Flamengo begins fight for unprecedented title in the League of the Americas
Having never made it past the first stage of the competition, the team debuts against Quimsa (ARG), in Iabarra, Ecuador
By From the official website team - in
Flamengo begins its journey towards an unprecedented title in its history this Tuesday (11.01). The team debuts in the first phase of the Liga das Américas, against Quimsa (ARG), at 20 pm (Brasília time), at the Luiz Leoro Franco gym, in Ibarra, Ecuador. The Rubro-negro is in group C, which, in addition to the Argentines, also has Mavort (EQU) and Español (CHI).
A total of 16 teams, divided into four groups, are competing. Two teams from each group advance to the semifinals, and four will compete in the finals. Flamengo has never advanced beyond the first round of the tournament, considered the most important on the continent.
The Rio de Janeiro team's new coach, Argentine Gonzalo Garcia, knows his compatriots from Quimsa, their opening opponent, well.
In his second game in charge of the team – the first in international tournaments – Gonzalo believes that Tuesday's match (11.01) will be the most difficult of the group.
"Quimsa is a very good team. They have three tall, strong players (Gonzalo, Lo Gripo and Gomez) and a very strong defense as well. It will possibly be the most difficult game," said Gonzalo.
Quimsa crossed paths with Flamengo twice in 2010, both times in the South American League. In the first match, during the qualifying round, the Argentines, playing at home, prevailed. On that occasion, the Rio de Janeiro team played without Jefferson and Duda. In the final stage of the tournament, in Rio de Janeiro, Flamengo won in a semifinal match. Although cautious, Gonzalo stated that Flamengo's goal is to fight for the title.
"Of course we think about fighting for the title, but we have to think step by step and the immediate objective is to get past the first phase, something that has never happened with Flamengo," he said.
Flamengo has two doubts for Tuesday's match. Jefferson, who felt a strain in his right thigh during the NBB (New Basketball Brazil) match against Joinville on January 7th, will be evaluated shortly before the game. Center Wagner sprained his left knee during Monday morning's training session (January 10.01th) and will also undergo an evaluation.
HISTORICAL BRANDS
The match against Quimsa will be special for forward/point guard Marcelinho, who will reach 200 official appearances for Flamengo. The celebration of the milestone, however, will only take place upon the team's return to Brazil. Forward/center Jefferson, on the other hand, he could reach the significant milestone of 100 appearances for Flamengo. The celebration for this achievement was supposed to take place during the match against Joinville on the 7th, but he was rested.
TRAVEL MARATHON
Flamengo arrived in Ibarra, Ecuador, after more than 13 hours of travel. The team left Rio de Janeiro at 6:50 a.m. on Sunday (January 09.01) bound for Lima, Peru. After a 4-hour, 42-minute flight, the team boarded another plane to Quito, Ecuador, a trip that lasted just over two and a half hours. The players and coaching staff then faced another three-hour bus ride to Ibarra, the tournament venue, at around 2 p.m. (Brasília time). On Monday (January 30), the team held a technical and tactical training session in the morning and will watch a video session that evening.
FLAMENGO GAMES IN THE FIRST PHASE (Brasília time)
11.01 – Flamengo x Quimsa – 20pm
12.01 – Flamengo x Mavort – 23:15 pm
13.01 – Flamengo x Español – 21pm
WWW.fibaamericas.com will provide live match statistics.
A total of 16 teams, divided into four groups, are competing. Two teams from each group advance to the semifinals, and four will compete in the finals. Flamengo has never advanced beyond the first round of the tournament, considered the most important on the continent.
The Rio de Janeiro team's new coach, Argentine Gonzalo Garcia, knows his compatriots from Quimsa, their opening opponent, well.
In his second game in charge of the team – the first in international tournaments – Gonzalo believes that Tuesday's match (11.01) will be the most difficult of the group.
"Quimsa is a very good team. They have three tall, strong players (Gonzalo, Lo Gripo and Gomez) and a very strong defense as well. It will possibly be the most difficult game," said Gonzalo.
Quimsa crossed paths with Flamengo twice in 2010, both times in the South American League. In the first match, during the qualifying round, the Argentines, playing at home, prevailed. On that occasion, the Rio de Janeiro team played without Jefferson and Duda. In the final stage of the tournament, in Rio de Janeiro, Flamengo won in a semifinal match. Although cautious, Gonzalo stated that Flamengo's goal is to fight for the title.
"Of course we think about fighting for the title, but we have to think step by step and the immediate objective is to get past the first phase, something that has never happened with Flamengo," he said.
Flamengo has two doubts for Tuesday's match. Jefferson, who felt a strain in his right thigh during the NBB (New Basketball Brazil) match against Joinville on January 7th, will be evaluated shortly before the game. Center Wagner sprained his left knee during Monday morning's training session (January 10.01th) and will also undergo an evaluation.
HISTORICAL BRANDS
The match against Quimsa will be special for forward/point guard Marcelinho, who will reach 200 official appearances for Flamengo. The celebration of the milestone, however, will only take place upon the team's return to Brazil. Forward/center Jefferson, on the other hand, he could reach the significant milestone of 100 appearances for Flamengo. The celebration for this achievement was supposed to take place during the match against Joinville on the 7th, but he was rested.
TRAVEL MARATHON
Flamengo arrived in Ibarra, Ecuador, after more than 13 hours of travel. The team left Rio de Janeiro at 6:50 a.m. on Sunday (January 09.01) bound for Lima, Peru. After a 4-hour, 42-minute flight, the team boarded another plane to Quito, Ecuador, a trip that lasted just over two and a half hours. The players and coaching staff then faced another three-hour bus ride to Ibarra, the tournament venue, at around 2 p.m. (Brasília time). On Monday (January 30), the team held a technical and tactical training session in the morning and will watch a video session that evening.
FLAMENGO GAMES IN THE FIRST PHASE (Brasília time)
11.01 – Flamengo x Quimsa – 20pm
12.01 – Flamengo x Mavort – 23:15 pm
13.01 – Flamengo x Español – 21pm
WWW.fibaamericas.com will provide live match statistics.