The time has come! FlaBasquete faces Lakeland Magic in the World Cup semifinals
In Cairo (EGI), Mais Querido begins its fight for its second championship this Friday, with ESPN broadcasting
By Helena Petry - inThe World Cup debut is just around the corner! In just a few hours, FlaBasquete will take to the court in search of a spot in the FIBA Intercontinental Cup final. Against the Lakeland Magic of the United States, the Red-Blacks will play at 12 p.m. Brasília time, 17 p.m. local time. ESPN will broadcast the competition live.
The 2014 champion, Orgulho da Nação, is looking to repeat the feat with a trump card: the experience of Olivinha, the only remaining member of the team that made history eight years ago. Promoted to team captain, the God of Race spoke about this Friday's match and the team's strengths.
"I think our main strength is the unity of the group. Everyone knows their role, no one wants to be bigger than anyone else, and everyone is doing their job very well so far. We've demonstrated that we're a very united and focused team with enormous potential. I truly believe these factors can be crucial in the Intercontinental. It's a competition that will push us to play at a very high level of basketball, and I believe we're on the right track," said the star.
A national idol for over a decade and a champion of everything for Rubro-Negro, the number 16 also spoke about his motivation to pursue even more achievements.
"I've been a professional here at Flamengo for 14 years, and I've won many titles. I'm completely fulfilled with the Manto, but I always want more. I still have that desire, that hunger for titles and victories; I'm driven by it. This is always a motivation for me, and it's with this feeling that I step onto the court, thinking about victories and achievements. We have an opportunity to seek another World Cup for Flamengo, and right now, that's what's missing for me," he concluded.
In the other semifinal, the home team, Zamalek, face San Pablo Burgos, from Spain, the current champion of the tournament. The match takes place after Flamengo x Lakeland, at 20 pm. The final and the decision for 3rd place take place on Sunday (13).
The basketball teams of Clube de Regatas do Flamengo rely on resources from their sponsors – BRB, MOSS, TIM, AmBev, Rede D'or, IRB Brasil RE, CSN, Brasil Plural, EY – via the Federal Incentive Law/Ministry of Sports (IR) and State Incentive Law/State Secretariat of Sports, Leisure and Youth (Seelje) of Rio de Janeiro, in addition to support from the Brazilian Club Committee (CBC).