After beating Vila Velha in their NBB debut last Saturday (11/24) in Vila Velha, Flamengo arrived in São Paulo this Sunday (11/25) to play in the second phase of the South American League. The team debuts on Tuesday (11/27) against Brasília, at 8 pm, at the Pinheiros gym. The following day (11/28), Rubro-negro faces the home team, at 10:10 pm, and, on Thursday (11/29), they face Tiburones de Vargas (VEN), at 8 pm. 

 

The top two teams in the group will join Argentina's Regatas Corrientes and Peñarol in the final quadrangular, from December 4th to 6th, with the location yet to be determined. 

 

Team captain Marcelinho Machado returned to Rio de Janeiro for tests on his right knee. The player was injured in the second quarter of the opening match. He was taken to the hospital in Vila Velha for examination and had his knee immobilized. 

In the coming days, Marcelinho will undergo an MRI scan to obtain a more accurate diagnosis of the injury, his recovery schedule, and the length of treatment. Coach José Neto expressed his regret over the incident.

 "It was a fatality, a shame, because Marcelinho was in a very good moment, well prepared physically and performing very well as a leader in this team that has now been restructured. He is a player that any team misses, and for ours, he will do much more," said coach José Neto. 

"It's still too early to make any predictions or assess the team's needs, as we don't yet have an accurate diagnosis of the injury. Now we'll organize the team with the players we have and, later, we'll see if a replacement is necessary. We'll remain focused on the South American League. The team is very well prepared," he added.