Portugal the Cup

 

The Portuguese Cup final was unusual – small clubs reached it, one of them not even in the top league: Estrela Amadora and Farense. During the 1980s Cup tournaments lost some of their importance around Europe and the trend seemingly affected Portugal at last: it was no longer surprising to see Second Division teams reaching Cup final and even winning them. Technically, Estrela Amadora should have been considered the favourite, for Farense was playing the second tier, but historically Farense was the stronger and better known club and they were leading their Second Division Zone, clearly on the way to returning to the top league. Meantime Estrela Amadora had insignificant season, mostly trying to escape relegation. Winning a trophy was serious matter, however, and contestants proved to be pretty much equal – the final ended 1-1 after overtime and replay was scheduled. In it again 2 goals were scored, however both belonged to Estrela Amadora – 2-0 and the Cup was in their hands.

Farense tried hard – hats down to them – but lost. Dramatic loss and no Cup. Well, they got promoted to First Division, so the season was not bad after all. Sitting from left: Luisão, Ciro, Dicá, Sérgio Duarte, Bahia, Lemajic, Humberto, Jorge Humberto, Jorge Soares, Fernando Cruz, João José
Middle row: Marinho (Roupeiro), Dr.Aníbal Ponte (Médico), Fernando Belo (Massagista), Elísio Gouveia (Preparador Físico), Pitico, Manuel Balela (Adjunto), Ricardo, Paco Fortes (Treinador), Pedro Teixeira (Director), antónio Boronha (Presidente), João Pedro Carvalho (Chefe do Departamento de Futebol), Álvaro Braga Júnior (Director), Formosinho, Marco, Nelo, Adériro Melro (Director), Fernando Pires (Adjunto)
Top row: Helinho, Orlando, Mané, Barão, Lima, Eugénio, Ademar, Xabregas, Pereirinha, Carlos Pereira, Vitinha.

Estreala Amadora clearly had their best ever season – the small club, so far mostly playing in the Second Division, never won anything. So, winning their first trophy made the squad instant local legends. Top row from left: Duilio (Brazil), Nelson Borges (Brazil), Bobo (Guinea Bissau), Joaquim Melo, Pedro Barny, Ricardo Lopes. Crouching: Paulo Bento, Baroti (Cape Verde), Rui Neves, Joaquim Rebelo, Chico Oliveira (Mozambique). No big stars here, of course, but the boys did their best and won, as it turned out, the only trophy in the history of the club. Wonderful triumph, not to be diminished at all by the fact they played against Second Division team and not against one of the big clubs – it was not their fault the big clubs failed to reach the Cup final. Portugal had new name added to the list of Cup winners, Estrela Amadora got a trophy to display at last, it was great.

Such winners deserve a second look in their full glory.