Life is a miracle, and that one is nothing new, but proofs of it in contemporary football are absolute gems.Take a look, for instance, at Bruno’s Magpies. The Gibraltar-based side was founded back in 2013 by a group of Newcastle United supporters in a local pub.Their first coach, Mick Embleton, was an avid NUFC fan, hence the name and black-and-white shirts.Of course, it has nothing to do with Bruno Guimaraes, who joined the Toons some years later, but the coincidence is also charming. And while the mentioned Bruno is still enjoying his vacation ahead of the next season, Bruno’s Magpies are in full ‘working’ mode.Unlike Newcastle United – who will miss European football next season after finishing seventh in the Premier League – those minnows are already doing wonders. Bruno’s Magpies shocked the world late Thursday night as they eliminated Northern Ireland’s Derri City in the UEFA Europa Conference League.THEY HAVE DONE IT 🇬🇮Gibraltan side Bruno’s Magpies, managed by Nathan Rooney, have knocked out Irish side Derry City 🤯The away side won in extra time, meaning they progress to face CopenhagenWhat a result for the English manager 👀 pic.twitter.com/mICxRUmwLc— tomhwilliams23 (@tomhwilliams23) July 18, 2024 After a 2-0 upset in the first leg played on their soil, the underdogs were pushed back with two goals in their own net in the rematch. The game went to extra time, where Evan de Haro turned into a hero thanks to a 111st-minute decider.To make it even more bizarre and interesting, De Haro played for the Gibraltar men’s national U16 basketball team at the 2018 FIBA U16 European Championship Division C held in San Marino, averaging three points, 7.2 rebounds, and 1.2 assists per game.3) Bruno’s Magpies 🇬🇮A pub team that was founded by a group of friends that drank in Bruno’s Bar in Gibraltar in 2013.The club’s first coach Mick Embleton, a Newcastle fan, only agreed to the job on the condition Magpies was included in the name & they played in black/white. pic.twitter.com/ohMwSMNms5— The Sweeper (@SweeperPod) July 8, 2024 Bruno’s Magpies will face FC Copenhagen (Champions League slot last season) in the next ECL qualifying round.##NAJAVA_MECA_8221839##
