The Verdão won their last 17 games in an unbeaten season and during that run reached the Copa do Brasil final notching up seven wins on the way to set a world record 24 consecutive wins between the 3rd of February and the 5th of May. The run was finally ended by Vasco in the Copa do Brasil final with a 1-0 defeat.
During the super streak Coritiba surpassed the domestic record of São Paulo team Palmeiras who had previously racked up 21 consecutive wins, and secured an unprecedented 35th Paranense State Championship.
The upturn in fortunes for ‘o Coxa’ is remarkable considering that in 2009 the club was relegated amid ugly scenes as fans invaded the pitch after their final game. Since regaining promotion to the Brasileirão the club has seen membership rise from a low of 2,500 to over 30,000 fans seemingly inspired by the record-breaking string of results .
On Monday night, Guinness World Records officially certified the achievement, the most consecutive victories in all competitions, at the club’s 102 anniversary dinner. Last Sunday the team donned a new commemorative kit that included the dates of the 24 wins and the club’s new motto ‘O mais vitorioso do Mundo’.
[text by Ralph Hannah]
