Chapecoense’s Emotional Victory

This past weekend Chapecoense (Associação Chapecoense de Futebol) returned to the pitch for the first time since the plane crash on November 28, 2016 which claimed the lives of 43 members of the club (19 players and 24 club members). A total of 71 people died in the crash.

A charity match between Chape and the Brazilian champions Palmeiras, the event also marked the emotional and inspirational presentation of the Cope Sudamericana trophy. The club had been on their way to play the Copa final in Colombia when the crash occurred. Following the accident, Club Atlético Naciona (their opponent in the final) requested the final be cancelled and Chapecoense be awarded the championship.

Accepting the Copa trophy were the six remaining members of the ACF squad, including the three who survived the crash: goalkeeper Jackson Follmann, defender Neto and winger Alan Ruschel. Family members of those lost were awarded the individual medals.

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I'll weep every time I think of this, baby Joao with his father's Copa Sudamericana medal. Marcelo Augusto died in the #chapecoense plane crash. 💔 #VamosChape #forçachape

A post shared by Don Riddell (@donriddell) on Jan 21, 2017 at 11:13am PST

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Chapecoense's stadium was festooned with origami, sent in from all over the world. They were given out to the fans and placed in the press room and players' locker rooms. Inside, a message like 'love' or 'happiness'; mine said 'recomeçar' – new beginning. #chapecoense #VamosChape #forçachape

A post shared by Don Riddell (@donriddell) on Jan 21, 2017 at 5:12pm PST

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Jandir Bordignon was the VP of marketing at #chapecoense, but also one of their biggest fans. His family is mourning his loss but are comforted by the fact that he was doing a job that he loved. He was always positive, happy and smiling, his spirit lives on in them. Really nice people. #VamosChape 😊⚽️💚

A post shared by Don Riddell (@donriddell) on Jan 21, 2017 at 7:36am PST

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The 71st minute … the game is stopped to remember the 71 victims of the #Chapecoense plane crash. 💔 #VamosChape #forçachape

A post shared by Don Riddell (@donriddell) on Jan 21, 2017 at 4:58pm PST

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Tudo é possível àquele que crê no nome do Senhor 🙏🏻💚✨🙏🏻💚✨

A post shared by Andressa Perkovski Follmann (@andressaperkovski) on Jan 21, 2017 at 3:06pm PST

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Today we caught up with Amanda Machado, whose fiancée Dener died in the #chapecoense plane crash. They had always planned for her to start-up a small business selling chocolate. Amanda has pressed on with the plans, now Dener and his number 6 have been immortalized in the logo. #vamoschape

A post shared by Don Riddell (@donriddell) on Jan 20, 2017 at 11:50am PST

https://www.instagram.com/p/BPmzk_9Ajkr/?taken-at=934023130

The club posted this message at the start of the match:

COMEÇOU!! Bola rolando na Arena Condá!
Chapecoense x Palmeiras
Uma nova Chape: mais unida, confiante e muito mais forte!#VamosChape pic.twitter.com/coWaxFxLIh

— Chapecoense (@ChapecoenseReal) January 21, 2017

“STARTED!! Ball rolling in the Arena Condá!
Chapecoense x Palmeiras a new Plop: more United, confident and stronger.”

Vamos, Vamos Chape!

-hopechaser