Basketball: the year Flamengo won everything
Rubro-Negros made history in 2009 by winning the Rio, national and South American titles
By From the team at Flamengo's official website - in
Flamengo's most successful year in basketball history is coming to an end. In its 114 years of existence, the club has never won so many titles in a single season. Coach Paulo Chupeta's team, already a national champion and a four-time state champion, had an impeccable 2009, winning its second Brazilian championship, its fifth Rio de Janeiro championship, and the South American League. It couldn't have been better. And, since remembering is living, it's worth remembering these moments of glory in red and black on the court.
Flamengo's basketball team took the ball to the court for the first time this year on January 14th. The team debuted in the Liga das Américas by defeating its biggest rival, Brasília, 96-92, and took an important step towards qualifying for the tournament. The team then beat Deportes Castro, but in the final round, they were defeated by Libertad Sunchales and missed out on the Final Four. But, oh well, the best was saved for the following months. While the year began with a slight disappointment, its run was nothing short of glorious.
Then came the continuation of the first phase of the New Basketball Brazil, which had begun in late 2008, and the qualifying round of the South American League. In both, Flamengo performed well. They overcame all their opponents and, with great technique combined with a will to win and resilience, finished the first phase of the NBB as leaders and qualified for the decisive quadrangular of the international competition. This was precisely the Rubro-Negro's first title of the season.
South American - Late in the evening on an unforgettable March 12th, with 41 points from star Marcelinho Machado, Paulo Chupeta's team made history. In Argentina, in a packed gymnasium, facing pressure from all sides, Flamengo defeated the strong Quimsa team 98-96, and having already beaten Regatas (92-72) and Cucuta (115-82), they won the South American Men's Basketball Championship for the third time in the club's history.
"We're on a very good run, especially in terms of victories, and that's very important. All of this is the result of training, a lot of dedication, a lot of work and the strength of this group, which enjoys playing together and is very united," said forward/point guard Duda.
NBB- Two months passed until the NBB playoffs began on May 16th. In the quarterfinals, a series already considered very difficult, they faced Pinheiros. However, with the more than inspired duo of Marcelinho and Baby, the red-and-blacks faced little trouble in qualifying for the semifinals. The victories were close, but the team closed out the best-of-five series with three wins to zero (92-87, 92-85, and 87-84) and secured a spot in the semifinals, where they faced Joinville. After a difficult first game (88-86), Flamengo took off and also easily defeated the Santa Catarina team: 92-86 and 109-94.
Then came the decision everyone had been waiting for. Just like in 2008, the two best teams in Brazilian basketball faced off. On June 11th, the Novo Basquete Brasil finals began in the capital. And who said Flamengo was scared off by this? On the contrary, they stormed ahead and took a 1-0 lead in the series, winning 81-74, with 32 points from Marcelinho and 20 from Jefferson. After that, the team would have two home games to close out the finals.
However, in the first game, they ended up losing by ten points: 81-71. The series then became complicated. And everything pointed to a fifth game. That's exactly what happened. In the second game at HSBC Arena, Flamengo won 99-78, and in the second game in Brasília, the home team won 82-78 in overtime. The title decision was left to Rio de Janeiro. In front of more than 15 people at the Barra da Tijuca gymnasium, Flamengo couldn't disappoint. And they didn't. With grit, and again with a decisive contribution from Marcelinho, who scored 27 points, they defeated Universo 76-68 and won their second consecutive national title.
State - To close the year with the Triple Crown, all that was left was to confirm their favoritism and win the State Championship at the end of 2009. And they did, without much difficulty. Once again, undefeated, Flamengo overcame all opponents, defeating Club Municipal 2-0 in the best-of-three final, and winning their fifth Rio state championship.
"This is my eighth title with Flamengo and each one is special. It's a great joy to be champion wearing the jersey of my favorite club," said captain Marcelinho Machado.
After such a successful year, the expectation is that in 2010, Flamengo can continue with the same drive to win even more titles and allow Marcelinho and company to further write their names in the club's history.
Flamengo's basketball team took the ball to the court for the first time this year on January 14th. The team debuted in the Liga das Américas by defeating its biggest rival, Brasília, 96-92, and took an important step towards qualifying for the tournament. The team then beat Deportes Castro, but in the final round, they were defeated by Libertad Sunchales and missed out on the Final Four. But, oh well, the best was saved for the following months. While the year began with a slight disappointment, its run was nothing short of glorious.
Then came the continuation of the first phase of the New Basketball Brazil, which had begun in late 2008, and the qualifying round of the South American League. In both, Flamengo performed well. They overcame all their opponents and, with great technique combined with a will to win and resilience, finished the first phase of the NBB as leaders and qualified for the decisive quadrangular of the international competition. This was precisely the Rubro-Negro's first title of the season.
South American - Late in the evening on an unforgettable March 12th, with 41 points from star Marcelinho Machado, Paulo Chupeta's team made history. In Argentina, in a packed gymnasium, facing pressure from all sides, Flamengo defeated the strong Quimsa team 98-96, and having already beaten Regatas (92-72) and Cucuta (115-82), they won the South American Men's Basketball Championship for the third time in the club's history.
"We're on a very good run, especially in terms of victories, and that's very important. All of this is the result of training, a lot of dedication, a lot of work and the strength of this group, which enjoys playing together and is very united," said forward/point guard Duda.
NBB- Two months passed until the NBB playoffs began on May 16th. In the quarterfinals, a series already considered very difficult, they faced Pinheiros. However, with the more than inspired duo of Marcelinho and Baby, the red-and-blacks faced little trouble in qualifying for the semifinals. The victories were close, but the team closed out the best-of-five series with three wins to zero (92-87, 92-85, and 87-84) and secured a spot in the semifinals, where they faced Joinville. After a difficult first game (88-86), Flamengo took off and also easily defeated the Santa Catarina team: 92-86 and 109-94.
Then came the decision everyone had been waiting for. Just like in 2008, the two best teams in Brazilian basketball faced off. On June 11th, the Novo Basquete Brasil finals began in the capital. And who said Flamengo was scared off by this? On the contrary, they stormed ahead and took a 1-0 lead in the series, winning 81-74, with 32 points from Marcelinho and 20 from Jefferson. After that, the team would have two home games to close out the finals.
However, in the first game, they ended up losing by ten points: 81-71. The series then became complicated. And everything pointed to a fifth game. That's exactly what happened. In the second game at HSBC Arena, Flamengo won 99-78, and in the second game in Brasília, the home team won 82-78 in overtime. The title decision was left to Rio de Janeiro. In front of more than 15 people at the Barra da Tijuca gymnasium, Flamengo couldn't disappoint. And they didn't. With grit, and again with a decisive contribution from Marcelinho, who scored 27 points, they defeated Universo 76-68 and won their second consecutive national title.
State - To close the year with the Triple Crown, all that was left was to confirm their favoritism and win the State Championship at the end of 2009. And they did, without much difficulty. Once again, undefeated, Flamengo overcame all opponents, defeating Club Municipal 2-0 in the best-of-three final, and winning their fifth Rio state championship.
"This is my eighth title with Flamengo and each one is special. It's a great joy to be champion wearing the jersey of my favorite club," said captain Marcelinho Machado.
After such a successful year, the expectation is that in 2010, Flamengo can continue with the same drive to win even more titles and allow Marcelinho and company to further write their names in the club's history.