Brazil soccer fans celebrate success
Restaurant a community magnet for World Cup
It was pure euphoria for Brazil as they beat Serbia on Wednesday, and secured a seat in the Round of 16 at the World Cup on the same day that nemesis Germany was eliminated from the tournament.
Vancouver Brazilian joint Boteco Brasil was brimming with fans, friends and family alike — celebrations spilling onto Nanaimo Street as the referee’s whistle marked the end of a 2-0 victory. A massive projector in the main hall and a TV on the patio kept a packed crowd of Vancouverites peering at the game as the team spent most of the first half trying to break through Serbia’s defence.
“With this momentum, more goals are destined,” said Leandro Farias, who comes to this restaurant to watch his home country’s games.
A steady stream of patrons with Neymar and Ronaldo jerseys trickled in, while others stopped by in their work clothes to catch a glimpse of the match. A band of Brazilian samba drums kept the beat of a lively celebration going.
The team is set on a path for redemption from the devastating 7-1 defeat to Germany in the 2014 semifinals on home soil that continues to scar the psyche for many fans. And after struggling in their opening match in this Cup, goals by Paulinho and Thiago Silva against Serbia boosted the Brazilian fans’ confidence as Brazil remains unbeaten, topping Group E.
“I feel like we can win the whole thing, but I’ve got to remain humble,” Farias said. “I’m going to Brazil in July, so I’ll be there for the quarterfinal and final.”
But for Canadian-Brazilians who are far from home, Boteco is a place that makes the distance feel shorter. Bia DeSousa has been coming to the restaurant with her family for every Brazil game.
“Everything from the food to the ambience reminds us of home. Brazil winning just made it better,” she said, as her 2-1/2-year-old daughter Lohanna embraced the celebrations.
Fans snacked on coxinhas, a popular street food with shredded chicken, layered with mashed potato and wrapped with crispy, deepfried dough. A few beers were also acceptable as the match stretched past the afternoon.
But with some games starting at the crack of dawn this year, none of this is easy, explains Eliane Trovo, Boteco Brasil’s manager.
“Coxinhas are a lot of work to prepare,” she said. “We open at least two hours early to cut up and prepare the ingredients, so we can mix them in the moment.”
The restaurant has become a de-facto community centre of sorts.
And for Trovo, who’s not usually a soccer fan yearround, the Cup brings warmth to the restaurant’s halls.
“I get the goosebumps as soon as (the team) walks on the field,” Trovo said.
But after stunning defeats for some of the soccer powerhouses that were expected to comfortably navigate the round robin in Russia, the tournament has proven to be all the more unpredictable.
“Everything is looking good for us right now, but anything is possible,” Farias said.
Mexico lost to Sweden on Wednesday, after having beaten both Germany and South Korea. Standing at second in its group, Mexico is slated to play Brazil in the knockout stage Monday at 7 a.m. Pacific.
The timing, of course, is not a worry for Trovo.
“Bring it on,” she said, adding that Boteco Brasil will open bright and early at six with a breakfast menu.