Flamengo got off to a flying start in the U-15 and 19 State Basketball Championship finals. Playing at São Januário last Sunday (10), the U-15 team led by coach Fernandinho beat Vasco da Gama 58-55 and opened up a 1-0 lead in the decisive series. In the U-19 competition, Rubro-Negro also started strong. On Monday (11) at their opponent's home ground, Flamengo won 57-52 and also needs just one victory to claim the title.
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Paulo Chupeta, coach of the U-19 team, spoke about the first match of the final series.
"It was a tough, very close game, where there's a rivalry between Flamengo and Vasco. Vasco put together a team to try to break our dominance, after all, we're already fighting for our third consecutive title. It was a tough game, where our defense worked well, but our offense wasn't producing. In the fourth quarter, we managed to apply pressure throughout the court and take the lead," he said.
Chupeta also called on the fans and planned the second match.
"I hope the fans turn out so we can decide both titles tomorrow here at Gávea. The opponent is strong, with tradition, but we have every chance of winning the title. The team is focused, and we need to capitalize on our strengths," concluded the coach.
Fernando Pereira, known as Fernandinho, coach of the U-15s, analyzed the first match of the category's final.
"We knew the first leg would be very difficult. In both qualifying matches, the matches were decided by just one possession. Our team performed very well, even playing at our opponent's home ground. We executed the game plan, which allowed us to come back with a lead of more than 15 points. Vasco managed to react, and the boys were calm and composed enough to win the game," analyzed Fernandinho.
And he closed by talking about expectations for the second game, in Gávea.
"The expectation is for a very tense, tense game, with a great battle. For Vasco, it's all or nothing, so I believe it will be a very close match. I have a lot of confidence in the boys and believe they are well prepared. I hope we can fix what we need to to close out this match at home," concluded the coach.
Paulo Chupeta, coach of the U-19 team, spoke about the first match of the final series.
"It was a tough, very close game, where there's a rivalry between Flamengo and Vasco. Vasco put together a team to try to break our dominance, after all, we're already fighting for our third consecutive title. It was a tough game, where our defense worked well, but our offense wasn't producing. In the fourth quarter, we managed to apply pressure throughout the court and take the lead," he said.
Chupeta also called on the fans and planned the second match.
"I hope the fans turn out so we can decide both titles tomorrow here at Gávea. The opponent is strong, with tradition, but we have every chance of winning the title. The team is focused, and we need to capitalize on our strengths," concluded the coach.
Fernando Pereira, known as Fernandinho, coach of the U-15s, analyzed the first match of the category's final.
"We knew the first leg would be very difficult. In both qualifying matches, the matches were decided by just one possession. Our team performed very well, even playing at our opponent's home ground. We executed the game plan, which allowed us to come back with a lead of more than 15 points. Vasco managed to react, and the boys were calm and composed enough to win the game," analyzed Fernandinho.
And he closed by talking about expectations for the second game, in Gávea.
"The expectation is for a very tense, tense game, with a great battle. For Vasco, it's all or nothing, so I believe it will be a very close match. I have a lot of confidence in the boys and believe they are well prepared. I hope we can fix what we need to to close out this match at home," concluded the coach.
The next final games, both for the U-15 and U-19, will be held next Wednesday (13), in Gávea.
The basketball teams of Clube de Regatas do Flamengo rely on resources from their sponsors – Estácio, AmBev, Rede D'or, IRB Brasil RE, CSN, Brasil Plural, EY – via the Federal Incentive Law/Ministry of Sports (IR) and State Incentive Law/State Secretariat of Sports, Leisure and Youth (Seelje) of Rio de Janeiro, in addition to support from the Brazilian Committee of Clubs (CBC) resulting from the decentralization of resources originating from the Pelé Law.