Vitória S.C. Explained

Clubname:Vitória de Guimarães
Fullname:Vitória Sport Clube
Nickname:Os Conquistadores (The Conquerors)[1] Os Vimaranenses (The ones from Guimarães)
Os Branquinhos (The little whites)
Ground:Estádio D. Afonso Henriques
Capacity:30 029[2]
Owner:Vitória Sport Clube (majority)
V Sports (Nassef Sawiris & Wes Edens)
Chairman:António Miguel Cardoso
Manager:Rui Borges
League:Primeira Liga
Season:2023–24
Position:Primeira Liga, 5th of 18
Website:http://www.vitoriasc.pt/
Current:2024–25 Vitória S.C. season
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Vitória Sport Clube, popularly known as Vitória de Guimarães, is a Portuguese professional football club based in Guimarães that competes in the Primeira Liga, the top-flight of football in Portugal.

Vitória de Guimarães have finished third in the Primeira Liga on four occasions, most recently in 2007/08. They have won one Taça de Portugal (2012/13) and one Supertaça Cândido de Oliveira (1988), while also being runners-up of the former on six occasions.

The club have competed regularly in European competitions, where their best finish was the quarter-finals of the 1986/87 UEFA Cup.

History

Vitória was formed in 1922. Its name seems to be a tribute to Vitória de Setúbal, which at the time was a top contender for the Campeonato de Portugal, though these days Guimarães supporters downplay the connection. After seasons of hard work, which culminated in winning several titles in Braga's AF league, the Conquistadores were promoted to the Primeira Liga in 1941, and two seasons later battled the Sadinos from Setúbal for the first time in the League. Against all odds, reached their first Taça de Portugal final in their debut season, but lost to Belenenses 2–0.[3]

Vitória's furthest progress in a European tournament was in the 1986–87 UEFA Cup, in which they were defeated 5–2 on aggregate in the quarter-finals by West German club Borussia Mönchengladbach.[4]

In the early 2000s, Vitória struggled in some years to retain its status in the top Portuguese division, then named the Superliga. Those years were marked by the decline of the leadership of Pimenta Machado, former club president, who was accused on charges of embezzlement. In February 2008 he was sentenced to four years and three months of prison on a suspended sentence,[5] though a year later he was cleared of this charge and instead ordered to pay a €4,000 fine for falsifying a document.[6]

Despite this, in 2004–05, the club secured a fifth-place finish in the league and qualified for European competition via the UEFA Cup. The next season (2005–06), however, they were relegated to the Segunda Liga (where they last played in 1958) after finishing 17th in the Superliga,[7] despite reaching the Taça de Portugal semi-final, having beaten Benfica in the quarter-finals. The club also failed to progress from their UEFA Cup group, as eventual winners Sevilla, Premier League outfit Bolton Wanderers and Russian team Zenit Saint Petersburg progressed.

Vitória bounced back immediately to the top-flight as runners-up to Leixões S.C. under the management of Manuel Cajuda.[8] A joint-best third-place finish in 2007–08, guaranteeing them a place in the third qualifying round of the 2008–09 UEFA Champions League, their first such campaign. There they fell to Swiss side FC Basel 2–1 on aggregate, with a potential away goal winner by Roberto Calmon Félix being ruled out late on for offside, despite being a bad call from the referee.[9] Vitória dropped into the 2008–09 UEFA Cup first round as a result of their elimination, and lost 4–2 on aggregate after extra time to England's Portsmouth.[10]

Led by Rui Vitória in 2012–13, Vitória found themselves in financial problems, which caused them to lose many experienced players and bet on young players. However, they would go on to win their first Taça de Portugal title after previously losing five finals. Vitória beat rivals Braga en route to the final, where they recovered from 1–0 down against Benfica to win 2–1.[11]

In 2017, Vitória made the cup final again, losing 2–1 to double winners S.L. Benfica.[12] That September, the team left their mark in UEFA competitions, being the first team to start a game without a European player on the field.[13] In 2020–21, the club went through four managers – Tiago, João Henriques, Bino and Moreno – before finishing seventh, missing Europe by one place.[14]

In February 2023, Vitória announced an agreement to sell 46% of the club's shares in a deal worth €5m to football club holding company V Sports, led by billionaires Nassef Sawiris and Wes Edens: owners of Premier League club Aston Villa. V Sports would additionally offer a credit line of up to €20m, and invest an additional €2m into sporting infrastructure.[15] The agreement was approved at a vote of Vitória's members on 4 March 2023: approximately 88% voted in favour of the deal.[16] However, due to UEFA rules, VSports participation had to be reduced to 29%. https://maisfutebol.iol.pt/vitoria-guimaraes/aston-villa/v-sports-reduz-participacao-na-sad-do-v-guimaraes-devido-as-regras-da-uefa

Sports venues

D. Afonso Henriques Stadium

They play in the Estádio D. Afonso Henriques, which has a capacity of just over 30,029. After Os Três Grandes, Vitória is the club which attracts most supporters to the stadium,[17] with average attendances of 20,000 per game. Vitória usually has a higher average than all the other clubs, even when the club played in the Second Division/League.

Other Infrastructures

Vitória SC Sports Complex

It was opened in 1997 under the name "Complexo Desportivo Dr. Alberto Pimenta Machado", when the club had Dr. Alberto Pimenta Machado himself as president. The idea came up when, at the time, the president visited Milanello, AC Milan's sports complex.

The Sports Complex hosts the club's administrative services, the training of the senior football team and the training and games of the club's youth teams. It includes 3 natural grass fields, 3 synthetic fields (one of them for Football 7), a gym, two dozen changing rooms, a mini stadium and a sports hall, where the club's teams train and play.[18]

Mini stadium

Occupying Field 5 of the Victorian Academy and with capacity for 2,500 spectators, the home of the B team and the under-19s will appear. It will also have a presidential tribune, three bars, six changing rooms and a technical support area.

Vimaranense Unity Pavilion

Inserted in the Sports Complex, the Pavilion, opened in 1997 with capacity for 2,500 spectators, is the home of Vitória SC sports, where it hosts around 600 athletes weekly between training and competitions.

Guimarães Sports City

The Sports City is made up of a set of equipment existing in the municipality of Guimarães intended for sports and allows the reception of major events of national and international dimensions. These facilities, such as the swimming pool complex and the athletics track, are frequently used by athletes and teams from Vitória SC's training and modalities.

Honours

National Competitions
CompetitionTitlesSeasonsRunners-up
Taça de Portugal12012/131941/42, 1962/63, 1975/76,1987/88, 2010/11, 2016/17
Supertaça Cândido de Oliveira119882011, 2013, 2017
Total Trophies22 Nationals9 Runner-up

League and Cup history

Updated: November 2023.[19] The club's 79 seasons (as in 2023) in the top level of Portuguese football make them the club with the joint-fourth longest time there, after Benfica, Porto, and Sporting CP (all with 90).[20]

European matches

SeasonCompetitionRoundOpponentHomeAwayAggregate
1969–70Inter-Cities Fairs CupFirst round Baník Ostrava1–01–12–1
Second round Southampton3–31–54–8
1970–71Inter-Cities Fairs CupFirst round Angoulême3–01–34–3
Second round Hibernian2–10–22–3
1973–74Intertoto CupGroup 2 Djurgården5–01–32nd place
Neuchâtel Xamax5–21–0
Hamburger SV3–10–2
1975–76Intertoto CupGroup 7 Oostende4–10–22nd place
Holbæk B&I4–02–1
Inter Bratislava1–00–4
1983–84UEFA CupFirst round Aston Villa1–00–51–5
1986–87UEFA CupFirst round Sparta Prague2–11–13–2
Second round Atlético Madrid2–00–12–1
Third round Groningen3–00–13–1
Quarter-finals Borussia Mönchengladbach2–20–32–5
1987–88UEFA CupFirst round Tatabánya1–01–12–1
Second round Beveren1–00–1 1–1
Third round TJ Vitkovice2–00–2 2–2
1988–89European Cup Winners' CupFirst round Roda1–00–21–2
1990–91UEFA CupFirst round Fenerbahçe2–30–32–6
1992–93UEFA CupFirst round Real Sociedad3–00–23–2
Second round Ajax0–31–21–5
1995–96UEFA CupFirst round Standard Liège3–10–03–1
Second round Barcelona0–40–30–7
1996–97UEFA CupFirst round Parma2–01–23–2
Second round Anderlecht1–10–01–1 (a)
1997–98UEFA CupFirst round Lazio0–41–21–6
1998–99UEFA CupFirst round Celtic1–21–22–4
2005–06UEFA CupFirst round Wisła Kraków3–01–04–0
Group H Zenit Saint Petersburg1–25th place
Bolton Wanderers1–1
Sevilla1–3
Beşiktaş1–3
2008–09UEFA Champions LeagueThird qualifying round Basel0–01–21–2
2008–09UEFA CupFirst round Portsmouth2–20–22–4
2011–12UEFA Europa LeagueThird qualifying round Midtjylland2–10–02–1
Play-off round Atlético Madrid0–40–20–6
2013–14UEFA Europa LeagueGroup I Lyon1–21–13rd place
Real Betis0–10–1
Rijeka4–00–0
2015–16UEFA Europa LeagueThird qualifying round Altach1–41–22–6
2017–18UEFA Europa LeagueGroup I RB Salzburg1–10–3 4th place
Marseille1–01–2
Konyaspor1–11–2
2019–20UEFA Europa LeagueSecond qualifying round Jeunesse Esch4–01–0 5–0
Third qualifying round FK Ventspils6–03–09–0
Play-off round FCSB1–00–01–0
Group F Arsenal1–12–34th place
Eintracht Frankfurt0–13–2
Standard Liège1–10–2
2022–23UEFA Europa Conference LeagueSecond qualifying round Puskás Akadémia3–00–03–0
Third qualifying round Hajduk Split1–01–32–3
2023–24UEFA Europa Conference LeagueSecond qualifying round Celje0–1 4–34–4
2024–25UEFA Conference LeagueSecond qualifying round Floriana1–04–05–0
Third qualifying round Zürich2–03–05–0
Play-off round Zrinjski Mostar

Players

Out on loan

Club staff

PositionStaff
President António Miguel Cardoso
Technical Director Carlos Campos
Sporting Director Rogério Matias
Director of Football Flávio Meireles
Manager Álvaro Pacheco
Assistant ManagerTBA
First-Team CoachTBA
Goalkeeper Coach Douglas Jesus
Head of Scouting TBA
Physiotherapist Pedro Figueiredo
Frederico Neto
Team Manager Rui Carvalho

Basketball

See main article: Vitória S.C. (basketball).

Vitória S.C. men's basketball team plays in the LPB.

Volleyball

See main article: Vitória S.C. (volleyball). Vitória Sport Clube has a volleyball team which plays in the Portuguese Volleyball League A1.

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Sp. Braga e Vitória de Guimarães goleiam no encerramento da Liga Portuguesa. Inês. Geraldo. Rádio e Televisão de Portugal. 23 May 2015. 2 February 2016. 2 February 2016. https://web.archive.org/web/20160202143709/http://www.rtp.pt/noticias/vitoria-de-guimaraes/sp-braga-e-vitoria-de-guimaraes-goleiam-no-encerramento-da-liga-portuguesa_d831153. live.
  2. Web site: Património. vitoriasc.pt. Vitória Sport Clube. 31 August 2017. 24 July 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190724234413/http://www.vitoriasc.pt/pt/index/stadium/. dead.
  3. Web site: Guimarães . José Eduardo . 2020-09-18 . Vitória-Belenenses de nível clássico . 2023-11-12 . Guimarães, agora! . pt-PT.
  4. Web site: European Competitions 1986-87. Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation. James M.. Ross. 4 June 2015. 2 February 2023. 9 March 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20230309091201/https://www.rsssf.org/ec/ec198687.html. live.
  5. News: Pimenta Machado condenado a quatro anos e três meses de prisão com pena suspensa . 30 July 2020 . Público . 15 February 2008 . pt . 16 June 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210616120500/https://www.publico.pt/2008/02/15/sociedade/noticia/pimenta-machado-condenado-a-quatro-anos-e-tres-meses-de-prisao-com-pena-suspensa-1319718 . live .
  6. News: Mandim . David . Tribunal da Relação absolve Pimenta Machado de peculato . Court of Appeal clears Pimenta Machado of embezzlement . 30 July 2020 . Diário de Notícias . 26 February 2009 . pt . 18 June 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210618030231/https://www.dn.pt/arquivo/2009/tribunal-da-relacao-absolve-pimenta-machado-de-peculato-1173320.html . live .
  7. News: Belenenses, Guimarães e Rio Ave descem à Liga de Honra . Belenenses, Guimarães and Rio Ave go down to Liga de Honra . 30 July 2020 . Público . 7 May 2008 . pt . 16 June 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210616115543/https://www.publico.pt/2006/05/07/desporto/noticia/belenenses-guimaraes-e-rio-ave-descem-a-liga-de-honra-1256367 . live .
  8. News: Com um a mais, Vitória de Guimarães vence apertado no Português . By a single goal, Vitória de Guimarães win tight game in Portuguese league . 30 July 2020 . UOL . 17 September 2007 . pt . 19 June 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210619120203/https://www.uol.com.br/esporte/futebol/ultimas/2007/09/17/ult59u130914.jhtm . live .
  9. News: Basel qualify for Champions League group stage . 30 July 2020 . Swiss Info . 28 August 2008.
  10. News: Lyon . Sam . Guimaraes 2-2 Portsmouth (2-4) . 30 July 2020 . BBC Sport . 2 October 2008 . 3 October 2008 . https://web.archive.org/web/20081003113301/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/europe/7639445.stm . live .
  11. News: Ruela . João . Vit. Guimarães vence Taça de Portugal pela 1.ª vez . Vit. Guimarães win Taça de Portugal for the 1st time . 30 July 2020 . Diário de Notícias . 26 May 2008 . pt . 18 June 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210618020256/https://www.dn.pt/desporto/futebol-nacional/vit-guimaraes-vence-taca-de-portugal-pela-1-vez-3240385.html . live .
  12. News: Figueiredo . Catarina . Correia Rocha . Catarina . Querido . Rodrigo . Benfica vence Taça de Portugal e conquista a 11.ª dobradinha . 30 July 2020 . Correio da Manhã . 28 May 2017 . pt . 19 October 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20181019180125/http://www.cmjornal.pt/desporto/futebol/detalhe/final-da-taca-invade-jamor . live .
  13. Web site: Vitória fica na história com 'onze' sem europeus. Vitória make history with 'eleven' without Europeans. Record. 15 September 2017. pt. 29 September 2017. 29 September 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170929183327/http://www.record.pt/internacional/competicoes-de-clubes/liga-europa/detalhe/vitoria-fica-na-historia-com-onze-sem-europeus.html. live.
  14. News: Teles . Gonçalo . Benfica vence em Guimarães com dois golos de Seferovic. Vitória falha Europa . Benfica win in Guimarães with two goals from Seferovic. Vitória miss Europe . 20 May 2021 . . 19 May 2021 . Portuguese . 19 May 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210519190511/https://www.tsf.pt/desporto/vitoria-de-guimaraes-benfica-relato-tsf-direto-i-liga-13738696.html . live .
  15. Web site: 2023-02-14 . Parceria da V Sports com o Vitória Sport Clube - Vitória Sport Clube . 2023-03-02 . en-GB . 2023-03-02 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230302160201/https://vitoriasc.pt/en/2023/02/14/parceria-da-v-sports-com-o-vitoria-sport-clube/ . live .
  16. Web site: Geral . Acompanhe em directo a Assembleia Geral do Vitória . 2023-03-04 . GUIMARAESDIGITAL.COM . pt-pt . 2023-03-04 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230304003839/https://www.guimaraesdigital.pt/index.php/informacao/desporto/79371-acompanhe-em-directo-a-assembleia-geral-do-vitoria . live .
  17. Web site: Liga Portugal . 2023-11-12 . www.ligaportugal.pt.
  18. Web site: 2023-12-01 . 2021-07-06 . pt-PT . Património - Vitória Sport Clube .
  19. Web site: Vitória Sport Clube :: Estatísticas :: Títulos :: Palmarés :: História :: Golos :: Próximos Jogos :: Resultados :: Notícias :: Videos :: Fotos :: Plantel :: Zerozero.pt. 2021-05-27. 2016-08-01. https://web.archive.org/web/20160801155108/http://www.zerozero.pt/team_season.php?id=18. live.
  20. Web site: Liga Portuguesa :: Participantes :: zerozero.pt . 2023-11-12 . www.zerozero.pt . pt.