Samba star threatens Cork City’s Europa League ambitions

They’re not quite in holiday mode, but Cork City will take to the beach today as they begin their Europa League campaign, and it’s a boy from Brazil who threatens to derail the European adventure.

Manager John Caulfield is predicting a blood-and-thunder battle in Estonia as Cork City kick off their continental adventure on Thursday evening against Levadia Tallinn at the Rannastaadion (translated literally as “the beach stadium”) in the coastal city of Parnu, about two hours drive from the capital.

On the shores of the Baltic Sea, it’s a Middlesbrough player who presents a major threat to the SSE Airtricity League leaders. João Morelli is a 21-year-old Brazilian on loan at Levadia from the side relegated from the Premier League last season.