THETorreense fans today showed confidence that the II League club could surprise English side Sunderland in the Europa League, immortalizing what they hope will be an unforgettable family day.
“It’s going to be a very competitive game, but I think we’re going to win 2-1. Mark (Manu) Pozo and anyone else”, one of the fans of the ‘gray blue’ told Lusa, two hours before the match of the second round of the league phase, scheduled for 5:45 pm at the Dr. Magalhães Pessoa Stadium, in Leiria.
At 13 years old and with fixed ideas, Gonçalo Faustino, who will be one of the match’s ball catchers, praised a very special day.
“This moment is exciting and we really enjoy being here. I’m very happy to experience this game close to the players and it’s going to be a unique experience”, said the young footballer from the club from the municipality of Torres Vedras, while waiting with his friends to take action on a stage where, he revealed, he would one day like to compete.
Next door, the mother was also visibly happy.
“This is a historic moment. It’s almost magical”, said Maria Inês Nunes, who insisted on accompanying her son, and also the team, to Leiria.
As for predictions, he supported the same idea as his son, betting on a 2-1 “with goals from Pozo and Javi (Vázquez)”, and certain that Torreense still has arguments to make more history.
After the unprecedented 2-1 victory in their debut against Norwegian side Lillestrom, Torreense seeks to continue making history and the first game as host, even in a ‘borrowed house’, was the occasion for a family day out.
So says Mário Francisco, who follows the club from the West all over the country and who had already been present in the final of the Portuguese Cup and the Super Cup.
As there are no two without three, he made a point of going to the Dr. Magalhães Pessoa Stadium, in Leiria, to watch Torreense’s first ever European game as a guest.
Flanked by his nephew, the ‘gray blue’ fan, he bet on a 1-1 draw, with (Alejandro) Alfaro scoring Torreense’s goal.
Next to the stadium, João Jacinto was also starting to gain enthusiasm for a game that he will watch alongside the bird.
“The first time I went to see Torreense was with my grandfather and today I thought it would be good to go with him again. We will never see this again in our lives”, he explained, only regretting the fact that the game would be played at the Leiria venue and far from Torres Vedras.
At 77 years old, the grandfather remembers the club’s glorious achievements, but highlights this as the “highest” moment in Torreense’s history.
Regarding the game, he showed high levels of confidence: “2-1 for Torreense. It doesn’t matter who the opponent is”, he exclaimed, an idea that did not deserve his grandson’s total agreement.
“Not wanting to conflict with my grandfather’s good disposition, I believe in a 2-2”, he joked.
The path taken by Torreense so far has gained repercussions all over the world and proof of this was the caution shown by a young Sunderland fan.
“I’m not sure what to expect from this game”, he admitted, revealing himself to be pleased with Torreense’s campaign and noting that the final result “will depend on how the teams perform on the field”.
Asked to give a guess on the final result, he reiterated his “distrust” about what Torreense might be able to do against his team and preferred not to anticipate scenarios.
The duel between the team that occupies 15th place in the second tier of Portuguese football, an unprecedented winner of the Portuguese Cup, and the 17th placed team in the Premier League will start at 17:45, and will be refereed by the Albanian Enea Jorgji.
