With Marquinhos and Marcelinho on the roster and José Neto on the coaching staff, the Brazilian national basketball team defeated Argentina 85-65 and secured a spot in the quarterfinals of the Basketball World Cup in Madrid. Herrmann and Laprovittola, the center and point guard for the red-and-black team this season, were on the team. The national team hadn't made it this far in the competition since 2002. Brazil will face Serbia for a spot in the semifinals next Wednesday (September 10.09) at 13 p.m.

Trailing in the first quarter, Marquinhos led the Brazilian team's comeback in the second period, scoring two points after a beautiful play against Scola: 36-35. The Brazilian defense stepped up and, on offense, the red-and-black power forward scored eight more points, putting the team ahead with a quarter remaining (57-49). In the last period, Brazil walked away and secured their spot.

Marquinhos, Marcelinho, Herrmann, and Laprovittola will face many challenges this year under José Neto's leadership. After the Club World Cup against Maccabi Tel Aviv and the NBA preseason friendlies, Flamengo will also have to defend its state, national, and continental titles in the Campeonato Carioca, Novo Basquete Brasil, and Liga das Américas.