere there last night was the greatest thing I've ever seen. The estadio was full of fans in red and black, minus the quarter for away fans, and they did not stop singing, the whole game. We were stood close to the group of fans leading it and I say stood because the whole crowd was stood up, more peoples feets were on seats than were peoples asses.
3 photos from this gallery weren’t in the backup.
The game was alright, 3rd postion Flamengo dominating against 3rd from bottom, as the Irish lad next to me exclaimed - the equivalent of Man United vs Derby. But the fans made it seem as if it was a champions league semi. Backed by the beat of a samba esque drum who kept in rhythm for the whole game, only silent for half time and the first 3 minutes of the second half. He would occasionally slow the pace as the crowd built until a faster beat began prompting the crowd to release all their energy in loud chants of Flamengo along with a slow arm throw. We all became very caught up in it. Beers were about £1.60 and delivered to the seats like popcorn sellers. Amazing
They won 1-0 and I don't think I could've handled more goals, the whole 90 minutes being very intense.
On the way down they did not walk down, huddled up, scurrying to go, but danced and sang almost as a collective unit. With the drumming.
My pockets were shit so I held my phone and wallet in my hand tightly, a danish guy we were with had had his phone pickpocketed on the way in. So holding it seemed a good idea, but a guy flew past, tried to grab them out my hand on the way through. He did not succeed gave me a scared look and continued to bustle through. Maybe stupid but also worked, so I feel validated. Although I then wrapped it up in the vest I was swinging round with the other hand, a much safer idea.
It was honestly the best atmosphere I've ever seen at a football game and sorry dad but I now love the drums in the stadium and will debate this with you forever. The whole game was a rhythmic dance and the Maracana will go down as the best club I've been to. Anywhere.
Flamengo Chants
