Full name Vitória Sport Clube Chairman Júlio Mendes Manager Pedro Martins | Ground Capacity 30,165 2015–16 10th President Júlio Mendes Founded 1922 | |
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Nickname(s) Os Vimaranenses (The ones from GuimarãesOs Conquistadores (The Conquerors) Profiles | ||
Vitória Sport Clube, commonly known as Vitória de Guimarães, are a Portuguese professional football club based in Guimarães that competes in the Primeira Liga, the top-flight of football in Portugal.
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As a top contender to the title of fourth best supported club in Portugal, it has tried to match the dominance of the so-called "Big Three" (Benfica, Porto and Sporting CP), in the Primeira Liga, where it has finished third on four occasions, most recently in 2007–08.
They have won one Taça de Portugal and one Supertaça Cândido de Oliveira.
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 toiling in the Braga FA leagues, the Vimaranenses were first promoted to the Primeira Liga in 1941, and two seasons later battled the Sadinos from Setúbal for the first time in the League. Surprise package Guimarães, against all odds, reached their first Taça de Portugal final in their debut season, but lost to Belenenses 2–0.
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 Monchengladbach.
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. Machado was accused on charges of embezzlement. Despite this, in 2004–05, the club secured an impressive 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, 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.
In their first season back in the top-flight, they continued their winning form, achieving an impressive third-place finish in 2007–08, guaranteeing them a place in the third qualifying round of the 2008–09 UEFA Champions League. There they fell to Swiss side Basel due to a controversial goal being disallowed by the referee in the last minutes of the second leg match; Vitória dropped into the 2008–09 UEFA Cup first round as a result of their elimination. There they played Portsmouth of the Premier League over two legs, though Portsmouth progressed after winning 4–2 on aggregate.
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.
Stadium
They play in the Estádio D. Afonso Henriques, which has a capacity of 30,165.
After Os Três Grandes , Vitória is the club which attracts most supporters to the stadium, 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.
Support and rivalry
Vitória play the derby of Minho Province against neighbours Braga. This derby is considered one of Portugal's most intense fixtures, as both clubs battle each year to reach a European competition. The derby also intensified during the run-up to the Euro 2004 tournament hosted by Portugal, as both clubs had new stadia built as tournament venues.
Honours
The club's 70 seasons in the top level of Portuguese football make them the club with the joint-fourth longest time there, after Porto, Sporting CP, and Benfica (all with 81); and Belenenses with 74.
Current squad
As of 16 February 2017.Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
Out on loan
Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
Basketball
Vitória S.C. men's basketball team plays in the LPB.
Volleyball
Vitória Sport Clube has a volleyball team which plays in the Portuguese Volleyball League A1.