Tag: Chapecoense

Four months after crash, Chapecoense face opponents who embraced them

A night of love and appreciation between two clubs that will forever be linked

(Fox Sports Brasil/Twitter)

In the wake of the plane crash that killed all but three members of Chapecoense’s team traveling to Colombia for the first leg of the Copa Sudamericana final, their opponents Atletico Nacional, displayed admirable empathy in their handling of the situation. They proposed that Chapecoense be declared champions, which happened, and a bond was formed between the two clubs.

https://whatahowler.com/chapecoenses-opponents-rally-to-support-air-crash-devastated-club-ee8950602bdc

On Tuesday night, four months after the crash, Chapecoense and Atletico Nacional finally got to play each other in Chapeco for the first leg of the Recopa Sudamericana (South American Sup Cup). Chapecoense as Copa Sudamericana champions—gold badge on their shirts and all—and Nacional as Copa Libertadores champions.

When they first arrived, Nacional were given a hero’s welcome at the airport by Chape fans eager to show their respect and gratitude.

Before the match, a number of impassioned speeches were delivered, first from the mayors of the two cities. From the AP:

Inside the packed stadium, the mayors of Chapeco and Medellin embraced each other in what organizers called “a show of gratitude” to the Colombian visitors.

The Chapeco mayor Luciano Buligon, wearing a Nacional jersey and fighting back tears, told the crowd: “Chapecoense and Atletico Nacional will be brothers forever.”

Federico Gutierrez, the mayor of Medellin, was also highly emotional when he spoke. “Chapeco is now my home. Brazil is my home. Fraternity was born out of all this great tragedy,” he said.

The Chape players who survived the crash also spoke. Defender Neto said, “Don’t wait for a plane to crash to say ‘I love you’ and to ask for forgiveness,” said central defender Neto. “Don’t wait for a plane to crash to hug, kiss and show that love always wins in the end.”

Goalkeeper Jakson Follmann, who had to have part of his right leg amputated, said “I want a round of applause to all those that passed. If it weren’t for them, we wouldn’t be here.”

Though it would’ve been perfectly understandable if everyone was emotionally spent after all that, they then went on to play a match that Chape won 2–1.

The second leg will surely be equally emotional, as Chape will complete the journey that resulted in tragedy four months ago.


Chapecoense crash survivors receive Copa Sudamericana trophy at first match since the tragedy

A day of tribute and rebuilding


Chapecoense played their first match since the plane crash that 71 people, including 19 players and staff making their way to the first leg of the Copa Sudamericana final in November. A total of 22 new players and a new manager have been brought in the last month and a half so the club could carry on.

On Saturday, Chapecoense hosted Palmeiras in a friendly and before the match, they had the three players who survived the crash—Neto, Alan Ruschel, and Jackson Follmann—lift the Copa Sudamericana trophy, which was awarded to the club at the behest of their opponents, Atletico Nacional.

Winners medals were also awarded to the players and the families of those who died, who received half of the money raised by the match.

https://youtu.be/099K3B2JQY8

After falling behind early in the match, the rebuilt Chapecoense scored an equalizer in the 14th minute, finally giving the club something to celebrate.

The match was stopped in the 71st minute to honor the 71 people who died in the crash. After resuming, the match eventually ended in a 2–2 draw.

Though the day was more of a reminder of what was lost than a glimpse of what’s to come, inspiration should be taken from how Chape were able to not only survive such an overwhelming tragedy and rebuild so quickly, but to help take care of those who suffered unspeakable losses while doing so.


https://upscri.be/16bb19/

Chapecoense unveil new crest to commemorate crash victims and Copa Sudamericana title

One star to honor the dead and one to mark their work

(Chapecoense)

CONMEBOL decided to honor Atletico Nacional’s request and name Chapecoense 2016 Copa Sudamericana champions in the wake of the plane crash that killed 71 people traveling to Colombia for the first leg of the final. Now, Chape have unveiled a new crest that pays tribute to those who lost their lives and what they achieved.

https://whatahowler.com/chapecoenses-opponents-rally-to-support-air-crash-devastated-club-ee8950602bdc

“The first star makes reference to the conquest of the Copa Sudamericana,” says the club’s infographic (according to Google Translate). “It is white as a sign of peace. The peace found by our Eternal Champions. In addition, the white color symbolizes the light that will guide us forward.”

“The second star inside the letter F — which refers to football — is the subtle yet powerful way of eternalizing those who dedicated their lives to Chapecoense.”

As an added honor, Barcelona have invited Chape to be their opponents in the the friendly that will decide the winners of the Joan Gamper trophy next year. Says Barca’s statement on the matter:

FC Barcelona wants to pay tribute to the 71 people who died in the accident and their families, and will therefore make the 2017 Joan Gamper Trophy a great tribute to the world of football through various activities around this match which will become known as the date of this celebration approaches.

Along with the invitation to Chapecoense to the 2017 Joan Gamper Trophy, FC Barcelona would like to collaborate on the institutional and sporting reconstruction of the Club, and help to recover the competitive level that it had.

Chapecoense will never forget the tragedy they have endured, but now, fittingly, the people who gave the most for the club will forever be represented over the hearts of those who move the club forward in their name—in Barcelona and beyond.

https://whatahowler.com/chapecoenses-opponents-rally-to-support-air-crash-devastated-club-ee8950602bdc


Chapecoense’s opponents rally to support air-crash devastated club

The efforts to ensure that Chapecoense’s story doesn’t end with their overwhelming tragedy

(Chapecoense)

The plane crash that is believed to have killed 75 of the 81 people aboard a flight carrying Brazilian club Chapecoense to Colombia for the first leg of the Copa Sudamericana final could have been a tragic end to what once had the makings of a wonderful story.

Chapecoense climbed from the Brazilian fourth division to the top flight and their first ever continental final in a matter of seven years. This was supposed to be the high point of a club founded in 1973 that spent most of its existence in the lower divisions.

Now, only three members of the squad that traveled to Colombia are thought to have survived—Jackson Follman, Alan Ruschel, and Helio Hermito Zampier Neto—and three players who did not make the trip were left to mourn in an empty dressing room that once housed a now lost family.


Other clubs have been quick to rally around Chapecoense to try and ensure that the club can go on, to help those who remain and sustain the memory of those who have passed. Atletico Nacional, the club that would have faced Chapecoense in the Copa Sudamericana final, have asked CONMEBOL to declare Chapecoense, their “brothers,” champions of the tournament.

https://whatahowler.com/remembering-two-of-the-soccer-worlds-most-tragic-air-disasters-a815d07a3654

Back in Brazil, Flamengo, Palmeiras and Sao Paulo have all offered to loan players to Chapecoense for free (UPDATE: Argentina’s football federation made the same offer on behalf of their member clubs, as well). They have also asked that Chapecoense be exempt from relegation for three years. In addition, Palmeiras, who have already won Brazil’s domestic title this season and were the last opponents Chapecoense faced, have stated their desire to wear Chapecoense’s kit during their last match of the season.

Discussion of sporting interests might seem wholly unimportant in the immediate aftermath of such shocking devastation, but this is more about a community coming together than trophies or squad replenishment. It’s about trying to minimize future loss that would compound what has already been experienced. It’s about making do as best as they can.

https://www.gettyimages.com/license/626420406


https://upscri.be/16bb19

Referee changes his mind after sending off Palmeiras player, who runs back from dressing room

It was up to Palmeiras defender Egidio to stop Chapecoense’s William Barbio after he beat another defender with a clever move. Egidio’s challenge proved effective as he stripped Barbio of the ball, but the attacker also went to ground in the process. This prompted the referee to show Egidio a red card. It was not the end of the story, though.

While Egidio headed down the tunnel in disbelief, the referee consulted with his assistants, who told him that the challenge was actually a good one. To his credit, the referee took on his colleague’s advice and put his ego to one side, then told Egidio’s teammates to call him back from the dressing room. So Egidio came jogging back out to rapturous applause from the home crowd.

This was about the only thing that went Palmeiras’ way in this match, however. Chapecoense went on to win 5-1.

(Thanks to Ryan Lloyd for the tip!)