Flamengo's Under-19 basketball team won gold at the 2017 State Championship, this Wednesday (13). In a match played at the Hélio Maurício gymnasium, in Gávea, Rubro-Negro defeated Vasco by 84 to 62.

The Most Beloved opened up an advantage in the final series last Sunday (10), winning 57 to 52, at the opponent's home. After studying the first game, Rubro-Negro worked on the defense and achieved a more comfortable victory, with a 20-point difference on the scoreboard. 

Flamengo's coach, Paulo Chupeta, analyzed the match.

"The victory was built on our defensive system. We studied Vasco's offensive actions extensively and, with that, we managed to neutralize their offensive strategies, which are their strong point. Our first step was to stop their counter-attacks, to take the ball away from players who could potentially decide the game and create problems for our defense. The team displayed a very efficient collective performance, both defensively and offensively. We played as a unit and, with that, we achieved the victory," says the coach.

The team includes players who train and play for the senior team of Flamengo in the NBB (Brazilian National Basketball League), and they interact daily with more experienced athletes, such as captain Marcelinho.

"We had some standout players, like João Vitor, who plays with the senior team. This must have been his best game for the U-19 team to date. Point guard Joãozinho, Danilo, Assunção, the whole group, they closed ranks and understood the main goal of defending. In my opinion, offense starts with defense. We achieved a comfortable victory, demonstrating the strength of Flamengo's youth basketball program," concludes Chupeta. 

It was a double victory day at Gávea, with the Under-15 team winning the State Championship in their category in a match played just before, also against Vasco.