Flamengo and Brasília fight for the NBB title for the third year in a row
Rubro-negro beat their opponent from the Federal District in previous years, but arrives at the final without an 'advantage'
By press office - in
For the third consecutive season, Flamengo and Universo/Brasília will face off in the final of the national basketball championship. While in the two previous editions—one for the last tournament organized by the Brazilian Basketball Confederation (CBB) and the other for the Novo Basquete Brasil—Flamengo had the home court advantage and ended up winning the title for the second time, this time the home court is held by the team from the Federal District. However, the odds between Lula Ferreira and Paulo Chupeta's teams are so evenly matched that everyone at Gávea believes psychology could decide the best-of-five series.
One of the remaining players from Flamengo's two triumphs, Hélio knows that a home win in the first leg could shift the responsibility and pressure onto the other team, as happened in the semifinal against Franca. The Flamengo point guard also believes that Brasília's advantage of playing the fifth game, if necessary at the Nilson Nelson gymnasium, will further unite the Rio de Janeiro team.
"Of course it's a positive point for them, but I don't believe this advantage is decisive. Mainly because they are two very similar teams who know each other very well. But the fact that we are at a disadvantage will certainly increase our focus," said the Flamengo player, who goes beyond counting on recent record as an ally in the decision.
"The fact that we beat them in the last two finals certainly weighs in our favor psychologically. We have to use that during the series to put the pressure on them. That's why a win in the first game is crucial for us to fight for our third title," concluded Hélio.
Paulo Chupeta shares his point guard's opinion. For the Flamengo manager, playing the first match at home could be an advantage, provided Flamengo secures a positive result. Aware that his opponent has the physical advantage, Chupeta urges his players to be patient and intelligent.
"They have Estevam, Mineiro, Márcio Cipriano, and Alex, who are very physically strong athletes. They'll come at us hard to try to capitalize on our mistakes. Therefore, it's up to us to be patient and play intelligently. We have to control possession, attack consciously, and avoid hasty shots," warned the coach.
The team continues training in Rio de Janeiro for the first match of the series, which will be played on Saturday, the 22nd, at 16 pm, at the HSBC Arena.
Ticket sales
Tickets for the final between Flamengo and Brasília will go on sale this Wednesday (May 19.05) at Gávea, Maracanã, and the HSBC Arena. Check out the ticket sales points and prices below:
Selling points
Maracanã Stadium (Ticket Office 8): Eurico Rabelo Street, S/N - Maracanã
Flamengo Regatta Club: Borges de Medeiros Avenue, 997 - Gávea
Fluminense Headquarters: Alvaro Chaves Street, 41 - Laranjeiras
Saint Christopher (Countryside): Figueira de Melo Street, 200 - Saint Christopher
Vasco Headquarters: General Almerio de Moura Street, 131 - São Januário
HSBC Arena - Ambassador Arbelado Bueno Avenue, 3401 Barra da Tijuca
Tijuca Tennis Club - Conde de Bonfim Street, nº 451;
Cruzmaltina Nation Store - São João Street, No. 34, store 114 - Downtown Niteroi
ticket price
Box office: R$40,00 / R$20,00 half price
Level 1 Chair: R$30,00 / R$15,00 half price (Green Sector)
Level 3 Chair: R$20,00 / R$10,00 half price (Blue Sector)
VIP Area Chair: R$50,00 / R$25,00 half (Red Sector)
Premier Track Chair: R$80,00 / R$40,00 half price (Blue Chair)
*Points of sale will be open from 9am to 17pm
One of the remaining players from Flamengo's two triumphs, Hélio knows that a home win in the first leg could shift the responsibility and pressure onto the other team, as happened in the semifinal against Franca. The Flamengo point guard also believes that Brasília's advantage of playing the fifth game, if necessary at the Nilson Nelson gymnasium, will further unite the Rio de Janeiro team.
"Of course it's a positive point for them, but I don't believe this advantage is decisive. Mainly because they are two very similar teams who know each other very well. But the fact that we are at a disadvantage will certainly increase our focus," said the Flamengo player, who goes beyond counting on recent record as an ally in the decision.
"The fact that we beat them in the last two finals certainly weighs in our favor psychologically. We have to use that during the series to put the pressure on them. That's why a win in the first game is crucial for us to fight for our third title," concluded Hélio.
Paulo Chupeta shares his point guard's opinion. For the Flamengo manager, playing the first match at home could be an advantage, provided Flamengo secures a positive result. Aware that his opponent has the physical advantage, Chupeta urges his players to be patient and intelligent.
"They have Estevam, Mineiro, Márcio Cipriano, and Alex, who are very physically strong athletes. They'll come at us hard to try to capitalize on our mistakes. Therefore, it's up to us to be patient and play intelligently. We have to control possession, attack consciously, and avoid hasty shots," warned the coach.
The team continues training in Rio de Janeiro for the first match of the series, which will be played on Saturday, the 22nd, at 16 pm, at the HSBC Arena.
Ticket sales
Tickets for the final between Flamengo and Brasília will go on sale this Wednesday (May 19.05) at Gávea, Maracanã, and the HSBC Arena. Check out the ticket sales points and prices below:
Selling points
Maracanã Stadium (Ticket Office 8): Eurico Rabelo Street, S/N - Maracanã
Flamengo Regatta Club: Borges de Medeiros Avenue, 997 - Gávea
Fluminense Headquarters: Alvaro Chaves Street, 41 - Laranjeiras
Saint Christopher (Countryside): Figueira de Melo Street, 200 - Saint Christopher
Vasco Headquarters: General Almerio de Moura Street, 131 - São Januário
HSBC Arena - Ambassador Arbelado Bueno Avenue, 3401 Barra da Tijuca
Tijuca Tennis Club - Conde de Bonfim Street, nº 451;
Cruzmaltina Nation Store - São João Street, No. 34, store 114 - Downtown Niteroi
ticket price
Box office: R$40,00 / R$20,00 half price
Level 1 Chair: R$30,00 / R$15,00 half price (Green Sector)
Level 3 Chair: R$20,00 / R$10,00 half price (Blue Sector)
VIP Area Chair: R$50,00 / R$25,00 half (Red Sector)
Premier Track Chair: R$80,00 / R$40,00 half price (Blue Chair)
*Points of sale will be open from 9am to 17pm