XV de Piracicaba staff marks 18 years, celebrates with packed Barão | OneFootball

The thrilling title win by XV de Piracicaba in the 2025 Copa Paulista this Saturday filled Luiz with joy. An employee of the club for 18 years, he celebrated the victory alongside the fans in the packed Barão da Serra Negra stadium, with over 14,000 people, and spoke to Gazeta Esportiva about the emotion of seeing his team crowned champions.

Luiz Antônio Bueno Franzoni, 70 years old, jokes that he’s been a fan of XV since before he left his mother’s womb. He has lived in Piracicaba since birth and works as a security guard at the gates of Nhô Quim stadium.

“I’ve always [cheered for XV]. Even before I was born, I was already a fan. I’ve worked here for 18 years, and I’m very happy with this title,” Luiz told the reporter.

(Photo: André da Silva Costa/Gazeta Press)

Can they fight in Série D?

The security guard believes that XV de Piracicaba’s mission in the 2026 Brasileirão Série D will be tough. The team earned the chance to compete in the tournament next year, but Luiz doesn’t look to the future with much optimism.

“They can fight, but it’s going to be hard. There are other teams that are much better structured, with more money. In football, anything can happen, but it’s tough. Now we have to focus on A2,” he said, referring to the Second Division of the Campeonato Paulista, which will begin next season.

TV Gazeta fan

Luiz says he’s a regular viewer of TV Gazeta, which broadcast both legs of the 2025 Copa Paulista finals between XV de Piracicaba and Primavera, both on free-to-air TV and on YouTube.

“I always watch, I don’t miss a show. I watch Michelle [Gianella] a lot, Garraffa… I really like Chico Lang, he’s a die-hard Corinthians fan,” he joked.

Dramatic title

XV de Piracicaba’s title came in dramatic fashion. Moisés Egert’s team lost the first leg of the final in Campinas, but managed to turn things around by winning the return match 2-0, with a goal in the very last play.

The goal, scored by Almir Luan, made Barão da Serra Negra erupt with relief. During the match, although they celebrated and pushed the team forward at every moment, the Nhô Quim fans were tense. As the stadium announcer joked during the game, “with XV, it’s always harder.”

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This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇧🇷 here.