Victory over Fafe in the semi=finals puts Torreense against Sporting in the Portuguese Cup final. A look at Luis Tralhao’s fantastic season, the renovations at the Manuel Marques Stadium and the connection to the local club.
A historic night. A party that lasted until dawn. Torres Vedras repeats the history of 1956, and the fans experience something unprecedented in almost everyone’s lives. But the truth is, the sky’s the limit, and in this context, that sky is the top tier of Portuguese football.
A few hours before the crucial match , the atmosphere outside the Manuel Marques Stadium is festive, especially among the home fans, who are outnumbered by their rivals. Even so, the fair play seen at the end of the game, with Fafe players being applauded by the home crowd and vice-versa, was also noticeable near the stadium.
Among the approximately 3,600 fans who came to support Torreense, two spoke to Maisfutebol and explained a little about the club’s season, led by Luis Tralhao, which could be historic, with promotion to a higher division coupled with participation in the Portuguese Cup final.
For context, the conversations took place even before the game’s outcome was known, although Mário Ferreira’s favoritism towards the opponent was corroborated by both sides. One of the fans we spoke to has the distinction of being from Torreense… and liking Sporting. It would be the best of both worlds, Mr. Luis confesses to us.
In Torres Vedras, some people confess to having two loves.
I support Sporting, but I like Torreense more. It’s a century-old club, a humble club with serious people. It’s not a club that gets into controversies, there aren’t major conflicts with other clubs, he adds. Without wanting to get carried away, as he himself says, he has a feeling that it’s possible for the Second League team to do something unprecedented in the history of the competition and get the better of a First Division team. I don’t know if Torreense won’t beat Sporting in the final. When things go well, it’s a great team.
Looking back, the last time Torreense played in the Liga was in 1992, the year FC Porto won their 12th title. José Pina was only one year old then, he doesn’t remember anything about that sad day in the club’s history, but he won’t forget this year’s success. It’s a dream that’s been around for a long time, we’ve all been fighting for it over the years.
The main architect has a name: Luís Tralhão. A coach who won the Liga Revelação (Revelation League) with the under-23s and took over the first team in January of this year. There’s a sense of fear about the past and the success of other coaches who ended up leaving the club. “I believe that coaches who manage to have a structure and are consistent should always be kept. It’s a regret we have as fans that when the teams are performing well and the club is rising, they end up giving up on them.
The entrance to the Manuel Marques Stadium is through the main gate, intended for home fans, and a small staircase leads to the press box. From there, one can appreciate the well-maintained pitch and an unusual detail, or something of the sort. Behind one of the stands, a hospital offers a privileged view of the game to some of its patients or healthcare professionals. We don’t know how many people use it, but some lights were on in the windows during the 90 minutes.
Nevertheless, the conditions of the venue are a matter that deserves full attention, so that the scenario of Casa Pia, which is forced to play in Rio Maior, is not repeated. “The facilities are like this and everyone sees what’s here. To get promoted to the League and then be moved here and there… we need to think more carefully. We have the case of Casa Pia, which has nobody in the stadium. We would have many more fans in the stadium,” Mr. Luís confesses to us.
So what does it mean to be a Torreense supporter? Are there many differences compared to other clubs? To other fans? To other realities? Torres Vedras is a city with about 84,000 inhabitants. That’s a fact. Torres Vedras is known for its carnival. Correct. Torres Vedras was the birthplace of one of the greatest names in national sport, Joaquim Agostinho. Historic. But in football, is there that same commitment and dedication to the local club.
I’ve been here for three years, I could leave and go somewhere else, but I’ll always remain connected to Torreense, explains Mr. Luís. They’re very determined people. Now, for the city of Torres Vedras, the club should have many more fans. Both interviewees leave the impression that Torreense doesn’t attract all the fans, and this causes them to disperse to smaller clubs within the region. “It’s a region very connected to grit and determination on the field, and you can see that with other teams around here.
At the end of the game, an explosion of joy. The unthinkable repeats itself, 70 years after their last appearance in a Cup final. The way out is the same as the way in, but in the air (besides the fireworks) you can smell history. Next up is one of the sharks of Portuguese football, and another 90 minutes separate Torreense from giving a different shape to a season that has all the makings of being unforgettable.