Living not at home

Sporting Club de Portugal is based in Lisbon. In May 2021 we were living in a town near the Serra do Açor, more than three hours drive from Lisbon. We weren't aware of how much support there was for Sporting in the town so we were surprised by celebrations when they won the Campeão Nacional:  English text Tuesday night: banging, cheering and car horns from the small square close by, then from Avenida dos Bombeiros, then from the square again. A joyful row that carries on for hours.  It’s triggered by the football, we can tell that from the strenuous style of singing. Which team? We didn’t know, but we do now: Spooorting! Campeões! Someone less immersed in the celebration gives us the context: nineteen years since Sporting won the Liga .   This exuberant public joy surprises us. It goes on so long, at such a pitch. It builds and blows and froths, like the fountain, which someone, carried along by the mood, has dosed with washing up liquid. Long after we’re in bed som...