And this Monday there's more...
Flamengo hosts São José at the HSBC Arena, and if they win, they will secure a spot in the NBB semi-finals.
By From the team at Flamengo's official website - in
Leading 2-0 in the best-of-five quarterfinals of the 2009-2010 New Basketball Brazil tournament, Flamengo hosts São José on Monday night at the HSBC Arena, needing just one more win to secure a spot in the semifinals. The current two-time Brazilian champion, South American champion, and five-time Rio de Janeiro champion, the team from Gávea faces the São Paulo champion at 19 p.m. seeking to close out the series in Rio de Janeiro.
Motivated, coach Paulo Chupeta's team isn't giving in to fatigue. Despite playing twice in less than 24 hours, the red-and-blacks promise a strong effort in the match later today.
"We're already used to this. We play tournaments that have three games in three days, for example. This is a well-rounded group that doesn't get beaten easily. We have to do our homework and close out this series at home. We know it's going to be tough. Their team has already shown its strength and will go all out in this game, but we'll respect them, enter the court cautiously, and go for the result," said the team's top scorer, Marcelinho Machado.
The number 4 shirt also reinforced his teammates' speech after the victory over São José on Sunday and praised the group's homogeneity.
"Basketball allows you to change the team all the time, and having a quality bench is important. We rely on the strength of this group. We know that if we get tired, there will be someone ready to step in and get the job done," he added.
If Flamengo beats São José, they'll face Franca in the semifinals. The winner of that match will face the winner of Minas Gerais or Brasília, who will play in the other semifinal.
Motivated, coach Paulo Chupeta's team isn't giving in to fatigue. Despite playing twice in less than 24 hours, the red-and-blacks promise a strong effort in the match later today.
"We're already used to this. We play tournaments that have three games in three days, for example. This is a well-rounded group that doesn't get beaten easily. We have to do our homework and close out this series at home. We know it's going to be tough. Their team has already shown its strength and will go all out in this game, but we'll respect them, enter the court cautiously, and go for the result," said the team's top scorer, Marcelinho Machado.
The number 4 shirt also reinforced his teammates' speech after the victory over São José on Sunday and praised the group's homogeneity.
"Basketball allows you to change the team all the time, and having a quality bench is important. We rely on the strength of this group. We know that if we get tired, there will be someone ready to step in and get the job done," he added.
If Flamengo beats São José, they'll face Franca in the semifinals. The winner of that match will face the winner of Minas Gerais or Brasília, who will play in the other semifinal.