After 14 long years since the last national title – exactly the Copa do Brasil anno 1998, with Luiz Felipe Scolari commanding the team – Palmeiras are back. And what a comeback. Discredited and criticised, the squad united in such a way that not even the chaotic environment, the frequent injuries and the assault from mainstream media were able to change the path to victory. It was written, it had to be. Palmeiras yesterday overtook Santos as the team with most Brazilian national titles: 10 (eight Brazilian Championships and two Brazil Cup titles). This year’s campaign was the best in the history of the Brazil Cup (in the current format, since 1989): 11 games, 8 victories and 3 draws; 23 goals scored and 6 goals conceded. Palmeiras, undefeated champion!
Yesterday’s line-up: Bruno; Artur, Maurício Ramos, Thiago Heleno (Leandro Amaro, 37′/1st H) and Juninho; Henrique, Marcos Assunção, João Vítor (Márcio Araújo, 29′/2nd H) and Daniel Carvalho (Luan, 11′/2nd H); Mazinho and Betinho.
We recognised Palmeiras from previous games in the Copa do Brasil: cautious, confident, biding their time. The rain and the poor state of the pitch helped the Verdão slowly cook Coritiba and Palmeiras actually create more chances then the opponent. We went goalless to the halftime break, with Coritiba returning naturally more eager to push the offense due to a need to score at least two goals. And it was Coxa who opened up the scorecard with a perfect free kick taken by Ayrton 16 minutes into the game. Before tension could set in, Marcos Assunção (who else) took a free kick which was beautifully timed by Betinho (who had lost a golden opportunity in the first half), deflecting it just enough to see the ball squeeze in by the farthest goalpost. Mission accomplished.
.
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At the blow of the whistle, every Palmeiras player was crying with emotion. Bruno, who later was to receive the award for best keeper in the tournament, was actually on his knees even before the final whistle, letting it all out. Scolari, when handed the trophy, took it straight to the edge of the field, in front of the Palmeiras supporters, and presented it to them in the clearest gesture of recognition and pride. Beautiful. Majestic. Dignifying.
The importance of this title cannot be underestimated, especially if considering the newest generation of Palmeiras supporters. 14 years of mockery from rivals is a long time and for our youngest supporters, actually a lifetime.
The Brazil Cup title, next year’s participation in the Libertadores Cup, the inauguration of the New Arena, then the club’s 100th anniversary… There is a lot to look forward to. I still get cold shivers when imagining where we would be had we not triumphed yesterday.
It’s time to commemorate, but there are two things that need special attention: one short termed and one medium/long termed. 1) the Brasileirão. Palmeiras are in the relegation zone and need to refocus immediately. 2) the club’s statutes and other political reforms. Palmeiras won this title because of the determination of the squad, Scolari (and all his staff) and the supporters. Palmeiras won in spite of the club’s directors. Change is no less needed today than yesterday. And it’s up to us to make it happen.
— ooo —
Ending on a personal reflection: I’ve lived in Brazil for 14 years; I’ve been a palmeirense for 14 years. This was my first national title. And yes, I say “my”. I wouldn’t have used that expression a few years back, but today I feel – I KNOW – that I belong to a family, that I’ve done my part, that I – be it in whatever small and immeasurable way – have contributed to Palmeiras, to this victory, to this title. This is also MY Copa do Brasil title, and I’m immensely proud of it.
AVANTI PALESTRA!
ANYTHING PALMEIRAS 
The last part of the post is very touching. I´m glad you feel part of the Palmeiras family and truly know what´s like to be a palmeirense 🙂
Let´s keep partying!!! See u
Thank you Sandro. Thank you!
The World is GREEN! Palmeiras my life is you!
Hi Kristian, for sure you’re one of us, you’ve always been. Congrats, Champion !
É nois, Newton! Thanks, brother!
We Are The Champions, My Friend!!
Oh yes we are, very much so. Avanti, Igor! Volte sempre!
Greetings form Greece. Althought i’m a Cruzeiro fan, i have to congratulate Palmeiras for this triumph. It was about time for “verdao” to make a come back.
Hey Akis, thanks for stopping by and leaving your congratulations, especially being a cruzeirense! Thank you so much! You know, in the old days, Cruzeiro was also Palestra Italia… Same background – Italian immigrants! Cheers, take care!
Kristian
Champions
Kristian, it’s been a year or so, that i’ve discovered “anythingpalmeiras” and you are doing a really good job. I’m a sports journalist and my main subject is Brasilian Serie A, B, Copa do Brasil, Copa Sudamericana and Lubertadores. I beleive that Palmeiras will benefit from this achievement and quality players (at last!) will join the club. I’ m also trying to send Selco Roth away from Cruzeiro…hehe…I don’t appreciate him at all.
Again, great to have you visiting this space! And I kinda agree with you on Mr. Roth, he wasn’t too popular with palmeirenses either during his time at the Verdão.
Cheers, have a great weekend!
Kris
Congratulations for your post and your passion for ‘Big Green’!
Emotional post! Cheers for you, my brother!!!
Thanks, Vlad! And thanks for stopping by and leaving your comments! Hope to see you a lot around here! Abraços!
Your site and words are from a autenthic palmeirense and we, palmeirenses, are proud of it. Thank you.
Dear Jose Lucio, thank you for your kind words! Have a great weekend!
BOA KRISTIAN! vo fala em portugues porque sei que tu entende!! vlw por divulgar nosso time irmao. È TUDO NOSSO!!!!!!!!!!
Valeu Luiz! Sim, tudo, tudo nosso! : )
EPIC! I can’t think of any other word to describe this title, after all we’ve been through the past 12 years, after all we’ve been through this Copa do Brasil, we deserve it the most.
Thanks for the awesome blog, you’re a true palmeirense, I wish there were more people like you in the club.
Epic… Yes, that almost covers it. ; )
João, thank you so much for stopping by, leaving you comment and for the positive feedback! Volte sempre!
Yes, my young green comrade!!! This Brazil Cup conquer gave me an inexplicable feelings and drove me mad, made me scream, cry, laugh, jump and run out to the streets with a Palmeiras banner in hand…it was so CRAZY!!! And I already saw Palmeiras winning many championships since the 1970´s years, can you imagine??? Yes, I´m over 50(LOL). But this one was for me like the first time!!
It was so, so thrilling and too hard for the players and for all of us supporters over the world like it never had happened…You know, son, that´s why only WE know what is to be PALMEIRENSE!!!! GREEN GREETINGS!!!
That’s the spirit, young at heart! And your lines is just one more example of how INCREDIBLY important this title was for all us palmeirenses. And for the squad as well. It’s a difference of night and day!
Hope to see you a lot around here! Volte sempre!
Kristian
Well, Kristian…I think I misunderstood in a thing about you. I misunderstood about your age, man. The first time I read the post I thought you were only 14 years-old. I´m so stupid…You´ve LIVING in Brazil for 14 years. You can see how my english is so poor!!!!! I´ve just noticed that when I saw your profile…sorry, man!!! Anyway, it doesn´t matter. You are PALMEIRENSE, that´s what´s matter!!! VIVA o PALMEIRAS!!
HAHAHA, hilarious! I wish my English would have been like this when I was 14! : )
Take care, my friend! Talk soon!