Fans of Universitario de Deportes team cheer their team during the second game against Alianza Lima … [+] of the play off in the Copa Cable Magico at Monumental Stadium on December 13, 2009 in Lima, Perú.
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If you haven’t realised it yet, South America is a continent where the people live and breathe football at a whole new level. This week saw another fine example of how passion for the beautiful game knows no bounds in the Latin world.
Club Universitario de Deportes of Lima, Peru celebrated their centenary, and they did so in style. The Estadio Monumental in Lima is one of the most iconic in South American football. As well as being home to this great team, it has a wondrous back drop of mountains and desert sky, and it has an impressive capacity of over 80,000 spectators.
This week the stadium filled up once again, but not for a match, instead for a party. The gran fiesta of “La U” on their 100th birthday. The sort of celebration that you might not come across in Europe or North America, and certainly not one you would sell out such a big stadium for.
Supporters of Peru’s Universitario de Deportes attend Monumental stadium to cheer their team up … [+] against Brazil’s Sao Paulo at the round-of-16 of Libertadores Cup 2010 on April 28, 2010 in Lima, Peru.
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A carnival atmosphere worked its way up to some incredible midnight fireworks at the exact point the club turned 100. Dance and music acts played songs all night long, fans wore club colours and there was even a video message from FIFA President Gianni Infantino.
One of the first team players remarked “grande hay uno solo” when the team had their turn on the stage. Essentially meaning “there is only one big team in Peru.” It’s true that Universitario have won 27 first division titles, two more than rivals Alianza Lima and seven more than Sporting Cristal, but to suggest they are the only big club in Peru would be a stretch. Having said that this is a very normal way for a South American fanbase to profess love for their own club whilst denouncing their rivals. It’s all part of the game.
Universitario however have failed to shine on the continental stage over the years. They haven’t been able to compete with the big clubs of Argentina and Brazil in recent times either, but in Peru they are a huge entity who’s female side have also captured 10 titles. This week’s celebrations mark 100 years of a club that has set the standard in Peru, but still has chapters to write in their illustrious history.
This season “La U” topped the table in the opening half of the Peruvian league campaign, and they only conceded seven goals in 17 games. However they finished bottom of their Copa Libertadores group and have started the second half of the domestic campaign with 10 points from five games. League success is still likely but it’s another early exit on the continent for Universitario.
Fans of Peru’s Universitario cheer their team during the match against Argentina’s Lanus as part of … [+] 2010 Libertadores Cup at Monumental Stadium on February 17 in Lima, Peru.
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Publish date : 2024-08-07 19:05:00
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