Until this week, the only things Norwich City had in common with Brazil were the green and yellow kit and the round ball.
Yes, the Canaries once had the 'Ginger Pele', Gary Doherty, playing for them. But that didn't really count.
Now, though, the two teams which are separated by thousands of miles are united in the fellowship of suffering.
For Brazil's 7-1 home defeat by Germany in Tuesday's World Cup semi-final brought memories flooding back for Norwich fans, of the 7-1 home defeat to Colchester United on August 8, 2009.
Spookily, both matches were 0-5 at half-time, and as the World Cup's most surprising story unfolded, Twitter was abuzz with City fans who were comparing the two matches.
Former Norwich City boss Bryan Gunn was the manager when Colchester shot down the Canaries – and the goalkeeper when Norwich lost 7-1 to Blackburn Rovers in 1992.
Gunn tweeted about his sympathy for Brazil manager Luiz Felipe Scolari and keeper Julio Cesar.
Former Norwich City midfielder David Fox, who played for Colchester – and scored – during the 7-1 win, had his tongue in his cheek when tweeting: '5-0 up at half time then win 7-1 that hardly ever happens'.
Norwich famously responded to the humiliation by headhunting the Colchester manager Paul Lambert as City boss.
Some Canaries fan suggested mischievously that Brazil might respond to their thrashing by poaching Germany boss Joachim Loew.
But the Samba Kings might draw more strength from the next chapters in Norwich's history.
For Lambert swiftly axed many of the 'Colchester XI', before masterminding successive promotions to get Norwich back in the Premier League.
• It was just like watching Brazil...
BRAZIL
Julio Cesar – Won numerous honours in Italy for Internazionale, before winning the honour of relegation at QPR, being dropped and then loaned to FC Toronto
Maicon - Pacy fullback for Roma, he is better at attacking than defending – as Gareth Bale and the Germany team will testify
Marcelo - Defender (allegedly) for European champions Real Madrid
David Luiz - Another alleged defender, Luiz recently signed for Paris St Germain from Chelsea for £50m – arguably the best English victory over the French since Waterloo
Dante – The third member of Brazil's defensive Hair Bear Bunch, Dante plays for Bayern Munich
Bernard – Not the nurse in Blackadder, although the Shakhtar Donetsk midfielder is almost as funny
Fernandinho – Box-to-box Manchester City midfielder. Bench-to-pitch or pitch-to-bench Brazil medfielder
Gustavo - He has a dubious 1980s moustache and was born in Pindamonhangaba
Oscar – Playmaker: the poor man's Wes Hoolahan
Hulk – Not incredible. Runs around less than Grant Holt
Fred - A 'striker' who never failed at the World Cup to live down to his uninspiring name.
NORWICH CITY
Theoklitos – The only Norwich City goalie to finish with a club record of seven goals conceded per match. Has changed his name to Michael Theo.
Otsemobor - Pacy fullback for nobody at the moment
Doherty - The Ginger Pele, currently plays for Wycombe Wanderers
Nelson – The admirable Michael recovered from debut humiliation to be a cult hero at Carrow Road. Currently at Hibernian
Drury – The 'best left back outside the Premier League' is currently the best left back without a club after being released by Leeds United
Whaley – Listed as a 'former footballer'– which is what some Norwich City fans thought he was when he played
Gill – Not seen much in green and yellow after the Colchester debacle, Gill is currently player-coach at Tranmere Rovers
Tudur Jones – Hard to decide what was more difficult – spelling his surname correctly or comprehending why he was signed
Hoolahan – Playmaker: A rich man's Oscar
Holt – Incredible. Hulking centre forward who scores goals
Martin – Local-boy-done-good who is scoring shedloads of goals for Derby
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here