10 Inch Telescope Too Heavy

Obdulio Varela - the man who challenged the Maracana


in history calcium are the leaders, courageous player who, with their charisma and extraordinary determination they managed to win challenges considered impossible. One of them is definitely Obdulio Varela, Captain ....

Muiños Obdulio Jacinto Varela was born in Montevideo, in Uruguay, il 20 Settembre 1917. Dopo una breve parentesi nella squadra locale del Deportivo Juventud, Obdulio lega la sua fama prima ai Wanderers, e poi Al Peñarol, la prima società di Montevideo. Qui si consacra come stella del calcio, e viene per la prima volta soprannominato “ El Jefe ” (Il capo). Con il Peñarol vince 6 campionati e viene....



riconosciuto all’unanimità come leader fuori e dentro lo spogliatoio. Con la nazionale il suo cammino inizia nel 1942, con la vittoria della Coppa America. 

Tecnicamente Obdulio Varela gioca nella posizione di centromediano, una sorta di mediano "taglia & cuci", che ha il compito di marcare il centravanti avversario così come di far ripartire l’azione. " El Jefe " è un giocatore con piedi abbastanza grezzi e tecnica mediocre, ma i suoi punti di forza sono da ricercarsi altrove: in campo è un autentico leone, un atleta incredibile che fa della straordinaria grinta e del sacrificio i suoi punti di forza. Varela, più di ogni altro, rappresenta la “ Garra ”, ovvero la grinta, la rabbia agonistica, che ha sempre contraddistinto players Uruguayans.

Uruguayan champion's career runs quiet, between high (many) and low (few), up to a warm evening in July 1950. It 's the night of the final World Cup, which this year takes place in Brazil. One of the two finalists is obviously the home team comes easily to the expectation that final trimming 13 goals in 2 games in the final stages. The Brazilians are obviously doomed to win, and the final against Uruguay seems to surprise a practice already resolved. The 200,000 already celebrating the Maracana, and wonder just how many goals will do the poor unfortunates who are faced with. On the streets the people dance, drink, and the Brazilian Football Federation has already prepared 11 limousine for the "victorious" finalists. The path of Uruguay is broken: a draw against Spain (6-1 defeat by Brazil) and a sluggish 3-2 victory against Sweden (underground networks, six, Brazil). Uruguay is a good team that has the heart of Captain Varela Schiaffino and brain of its strengths, but in front of the Brazilian super power, what is more at home, seems to have no hope.

Before the match the moods of the two clubs are poles apart: the Brazilians are already celebrating the rhythm of the samba, the Uruguayans are silent, with her eyes looking downward. All except one. Upon entry into the field looking frightened fellow Obdulio the stands packed with cheering crowds, but it is the Jefe in contact with their harsh tone screaming " never look at the forums! The game is played here! . The referee, Englishman George Reader, is preparing the traditional coin toss Varela when suddenly jumps at the dime just launched, and looking in his eyes the astonished referee, whispers "Mr arbitrator Brazilians also leave the comfort of choice. Because we will be world champions . His tone is hard but at the same time calm, these words are not fact. What we really believe, think the referee. Amen. The first 20 minutes the Brazilian attack with his head down: a real tidal flows in the Uruguayan midfield, but it is the national host to hit a pole on the counterattack. Throughout the first time the Uruguay miraculously manages to keep. Varela is a lion in the field, pounced on all the Brazilian players with fury, and directs the department with expertise. The first half ended goalless. Patience, we will do him 4 or 5 in the second half seem to think the fans.

pass just 60 seconds after the break and Brazil takes the lead. A quick exchange of the phenomenon and the exterior Zizinho FRIACO sends it over the network. 200000 I can finally rejoice. A superhuman cry of liberation, shakes the Maracana.

The decisive goal of Ghiggia.

Obdulio Varela do not lose heart, and within seconds the ball back in midfield personally looking into the eyes opponents. It seems made for Brazil, but, you know, miracles sometimes happen. At 21 'Varela over Brazilian midfielders with a good launch for the wing Ghiggia, who after CSD, is the onrushing Schiaffino beating in the network. 1-1. Suddenly the roar turns into silence. The 11 players Uruguayans seem animated by a spirit warrior fighting for every ball and try in every way to stop the Brazilians, with good and bad. A few minutes after the unthinkable happens: You Ghiggia after progression on the band to electrocute Barbosa. 2-1. The last 10 minutes as Brazil attempts a last desperate assault, but it is too late. Uruguay is world champion. The eyes in disbelief disconsolate and the Brazilian supporters are the eyes of a whole country. Hundreds of people commit suicide that night, then known as " Maracanazo " the disaster of the Maracana. A whole country is crying and despair, while players new champions celebrate in disbelief. Some of them are even victims of blind rage Brazilian (Ghiggia in particular was beaten and did not play for a year).

Varela That same night, on the contrary of his comrades, he decides courage not to just leave Brazil, but is confused among the many Brazilians who decide to vent their bitterness and anger in the city's bars. Obdulio drinks and cries with them for a moment he can understand their pain. Years later he died in poverty. Shortly before he died that night said: "That day it was written that we were to win, not temvano neither God nor the devil." We can blame him?