Madeira News Blog

This photo is from Tobi’s website HERE. Thank you.

From Paul :

Portuguese manager following in Mourinho’s footsteps? the BBC reports:

As Jose Mourinho looks to make history with Inter Milan in the Champions League, another Portuguese manager is bidding to follow his route to success.

Pedro Sousa is serving an apprenticeship as a coach at Beira-Mar, winners of the Portuguese Second Division.

image caption : Stadium of SC Beira-Mar at Aveiro

But this week the young Portuguese boss is in Scotland participating in the Uefa "A" License introductory course at Largs in Ayrshire.

Mourinho’s success has an effect on other people in Portugal not necessarily just in the football industry

Sousa insists Mourinho’s success has an effect on other people in Portugal not necessarily just in the football industry. "Mourinho does more than that," insists Sousa.

"He influences people to be better in their work. To be more successful, to win more and aim for higher goals rather than standard goals."     link to full article:

Portuguese football coach Jose Mourinho writes his name into the history books. the BBC reports: "Jose Mourinho writes his name into the history books as Diego Milito inspired Inter Milan to Champions League glory against Bayern Munich at the Bernabeu
Milito set Inter on their way against the run of play with a clipped finish.

And he wrapped up a win built on the foundations of a solid defence with a solo effort that saw Inter become the first Italian side to win the Treble.

image Caption : Diego Milito

It means Mourinho, who won the cup with Porto in 2004, becomes the third man in history to win it with two clubs.

He joins Ernst Happel and Ottmar Hitzfeld in earning that remarkable accolade – at the age of only 47 – and, in doing so, ends a wait of more than 45 years for the Nerazzurri to regain Europe’s top prize.

That he did so by overcoming his mentor Louis van Gaal, with whom he worked at Barcelona in the 1990s, in the process only served to complete the ultimate season of personal vindication for the Portuguese.

image caption : José Mourinho, F.C. Internazionale Milano

Mourinho: Real Madrid coach?

If reports are to be believed, it is a triumph that will earn Mourinho the manager’s position at arguably the world’s biggest club, Real Madrid, this summer.

image caption : Composición de seis fotos de el estadio santiago bernabeu del real madrid, tomadas desde el vomitadero de la torre 3 entre el tercer y el cuarto anfiteatro. Me encanta el resultado

The BBC 606: DEBATE on Saturday night shortly after the final

"They never looked like losing. Controlled football"

According to some press articles this morning, JM has already accepted a position at Real Madrid HERE IS ONE

Samsung Inspire the Team (The Portuguese World Cup Team) – ‘Inspira a Seleccao’ Campaign Site with Videos and Photos submitted by the public at Shopping Centres:

‘Rock in Rio’ comes to Lisbon again

"…a series of rock festivals held in Brazil and later in Portugal and Spain. Future festivals are planned in Poznań (Poland)

Three incarnations of the festival were in Rio de Janeiro, in 1985, 1991 and 2001, four in Lisbon, in 2004, 2006, 2008 and 2010, and two in Madrid in 2008 and 2010. The shows were organized by entrepreneur Roberto Medina. In 2011, 2013, 2015 Rock in Rio may take place in Poznań on a reconstructed racing track.
Rock in Rio has been the largest rock festival in the world (1.5 million people in the first edition, 700 thousand in the second, about 1.2 million in the third, and about 350 thousand people in each of the 3 Lisbon editions." Source:

image caption : Shakira at Rock in Rio in Rio de Janeiro

Rock in Rio Lisbon 2010

According to Wikipedia the event continues on these dates with these artists performing:

May 27

• Muse
• Snow Patrol
• Xutos & Pontapés
• Sum 41

May 29

• Miley Cyrus
• McFly
• D’ZRT
• Amy Macdonald

May 30

• Rammstein
• Motorhead
• Megadeth
• Soulfly

"….’Rock in Rio’ is now a franchise, bought up by Lisbon’s municipality in 2004 and subsequently bought by Madrid a couple of years ago. The city gets the right to use the Rock in Rio brand and all the organisation and booking is done by the Brazilians who organised the Rock in Rio events.
A day ticket costs €57, and for that you get to see three biggish acts and one major name, making the event very poor value for money in comparison to British festivals. However, the acts do play full 90min to 2hr sets, rather than then truncated 40-50m sets you get at festivals. The bands/artists are paid an absolute fortune for playing and I think this is why a lot of the artists look out of shape and practice, because they’re not on tour but they can’t afford to turn it down." Source: ‘When Saturday Comes’ Message Board

Rock in Rio official site:

Many thanks to Paul for sending in the contributions for this football blog.

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(9th September). Today’s main news headline, and photo, showing an officer having an award pinned on him (or her?) : ‘More Commendations In The PSP – The distinctions, many of them "pointless", quadrupled in the last four years. The changes in the leadership of the Regional Police Command explains the abundance of ‘rewards’. The sub headline reads : ‘Pointless distinctions make Madeira the ‘El Dorado’ of distinctions’, a comment made by the trade union for police officers, who say the statistics are unparalleled elsewhere in Portugal. One explanation given is that outgoing police commanders hand out commendations like ‘tips’, and usually they change every 3 years, but there were two changes in 6 months. In just the first 4 months of this year, the number of commendations in recognition of "high technical competence", is pretty much the same as for the whole of 2008. The distinctions are intended to recognise police officers "who have committed deeds of extraordinary courage or exceptional dedication in the defence of persons, or property, or assets, risking their own life" and those that demonstrate in their career "an elevated level of technical and professional competence", and those having "elevated abilities of leadership or command", or who have provided "relevant service that contribute to the prestige of the PSP and the country", according to the police statute that governs the matter. The commendations count in career progress. I think that’s a bit mean spirited to refer to distinctions as ‘pointless’, after all they are recognition of a job well done somewhere, and now some officers must be thinking now it was all just talk. Anyway the whole crime and public order scene here has changed an awful lot in 4 years, so the numbers of commendations alone, as shown on the chart, don’t mean much without knowing what the awards were for. When I was in the boy scouts, they handed out merit badges like sweets, but they still meant something even though the chances were that everyone else had the same, or would have soon. You even had to sew them on yourself in those days, but I bet these days they are self adhesive, or laser impregnated, or something easy. I don’t remember ever getting a badge for sewing though?

‘Jellyfish Oblige SANAS To Double Assistance – 60 bathers were stung in just one day in Calheta’. Jellyfish have proved this summer to be the main headache for the lifeguards of SANAS, and there has been no year like it for at least the last ten years, with so many cases. With this Summer still underway, already there are 2099 cases of assistance recorded, compared to 1003 for the same period in 2008, with jellyfish being a major contributor to the difference, instead of minor cuts and falls as normal. An analysis of the numbers show that women have been more vulnerable to jellyfish stings than men, and also younger people and children tended to be more likely victims. Funchal of course had the most call for the recorded lifeguard assistance (43%), followed by Calheta (11%), Reis Magos (7.4%) and Ribeira Brava (7%). Most of the assistance given was in the sea (57.1%), followed by in swimming pools (20.3%), and the rest were categorised as ‘other’ which includes problems encountered on the beach. Three cases involved resuscitation associated with drowning (all successfully executed), whilst drowning without loss of consciousness occurred 9 times. 23 rescues were undertaken for cases of exhaustion. A spokesman for SANAS said "We’re not on the beaches to take care of children", and urged parents and family not to delegate this responsibility to lifeguards, so they can be stretched out on their towels sunbathing.

‘Europe Gave 926 Thousand Euros For A Card That Doesn’t Exist – ACS received funds for the project that never got off the drawing board’. Lino Abreu presented (with pomp and circumstance), in December 2004, an innovative project of the Association of Trade and Services (ACS), called the ‘Cartão das Ilhas Atlânticas’, which was a customer loyalty card useable on the islands of Macaronesia. At a press conference in January 2005, Abreu announced that the new card would be distributed with 15 days, with a computer software programme accessible in the Canaries, Madeira and the Azores, to manage the ‘loyalty awards’. However, the project that received €926,224 in European funds never moved of the paper it was written on because of technical difficulties attributed as "the fault of the Spanish", but the Chamber of Commerce and Services continued to receive payments from the EU. The project may still be implemented, although the Diário is of the opinion that the period permitted has now been exceeded.

‘Two More Cases Of Gripe A – Madeira has now had 35 confirmed cases’. That’s two new confirmed cases in the week until Sunday. Nearly all the cases so far are imported, mostly from the UK, Canary Islands, and Venezuela.

Today’s front page sports headlines : ‘Field Without Official Measurements Cost One Million – The synthetic pitch at Paul do Mar is 5 metres short’. The renovated football facility (it is certainly not a stadium), now has a synthetic pitch, and is due to be inaugurated on Sunday. However, one small problem, it is ‘prohibited’ from being able to host games under the Portuguese Football Federation (FPF), despite the €1.1 million investment, because it is only 59 metres wide, 5 metres short of the minimum imposed by new rules, introduced by the FPF in June, for international games. All is not lost however, as the pitch may be suitable to host other games, and that possibility is being looked in to. Paul do Mar is not the only victim of the new FPF rule, as a pitch in Calheta is also affected, and after the end of this season will also fall foul of the rule. The Regional Secretary behind the project, justified the situation, claiming that "the (€1.1m) improvement was made in view of the room that was available, and it is sufficient for regional events, and that Calheta already has other facilities that could host international matches". The field size "corresponds to the regional regulatory requirements", he said.

Also : ‘Only A Victory Will Allow The Luso Dream’. Referring to tonight’s World Cup Football Qualifier of course, Hungary v Portugal. Live on TVI, channel 4, at 7.45 pm.

Also : ‘Unprecedented : Marítimo Plays Sunday Morning’. Keen not to lose SportTV coverage, (and presumably the money involved?), Marítimo and Sporting Braga have agreed to bring forward their game, originally scheduled for Monday night, to Sunday morning (11.15 am). The situation is due somewhat by a problem with the floodlights at the Barreiros ground in Funchal. We will all still be in church then, won’t we?

UPDATES :

‘Council Approves An Additional Storey On The Atelier Melim Building’. The project situated on the Estrada Monumental, in the heart of tourist Funchal, is next to the Hotel CS. I think that takes it from 6 to 7 levels, but I am not 100% sure of the exact format or structure. The building licence was issued in August 2008 for the construction of the commercial centre and tourism apartments.

‘Renewal Of Walks Of Pico Ready In Less Than A Year – The council estimate that €1 million will be needed for the redevelopment of the area surrounding the Fortaleza (fortress) of Pico’. The project will start in November to improve the zone, which has suffered as a result of a large increase in population and ‘urban interventions’. To regenerate the site, Funchal council have acquired the entire surrounding area, amounting to 6,700 square metres. The new look site will include an ‘urban park’, a children’s play ground, a ‘green’ space with leisure features, view points, and a rich botanic feel, serving the local population. Some building refurbishment is also included in the project, which is expected to take up to one year to complete.

11 people were caught walking on the via rápida last week (Ribeira Brava – Caniçal). They were removed, along with 6 animals, 27 largish objects. 10 car accidents and 68 breakdowns were also dealt with.

The Association of Portuguese Insurance Companies has said that it would be "highly irresponsible" to cover claims arising from Gripe A swine flu against health insurance policies, and that doing so could lead to bankruptcy for some insurers. According to the association, APS, no insurance company "can measure the risk of an epidemic or pandemic, nor as to its frequency, nor as to its extent, nor as to its cost", and hence such occurrences are excluded from policies. 

(17th August). Today’s main news headline : ‘Infant Mortality Falls – Infant mortality on Madeira registered the lowest rate in the country in 2008, with just three deaths, the lowest figure ever. Forty years ago the highest rate in the country was here’. Improved supervision during pregnancy and care after birth are said to be the reasons, and also expectant mothers are more aware of the risks. The method of measurement is made through the number of deaths per thousand live births, and on that basis Madeira achieved 1.1 last year, against a national average of 3.3. Beyond that Madeira also achieved a rating of 0.4 for neonatal mortality (number of deaths in infants less than 28 days old) against a national average of 2.1. A health service spokesman was visibly pleased with the results, as Madeira spent 4 decades as the worst region in Portugal, in both aspects. Last year the birth rate here fell once again, to 2,699 live births, but it is still above the national average, with live births here per thousand of population at 10.9, compared to a national average of 9.8.

‘Ilha Pays Tribute To The Emigrant – Folklore, conviviality and animation lead hundreds to the village of Santana’. Tribute to the emigrants is the goal of the festival that happens every year in the Summer in the parish of Ilha. Organised by the Casa do Povo (House of the People) every year, they look to vary the programme every time. The event attracts hundreds of emigrants from all over Madeira and from Madeiran communities abroad, and includes traditional games. If they are emigrants from all over Madeira, in theory they wouldn’t be Madeiran?

‘Not Even With Pepper Gas Can The PSP Calm Nogueira – A family brawl spreads and not even police officers can control’. The neighbourhood is each time more out of control. Police officers are starting to fear going there. This time the trouble started when a man assaulted his ex-girlfriend. Not even the use of tear gas was sufficient to help police to make arrests during the family brawl in Nogueira. The police were threatened and insulted, and the ruffian managed to escape the three officers called in on Saturday afternoon. He is known to use knuckle-dusters in fights and is well known for his aggressive behaviour, and his frequent involvement in fights. The cops need to start waving their guns around a bit perhaps.

‘Two Boats Adrift Receive Tow’. In separate incidents at the weekend, two boats had to be rescued. The yacht had an engine failure off Ponta de São Lourenço, and the other boat ran out of fuel 7 miles south of Funchal. When rescuing the yacht the 8 occupants of the boat were found to be sick (sea sick I think), and hadn’t realised that their boat actually had a back up engine. Both boats were towed to dry land.

‘Accident In Calheta Injures Four’. Why this makes the front page I don’t know, but a car went off the via-expresso of Calheta between Prazeres and Maloeira early yesterday morning, and the 4 occupants were taken to Funchal hospital.

Yup, footie is back. With about half the front page taken up with the picture of Alonso of Marítimo running in to take a penalty. ‘Steady Marítimo Surprise Benfica In The Stadium of Light – Firstly there was the surprise of the blue and yellow (kit), then the steady performance. Overall the goalkeeper Peçanha was fundamental in the 1 – 1 draw achieved. The ex-Nacional player Alonso scored the goal of Marítimo, from a penalty, with plenty of class’. I missed the first half, but the second was one-way-traffic in my opinion and hardly steady, but a fine result nether-the-less. That result made 6 out of the first 7 initial games of the season drawn over the weekend, with the big three teams all blessed with late goals to avoid defeat.

‘Mother Of God Wants A Bus- The council agrees with the population and asks for more understanding from the bus company’. Nothing special about the story about the transport needs of the population of ‘Mãe de Deus’ in Caniço, I just liked the headline. Of course Caniço rather oddly has it’s very own bus company (EACL), and perhaps not many people know that?

‘Helena Rodrigues Makes History In Canada’. A 4 woman team took the bronze medal in the k4 200 metre canoeing event in the world championships in Canada. Maybe Helena is from Madeira, it doesn’t say.

‘São Martinho Homes A Quarter of Funchal – The parish has experienced a large increase in population’. When the trend is for the decline in population, the parish of São Martinho takes the opposite path, homing approximately a quarter of the population of Funchal. According to statistics from 2006, the population of Funchal was 99,759 inhabitants, while that of São Martinho amounted to 26,540, almost six thousand more than in 2001. The area of 8.06 square kilometres is about 30% of the total area of Funchal, and is now one of the most sought after for housing. Hmmm, I doubt if Nazaré or even Santo Amaro are included in that statement, but as the mass expansion of concrete in Ajuda is also within São Martinho, that probably accounts for quite a lot of the growth.

(16th August). From yesterday’s Jornal da Madeira : ’274 Burglaries In Homes In The First 6 Months Of 2009 – Last year the police registered 647 situations’. 274 burglaries in 6 months on Madeira say the Public Security Police, who take some credit through action that they themselves took to ensure the numbers stayed low. That includes ‘Operation Safe Summer’ that warned residents to be extra vigilant during the holiday period, and even allowed people going on holiday to let the police know that their house was empty and to keep a lookout, although only 93 people have used this so far (until the end of July). Though I doubt whether everything has been reported, it seem pretty good, and it seems that potentially this year will even be lower than last years total.