The debut of the Olympic basketball team did not start as expected. After having beaten Lithuania in a friendly in preparation for the Games, the match between the two teams last Sunday (7) seemed to be heading towards a blowout for the opponent, who even opened up a 30-point lead. But Brazil showed grit and determination, did not give up and fought back. The team reduced the advantage to just four points (80 to 76) seconds before the final buzzer, but Lithuania scored two more in free throws and won 82 to 76.

The team includes three Flamengo players who have won multiple championships with FlaBasquete: forward Marquinhos, who came off the bench to score seven points, grab three rebounds and dish out two assists; coach José Neto, Magnano's assistant; and physical trainer Diego Falcão.

Brazil's next opponent will be the very strong Spain, this Tuesday (9), at 14:15 pm. The two teams have faced each other five times in the history of the competition, with three Spanish victories against two Brazilian ones. In the last confrontation, in London 2012, a green-yellow victory by 88 to 82. In the sequence of the competition, Brazil will face Croatia (Thursday), Argentina (13) and Nigeria (15).