afootballreport:

Lisbon in flames / A Chama Imensa

This is a new one for us. A few nights ago, a leader of Benfica’s ultras dropped us an email. The Benfica Ultras are these guys, as a reminder. Benfica’s road to Amsterdam, the home of this year’s Europa League Final, continues in Turkey tonight against Fenerbahce, home of sone of the most passionate and devoted fans in the world.

Here’s part of what was sent our way: “Dear AFR, as you probably know, this can be a dream season for all Benfica fans. Benfica is much more than a club, it’s a religion and being an “Benfiquista” it’s a feeling that can’t be explained.

Being a “Benfiquista” is to have a huge flame in your soul. Benfica is that and much more and that is why it is said “Benfiquistas” have inside them the “Huge Flame” - Chama Imensa (in Portuguese). That brings me to the reason why i’m writing you this message. That is the name an unofficial motivation video fully designed, filmed and edited by members and supporters of Sport Lisboa e Benfica. 

It was filmed anonymously throughout Lisbon.”

Benfica are in flying form this year; they’re unbeaten on a domestic level, with the 12th man always being behind Jorge Jesus’ side. Tonight they will be outnumbered and outsung, but despite the minority, we’ll see if Benfica that flame will stay lit in one of Europe’s most intimidating environments. Eles acreditam. [Posted by Eric and Dom]

A Tottenham Hotspur fan has been seriously injured and several others hurt after being attacked by Ultras in Rome. The trouble flared ahead of Thursday night’s Europa League game against Lazio in the Italian capital.

The supporters were drinking in the Drunken Ship pub in the historic Campo de Fiori at 1am on Thursday morning when up to 50 attackers – wearing motorcycle helmets and brandishing weapons including knuckle-dusters, broken bottles, and baseball bats – smashed their way in.

Sources named four of the injured as Ashley Mills, Dave Lesley, Stephen Tierney and Christopher Allen. Mr Mills is said to have been stabbed and was in the city’s San Camillo Hospital. Two tourists are also thought to have been hurt; police said a Californian and a Bangladeshi were injured.

The bar’s co-owner Gabriele Cianella added: “There were Tottenham supporters here to celebrate, they were drinking and singing but quietly, so the situation seemed to be under control, but then these people came aggressively and they got inside and they were looking for these English guys, trying to catch them and they started to throw the chairs and tables.

“It is horrible. If you throw stones and knuckle dusters I think you want to hurt someone. There was a lot of blood inside on the floor. Now we also have some blood on the windows. They came here to hurt someone.”

A Tottenham statement said: “We understand from local police that nine of our supporters suffered injuries last night following an incident in the city centre. Three of these supporters were taken to hospital for further treatment. We continue to seek further information and are liaising with both Italian and UK police on this matter.”

The club has reposted travel advice to fans attending Thursday evening’s game, while a spokesman for the Foreign and Commonwealth Office said security would be increased.

I also read about some alleged anti-Semetic language used by the attackers.

All in all, I hope those guys will be okay.

The London Evening Standard spoke to Ashley Mills, from his hospital bed, about the attack.