Newark Becomes ‘Mini Marquis’ at Benfica Celebration in USA

Dozens of Benfica fans turned Ferry Street – a street in the North American city of Newark – into a “mini marquis” where they celebrated after a “difficult championship” but from which Benfica emerged a “fair winner” on Saturday. .

Young fan Francisco Felisberto, who lives in New York, admitted that he suffered in this final stretch of the championship, fearing that Porto would overtake the “incarnate”, but stressed to Luza Benfica’s “permanence” throughout the season.

“I think Benfica slackened a bit in the last stretch, but I think we were pretty consistent throughout the season. Compared to previous seasons, we showed a much better game than in previous seasons, so I think we deserved this championship, and I think we did really well, ”said the young fan.

Benfica have become Portuguese Football Champions for the 38th time after beating Red Lantern Santa Clara 3-0 at home in the game of the 34th and final round of the Portuguese League I.

After a drought for three seasons, the incarnations returned to celebrate the national title by finishing League One with 87 points, two more than Porto.

“Given the recent circumstances of the championship, I was a little afraid that Porto could overtake Benfica, but I think we were strong and deserved the championship. I think all the players did well, but I think it was a big contribution. from the coach. I think he was a very important figure. We changed coaches at the beginning and I think everything went very well,” said the same fan.

Francisco Felisberto traveled to Newark for the first time – the city that has one of the largest Portuguese communities in the United States – to watch the latest league game, and he was not disappointed.

“It’s an incredible atmosphere, I never thought it was something like that, very good. I think we have a “mini marquis” here. (…) Congratulations to the players and the team,” he congratulated.

There was no shortage of songs, champagne and plenty of animation at the Newark “made” party, with widespread praise for the team and for Roger Schmidt, the German coach who led Benfica to their 38th Portuguese football title.

For Carlos Ribeiro, the championship figure was João Neves “for his youth and new style of play” and the Benfica coach “for the experience he brought to the team”.

“It was very difficult. It was a great championship, it was very difficult, but it was worth waiting for the last game. It’s more emotional that the championship is decided on the last day, it’s a lot of emotions. As you can see, the explosion was unanimous,” said Ribeiro, a New Jersey resident.

Fan Francisco Morais, for his part, told Lusa that he traveled from Arcos de Valdeves to Newark for the purpose of tourism and did not hide his happiness that he managed to celebrate winning the championship among compatriots.

“First of all, long live Benfica! Great champion. I came to celebrate in New Jersey, but I’m Portuguese, I’m here on vacation (…) and I liked it. This victory is the biggest and most important thing in the world for me. The championship started very well, then it became shaky, but it turned out to be very good. I want to take this opportunity to congratulate all the Portuguese who live in the area,” said Morais, between hugs from other Benfica fans.

Fan Joao Ferreira also considered Benfica a “fair winner”, despite a “break” in the last straight, from which he managed to recover.

“We started first and finished first. Benfica were always ahead, they had a break, but they recovered and became fair winners. (…) The players, the coach, Rui Costa, all those people who are associated with Benfica were the protagonists, he defended.

Ferry Street, also known as the heart of “Little Portugal” due to its sizable Portuguese community, was partially closed for about an hour due to celebrations by Benfica fans.

However, the celebration was brought to a halt due to the local police moving to Ferry Street to reopen the traffic and prevent the celebration in the center of the street.