Cabo Frio is a favorite destination for Rio de Janeiro residents during their summer vacation. As November draws to a close, classes are ending, and many residents of the Marvelous City head to the Lakes Region in search of tranquility, beaches, and plenty of sunshine. But Flamengo's futsal and basketball teams won't be traveling to the city for leisure. The sweat they'll be sweating won't be from the sun, but from the hard work both teams will have to put in against the home team, in both sports.

Interestingly, the two teams, in both basketball and futsal, also have another unique feature: Flamengo and Cabo Frio won the state championships in both sports last season. Flamengo won both. This week will feature two important clashes between Flamengo and Cabo Frio. Both will be in Gávea, one on Wednesday and the other on Thursday. At the Hélio Maurício Gymnasium, the basketball team, the current four-time Rio de Janeiro champion, begins its campaign in the semifinals of the 2009 State Championship against its opponent in last year's final.

"Flamengo's goal is always to go out and win, regardless of the game or the championship. We won the State Championship against Cabo Frio last year, and now we face them again in this semifinal. Our goal is to win our fifth title. The team is focused, and we hope to play another good game to get our first win in this series," said coach Paulo Chupeta.

On Thursday, Flamengo and Cabo Frio will rematch the 2008 State Championship final. For Cabo Frio, the match is just a fixture, while the Red-Blacks need at least a draw to secure their spot in the semifinals and continue their fight for a second title. Cabo Frio is second and is already guaranteed a spot in the next round, as is leader Petrópolis. Flamengo, Vassouras, and América are all vying for two spots. Playing at home, Flamengo hopes to do its part and secure a spot.

"We have great memories of Cabo Frio. Last year's victory is unforgettable for all of us who were part of that group, but that doesn't count for anything now. We need to win again; all we need is a positive result to keep us thinking about the semifinals and also about winning the championship for the second time," said winger/defensive midfielder Michel Marques.