Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: MONDAY, July 18, 1994 TAG: 9407180055
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C1 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: MIKE HUDSON STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
A mass of people in green-and-yellow soccer jerseys stood in front, jumping up and down. When Brazil's goalie stopped an Italian shot, pandemonium broke out. Whistles blew. Flags waved. Someone kissed the screen.
About 70 people gathered in the Pebble Creek clubhouse Sunday to watch the game between Italy and Brazil. Perhaps 50 of them were Brazilians who now live in Western Virginia.
They traveled from as far away as Blacksburg and Charlottesville to be part of the crowd. Their distance from their native country didn't diminish their enthusiasm.
Nilton Ribeiro, who lives in Roanoke and owns a restaurant in Charlottesville, said the streets across Brazil are painted green and yellow, the national colors. "We have 150 million people. It's a big hope for us. It will be like a change for the good - for hope."
Cristiane Franca said a victory would mean a lot - maybe even a boost in the economy. She said Brazil is going through big changes, trying to control inflation. "If Brazil wins, I believe more people in our country will believe in our economic plan."
Franca, who moved to the United States from Rio de Janeiro four years ago, now lives in Charlottesville. About 30 Brazilians live in the university town, she said.
Americans are very friendly, she said, but perhaps not as quick as people in Brazil to trade phone numbers or invite you over for a party. That can make things a bit lonely, so Sunday's gathering was especially sweet - Brazilians were together, watching the game just as they would be in Brazil.
"This is something we have in our culture," she said. "We get together to watch the game together."
Ribeiro - who said there are at least 86 Brazilians living in the Roanoke Valley - agreed. "You can see a little piece of Brazil here," he said as the second half of the match began. "But it's nothing like what's going on in Brazil. When we win, it's going to be like a holiday for the next two weeks in Brazil. They stop the whole country.
"In Brazil, everything is soccer," he added. "We don't have the basketball. We don't have the baseball. When you are born, the first thing they give you is a ball - to play soccer. You live for it. You die for it."
He jumped up frequently throughout the game, running his hand nervously through his hair.
When Pele, the hero of Brazil's 1970 World Cup championship, appeared on the screen, Ribeiro and others yelled and bowed, their arms outstretched in worship.
Marty Montano, meanwhile, was feeling a bit outnumbered. Montano was one of just two Italians at the gathering. "The only way I get to stay is if Italy doesn't score any goals," he joked.
Three Brazilians work for him at his restaurant in Roanoke. "We've been going back and forth all week about who was going to win," he said.
He took a lot of fairly good-natured ribbing throughout the match. He heard a lot of oaths being sworn against Italy. But, he said, "if I was in New Jersey with my relatives, we'd be doing the same thing to Brazil. At least I feel at home."
As Italy closed in on Brazil's goal late in the overtime, Montano stood up. The kick was no good, and someone from the back yelled, "Sit down, Marty."
When Brazil's goal keeper stopped Italy's last chance to tie the score, the crowd in front of the TV became almost a single organism of interlocking hugs, with screaming people jumping up and down in unison. "Brazil, Brazil," they chanted.
In the back, Cristiane Franca was thinking about her mom and others back home. "I'm sure that Brazil is going crazy right now. Fireworks all over the place."
Nilton Ribeiro came over, sweating, panting and clutching the left side of his chest. "I don't have a heart any more," he said.
by CNB