Fla debuts in the Interligas Tournament against the leader of the Argentine championship
Rubro-negro's opening match will be against Obras Sanitárias this Friday (08.04), at 21 pm
By From the official website team - in
Flamengo debuts this Friday (08.04) in the Interleague Tournament, in Mendoza, Argentina. The competition brings together the top four teams in the NBB qualifying phase (Franca, Pinheiros, Brasília and Flamengo) and the top four in the Argentine League (Obras Sanitárias, Peñarol de Mar del Plata, Libertad Sunchales and Atenas de Córdoba). The first challenge for the Rubro-negro will be against Obras Sanitárias, leader of the Argentine championship, at 21 pm in Brasília, with broadcast on Sportv 2.
Brasília and Peñarol are also in the group. The games on Saturday (April 08.04) and Sunday (April 09.04), at 19 p.m. and 21.04 p.m., will be decided based on the results of the first round. The final, between the top two teams from each group, will take place on April 21 in Brazil (if any Brazilian team qualifies).
Flamengo will be without two key players in the competition: forward/point guard Marcelinho, with a neck injury that is radiating to his right arm, remained in Rio for treatment for the playoffs. He even played the final games of the second half of the season with pain. Center Bábby is the other player missing. The player, who suffered a dislocated left shoulder in the match against Uberlândia on March 25.03, continues his treatment.
"Marcelinho and Bábby are missed by any team. On the other hand, other players will be able to spend more time on the court and show their worth. My responsibility increases, but I'll make the most of it," said power forward Jefferson, one of Rubro-Negro's weapons in the competition.
In addition to seeking another international title, Flamengo, the 2009 South American champion, will use the tournament to prepare for the NBB Playoffs, starting on the 24th. The team finished fourth in the qualifying round (with the same record as the top three teams, but losing on tiebreakers) and automatically secured a spot in the quarterfinals. The opponent, however, will only be known after the Round of 16, between the teams ranked 5th to 12th.
"It will be a very tough competition, with top-level teams. We'll prepare well for the playoffs, but we also want to fight for the title," said coach Gonzalo Garcia.
Brasília and Peñarol are also in the group. The games on Saturday (April 08.04) and Sunday (April 09.04), at 19 p.m. and 21.04 p.m., will be decided based on the results of the first round. The final, between the top two teams from each group, will take place on April 21 in Brazil (if any Brazilian team qualifies).
Flamengo will be without two key players in the competition: forward/point guard Marcelinho, with a neck injury that is radiating to his right arm, remained in Rio for treatment for the playoffs. He even played the final games of the second half of the season with pain. Center Bábby is the other player missing. The player, who suffered a dislocated left shoulder in the match against Uberlândia on March 25.03, continues his treatment.
"Marcelinho and Bábby are missed by any team. On the other hand, other players will be able to spend more time on the court and show their worth. My responsibility increases, but I'll make the most of it," said power forward Jefferson, one of Rubro-Negro's weapons in the competition.
In addition to seeking another international title, Flamengo, the 2009 South American champion, will use the tournament to prepare for the NBB Playoffs, starting on the 24th. The team finished fourth in the qualifying round (with the same record as the top three teams, but losing on tiebreakers) and automatically secured a spot in the quarterfinals. The opponent, however, will only be known after the Round of 16, between the teams ranked 5th to 12th.
"It will be a very tough competition, with top-level teams. We'll prepare well for the playoffs, but we also want to fight for the title," said coach Gonzalo Garcia.