Fla defeats Quimsa and continues towards the South American title
Gávea team "settles accounts" with Argentines (88 to 74) and faces Brasília in the League final
By From the official website team - in
Flamengo is in its second South American League final in the last three years. The 2009 champion defeated Argentina's Quimsa 88-74 (51-34) and will face Uniceub/Brasília in the grand final this Sunday (November 28.11). The duel will be the tiebreaker for the two NBB (New Basketball Brazil) finals, with one win for each. It's worth remembering that in 2008, Flamengo also defeated Brasília in the National Championship, organized by the Brazilian Bar Association (CBB). The Nação Rubro-Negra (Red-Black Nation) turned the HSBC Arena into a huge celebration with the victory.
And the Flamengo board has already prepared a promotion to attract even more Flamengo fans to the stadium for the final. Fans wearing the sacred jersey will pay only half price. Flamengo's strong performance featured centers Atila and Bábby, forward Marcelinho, and point guard Fred as standouts. The match's top scorer was Argentine Mazzaro, with 23 points. Flamengo's top scorer, with 21, center Atila was decisive in the toughest moments of the duel with the reigning tournament champion.
"It was a very good match and a victory for the whole group. I'm happy because my teammates trusted me when they saw me playing freely on the court. Today everything was going well, we did a good job. We have to maintain the same attitude against Brasília in the final. We're counting on the strength of our fans, because they make all the difference, they're our sixth player. We really want this title," said Atila, happy with his double-double (21 points and 12 rebounds).
Fla starts well and dominates the game
In less than two minutes, Flamengo led by seven points, prompting a timeout from the Argentine coach. Guto, with seven points, was the star of the red-and-black team's strong start. With two technical fouls, Quimsa came from behind to lead 13-12, but it didn't last long. Responsible for one of the penalties, after an altercation with an Argentine player, Marcelinho was substituted, but returned to the court to score his first point, a free throw, after almost five minutes.
Leading by an average of four points and a strong performance by Bábby, who scored ten and prevented the Argentines from fighting back, Flamengo closed the first quarter 25-23. The balance continued in the second quarter, when the game became tense and Marcelinho picked up three fouls with seven minutes remaining. Midway through the second quarter, the Brazilians opened up a nine-point lead (36-27). The lead continued to grow, and center Atila wowed the crowd with a beautiful dunk, increasing the lead to 45-31 with one minute remaining. With a three-pointer from Marcelinho and another three points from Átila, who scored and was fouled, Flamengo closed it out at 51-34.
Vacancy arrives with fans celebrating
Giving the South American League champions no chance, Flamengo quickly took a 23-point lead early in the second half with inspired performances from Jefferson and Bábby. The fans responded to Flamengo's strong performance with wild celebrations in the stands. Marcelinho stepped up his game, reaching 15 points in the third quarter, but the Argentines refused to give up, and their lead only increased by two points in the third quarter (76-57).
In the final quarter, Quimsa went all-out and even managed to rally, but Flamengo managed to hold on to their advantage and secured a spot in the final with an 88-74 victory, much to the delight of the red-and-blacks. The chance to avenge their defeat in the NBB final in May has the players even more motivated to achieve their second championship.
"We've never played a South American final at home. We know the opponent, and it will undoubtedly be a very difficult and evenly matched match, but we don't want to leave the stadium with anything other than a victory," says captain Marcelinho.
Flamengo: Marcelinho (15), Guto (7), Fred (12), Teichemann (4), Bábby (13). Entered: Hélio (6), Wagner (2), Duda (2), Jefferson (6), Atila (21).
Quimsa: Lo Grippo (8), Treise (6), Mazzaro (23), Brown (6), Gonzalez (13). Entered: Levrino (-), Gomez (2), Marin (7), Tintorelli (9).
And the Flamengo board has already prepared a promotion to attract even more Flamengo fans to the stadium for the final. Fans wearing the sacred jersey will pay only half price. Flamengo's strong performance featured centers Atila and Bábby, forward Marcelinho, and point guard Fred as standouts. The match's top scorer was Argentine Mazzaro, with 23 points. Flamengo's top scorer, with 21, center Atila was decisive in the toughest moments of the duel with the reigning tournament champion.
"It was a very good match and a victory for the whole group. I'm happy because my teammates trusted me when they saw me playing freely on the court. Today everything was going well, we did a good job. We have to maintain the same attitude against Brasília in the final. We're counting on the strength of our fans, because they make all the difference, they're our sixth player. We really want this title," said Atila, happy with his double-double (21 points and 12 rebounds).
Fla starts well and dominates the game
In less than two minutes, Flamengo led by seven points, prompting a timeout from the Argentine coach. Guto, with seven points, was the star of the red-and-black team's strong start. With two technical fouls, Quimsa came from behind to lead 13-12, but it didn't last long. Responsible for one of the penalties, after an altercation with an Argentine player, Marcelinho was substituted, but returned to the court to score his first point, a free throw, after almost five minutes.
Leading by an average of four points and a strong performance by Bábby, who scored ten and prevented the Argentines from fighting back, Flamengo closed the first quarter 25-23. The balance continued in the second quarter, when the game became tense and Marcelinho picked up three fouls with seven minutes remaining. Midway through the second quarter, the Brazilians opened up a nine-point lead (36-27). The lead continued to grow, and center Atila wowed the crowd with a beautiful dunk, increasing the lead to 45-31 with one minute remaining. With a three-pointer from Marcelinho and another three points from Átila, who scored and was fouled, Flamengo closed it out at 51-34.
Vacancy arrives with fans celebrating
Giving the South American League champions no chance, Flamengo quickly took a 23-point lead early in the second half with inspired performances from Jefferson and Bábby. The fans responded to Flamengo's strong performance with wild celebrations in the stands. Marcelinho stepped up his game, reaching 15 points in the third quarter, but the Argentines refused to give up, and their lead only increased by two points in the third quarter (76-57).
In the final quarter, Quimsa went all-out and even managed to rally, but Flamengo managed to hold on to their advantage and secured a spot in the final with an 88-74 victory, much to the delight of the red-and-blacks. The chance to avenge their defeat in the NBB final in May has the players even more motivated to achieve their second championship.
"We've never played a South American final at home. We know the opponent, and it will undoubtedly be a very difficult and evenly matched match, but we don't want to leave the stadium with anything other than a victory," says captain Marcelinho.
Flamengo: Marcelinho (15), Guto (7), Fred (12), Teichemann (4), Bábby (13). Entered: Hélio (6), Wagner (2), Duda (2), Jefferson (6), Atila (21).
Quimsa: Lo Grippo (8), Treise (6), Mazzaro (23), Brown (6), Gonzalez (13). Entered: Levrino (-), Gomez (2), Marin (7), Tintorelli (9).