TBT #15 Lion memories: Bira Lopes, one of Avaí’s great midfielders | OneFootball

Every Thursday, Avaí Futebol Clube celebrates a former athlete who helped shape the club’s hundred-year history. We remember stars who brought us so much joy wearing the blue and white colors.

In the 15th edition, we will look back at BIRA LOPES, one of the great midfielders in Avaí’s history.

Bira Lopes, a midfielder, was a classic player who organized the team and always played forward.

Photo: Bira Lopes Archive

Ubirajara Lopes Soares, better known as Bira Lopes, was born on June 22, 1951, in Uruguaiana, Rio Grande do Sul. He played 188 matches for the Leão from 1979 to 1984. He scored 22 goals. He is the 34th player with the most appearances for Avaí in the club’s hundred-year history, according to data published in the book AVAÍ F.C. 100 years of stories 1923–2023, by Dois Por Quatro publishing house, written by Adalberto Jorge Klüser, Felipe Matos, and Spyros Apóstolo Diamantaras. Bira Lopes began his career at Só Viana-RS at the age of 17, in 1969. He stood out and was transferred to Grêmio, where he stayed for three seasons. He had a spell at Colorado-PR (now Paraná Clube), then returned to Grêmio-RS, from where he was loaned out again, this time to Athletico-PR, where he remained from 1973 to 1978. He arrived at Avaí in 1979. His first official match wearing the Leão da Ilha shirt came in Avaí’s debut in the 1979 Brazilian Championship. It was a 1-1 draw against Goiânia at Serra Dourada Stadium on September 22, 1979. Avaí’s goal in that match was scored by Zé Paulo. At Avaí, he played great matches alongside Vargas, Baianinho, Silva, and Zé Carlos.

At the beloved Adolfo Konder stadium, where the Beira Mar Shopping mall now stands, in downtown Florianópolis.

Standing: Marinho, Zé Carlos, Rosa Lopes, Toni Gato, Marcos, and Silva.

Crouching: Baianinho, Zezé, Bira Lopes, Osmari, and Caldeira.

Photo: Valmir Rodrigues Archive

Avaí 1981. Standing: Marinho, Tião, Zé Carlos, Djalma, Luiz Henrique, Silva.

Crouching: Baianinho, Bira Lopes, Vargas, Caco, Alves. Coach: Sérgio Lopes, “Tape Measure.”

In 1983, he won the Governor Esperidião Avaí Cup.

Standing: Assis, Gilson, Careca, Silva, Gilberto, and Tião.

Crouching: Hélio (Masseur), Amarildo, Bira Lopes, Bizú, Caco, and Passos.

Photo: Bira Lopes Archive

Bira Lopes is remembered for honoring the shirt he wore, always playing with grit. He dribbled like few others, commanded the midfield, and made the team play.

After retiring, he went on to work at Lagoa Iate Clube (LIC) as sports coordinator.

INAUGURATION OF RESSACADA

Photo: Polidoro Júnior Archive

Bira Lopes took part in the inauguration of Dr. Aderbal Ramos da Silva Stadium (Ressacada) on November 15, 1983.

Avaí lined up with Gilson (Borba), Assis, Gildo (Caco), Gilberto, and Tião; Careca, Bira Lopes, and Ormarzinho (Zé Carlos); Amarildo, Bizu (Décio), and Passos (Nelsinho), coached by Ladinho.

Vasco played with Roberto; Adevaldo, Chagas, Nenê, and Roberto Teixeira; Serginho, Oliveira (Geovani), and Vilson Tadei; Ernani (Dudu), Marcelo, and Paulo Egídio (Júlio César), managed by Otto Glória.

The referee for the inaugural match at Ressacada was Celso Bozzano, assisted by Dalmo Bozzano and Allan Giovani.

The attendance on November 15, 1983, was 23,124 fans.

Goals: Vilson Tadei (Vasco 5' 1st half), Vilson Tadei (Vasco 11' 1st half), Marcelo (Vasco 18' 1st half), Amarildo (Avaí 28' 1st half), Marcelo (Vasco 38' 2nd half), Dudu (Vasco 39' 2nd half), and Marcelo (Vasco 41' 2nd half).

Photo: Polidoro Júnior Archive

On March 12, 2015, journalist Polidoro Júnior published an exclusive interview with star Bira Lopes on his website. Watch it in full below:

On June 22, 2021, Memória Avaiana posted a video on its social media featuring some moments of Bira Lopes at Avaí. Check it out below:

OTHER PHOTOS OF BIRA LOPES AT AVAÍ

Bira Lopes (L) and Osmari

Photo: Polidoro Júnior Archive

Bira Lopes with some trophies – Photo: Polidoro Júnior Archive

Bira Lopes

Photo: Polidoro Júnior Archive

RESEARCH SOURCES  –– KLÜSER, Adalberto; MATOS, Felipe; and DIAMANTARAS, Spyros. The Team of Grit – Almanac of 90 years of Avaí Futebol Clube, 1923-2013.     –– KLÜSER, Adalberto; MATOS, Felipe; and DIAMANTARAS, Spyros. AVAÍ F.C. 100 years of stories 1923 – 2023     – Alceu Atherino photo archive / Avaí F.C. – Avaí Play channel on YouTube; – Memória Avaiana website;  – Official Avaí F.C. website;  – Polidoro Júnior website; – ND Mais website;

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