"While some were fortunate enough to be among the 52,000 at St. James' Park on a triumphant night of Champions League football, others watched at home and in pubs and similar establishments as the game was beamed across the globe. 'Casa Benfica', a Portuguese bar and restaurant in London's Stockwell area, then, is perhaps the last place you'd find a Newcastle fan for that particular fixture. FourFourTwo went along to find out what it's like to watch a big game behind enemy lines."
"While Newcastle had won one and lost one of their opening two Champions League matches this season, Benfica's record was played two, lost two. With the Portuguese side's ignominious 3-2 home defeat against European minnows Qarabag on matchday one, which only occurred after Benfica had taken a two-goal lead, in addition to a 1-0 loss against Chelsea on matchday two, a Newcastle side sitting 14th in the Premier League represented the chance to finally get their Champions League campaign underway."
"You may like Benfica merchandise as far as the eye can see at this spot in 'Little Portugal' (Image credit: Future) Little Portugal, as the area colloquially known, in South London is the capital's largest Portuguese-speaking community home to various cafes, bars, and food shops. Naturally, one of Portugal's biggest clubs has a presence in the area and FFT chose the aptly-named Casa Benfica to take in the evening's Champions League action."
Some were among 52,000 at St. James' Park while others watched at home, in pubs, and bars as the Champions League match was beamed globally. Casa Benfica is a Portuguese bar and restaurant in Stockwell, South London's Little Portugal, with Benfica merchandise visible throughout. Benfica lost both opening Champions League games, including a 3-2 home defeat to Qarabag after leading and a 1-0 loss to Chelsea. Newcastle had one win and one loss and sat 14th in the Premier League, entering the match as favourites with strong recent home form under Eddie Howe. Casa Benfica served as a location to watch the evening's action; visitors arrived 15 minutes before kick-off and were seated on the mezzanine.
Read at www.fourfourtwo.com
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