Fla debuts in the final hexagonal of the South American League in Buenos Aires
In search of the second title, Rubro-negro faces Pinheiros, this Wednesday, at 20:30 pm (Brasília time)
By press office - in
In search of its second championship title, Flamengo debuts this Wednesday (01.02) in the final hexagonal of the South American League. The team, champion of the tournament in 2009, faces Pinheiros, at 20:30 pm (Brasília time), at the Obras Sanitárias gymnasium, in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Flamengo is in Group A, which also includes Atenas, from Córdoba (ARG). In Group B are Brasília (BRA), Obras Sanitárias (ARG) and Malvin (URU).
On Thursday (02.02), Flamengo will have a rest in the competition and on Friday (03.01), they will face Atenas, also at 20:30 pm (Brasília time). The two best teams from each group will advance to the semifinals, on Saturday (04.01). The decision will be on Sunday (05.01).
Pinheiros, their opening opponent, has beaten Flamengo twice this season in the NBB4. But coach Gonzalo Garcia doesn't see the match as a rematch.
"It's a new competition. We have to forget about the NBB and focus solely on the South American League, which is what interests us now," said the coach. "The tournament is small and doesn't give us any room for mistakes. We have to be very focused," he added.
One of the stars of the red-and-black team, Argentinian Kammerichs agrees with the coach, but intends to use the games against Pinheiros in the NBB as a lesson for the South American League.
"We have to analyze where we went wrong in the two matches we played in Brazil and try to correct those mistakes now. Of course, the South American League is a different competition, but we will try to reverse the negative result," said the Argentine.
With their minds on the São Paulo team, the red-blacks don't see any easy opponents in the competition:
"Our focus is entirely on Pinheiros right now. So, I can say that they will be our toughest opponent. Once the opening match is over, we'll focus on Atenas and so on," explained coach Gonzalo Garcia.
"The South American League is a short and intense competition, where you only play four matches to be champion, so we have to think about one opponent at a time," added Kammerichs.
On Thursday (02.02), Flamengo will have a rest in the competition and on Friday (03.01), they will face Atenas, also at 20:30 pm (Brasília time). The two best teams from each group will advance to the semifinals, on Saturday (04.01). The decision will be on Sunday (05.01).
Pinheiros, their opening opponent, has beaten Flamengo twice this season in the NBB4. But coach Gonzalo Garcia doesn't see the match as a rematch.
"It's a new competition. We have to forget about the NBB and focus solely on the South American League, which is what interests us now," said the coach. "The tournament is small and doesn't give us any room for mistakes. We have to be very focused," he added.
One of the stars of the red-and-black team, Argentinian Kammerichs agrees with the coach, but intends to use the games against Pinheiros in the NBB as a lesson for the South American League.
"We have to analyze where we went wrong in the two matches we played in Brazil and try to correct those mistakes now. Of course, the South American League is a different competition, but we will try to reverse the negative result," said the Argentine.
With their minds on the São Paulo team, the red-blacks don't see any easy opponents in the competition:
"Our focus is entirely on Pinheiros right now. So, I can say that they will be our toughest opponent. Once the opening match is over, we'll focus on Atenas and so on," explained coach Gonzalo Garcia.
"The South American League is a short and intense competition, where you only play four matches to be champion, so we have to think about one opponent at a time," added Kammerichs.