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Nautico (Clube Náutico Capibaribe)
Náutico play out of Recife, north-eastern Brazil; in the the State of Pernambuco.
Nautico have an intense rivalry with the other Recife based Serie A team; Sport. This rivalry is very complex and is based on sociological and historical factors and when they do meet, there is no-quarter given!
Like some other clubs in Brazil, Nautico was actually founded as a rowing club, whereby races would take place along the river Capibaribe. From this initial regatta sprung the football club, which was initiated by a group of English workers who used to have a regular Sunday run-out, the football team became part of the mainstream Clube Capibaribe.
In them days, football in Brazil was a rich kids pastime, and most of the oldest football teams in Brazil were very much elitist – Nautico was no exception and were labeled; ¨the club of the rich¨, moreover, they also had a policy of not allowing black players in the team, and in common with other clubs at the time, ¨imported¨ some players from Europe, which very much compounded the elitist label, indeed, to a degree, they bear this cross today, although nowadays, black players are of course admitted.
One other thing worth a mention is Sport was formed by a breakaway section of the Nautico set-up, this facilitated the antagonistic rivalry which remains today - and from this juncture, Nautico are still seen in some quarters as elitist - and it is Sport (and Serie C team, Santa Cruz) who enjoy the support of the Recife masses.
Nautico’s nickname is Timbu, which is an Opossum and they play out of Aflitos Stadium in the Recife district of the same name. The ground is very small and other Brazilian clubs don’t like playing there as it facilitates an intimidating and extremely partisan atmosphere.
For the record, Nautico finished 15th of 20 in Serie A 2007 and have made a great start to the 2008 campaign. They however, have never won a Serie A Championship, but have triumphed as Second Division Champions and bagged 21 State Championships to boot.
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