Everything Newark

Newark Star Ledger: Bearing the burden of a country’s lifelong wait. We were looking forward to posting up videos of Brazil or Portugal celebrating their World Cup win in the Ironbound, but, alas, it wasn’t meant to be. Brad Parks interviews local Portuguese after their crushing loss to France on Wednesday.

For the team’s many supporters in this heavily Portuguese enclave, it’s been the wait of a lifetime.

“I wasn’t born the last time this happened,” said Costa, as he watched the early minutes of Portugal’s struggle against France. “I talked to my father and he told me about crying last time. I may never live to see us get this far again. That’s the kind of moment this is.”

It’s difficult to explain what exactly it means to be a Portuguese soccer die-hard. The short version goes like this: Portugal never wins anything.

Newark Star Ledger: Emotional Side of the Game. Ironbounders were both elated and depressed over this weekend’s fútbol results. Portugal beat out England 3 – 1 in penalty kicks at the end of a long and intense game, which sent droves of Portuguese to the streets for celebration.

In a thrilling penalty kick shoot-out, Portugal bested England, 3-1, unleashing thousands of ecstatic Portuguese fans onto the Ironbound streets, their sheer enthusiasm forcing police to redirect traffic out of the area.

Cars draped in Portuguese flags idled on side streets, horns blowing and lights flashing. Men wearing flags as capes danced arm in arm through traffic.

“We’re going to be champions!” screamed Amilcar Heleno, a contractor from Springfield.

“We’re going to keep partying until tomorrow!” said Vieira.

Brazil, however, didn’t fare so well, losing to France 0 – 1 in a suprising upset.