At the start of the best-of-five semifinal series, Flamengo was not intimidated in Limeira and opened a 2-0 lead, needing only a home win on Thursday night (14.05) to guarantee a place in the final of the seventh edition of the Novo Basquete Brasil (NBB). With the Tijuca Tênis Clube packed and the determination of José Neto's team, the result could not have been different: the Mais Querido defeated Limeira, 76-67, after a very close game, and secured the classification to continue in the search for the fourth national championship.

The NBB 7 finals begin next Tuesday (26.05) and will be decided in a best-of-three series in two more games on the following Saturdays (30.05 and 06.06). Flamengo's opponent will be the winner of the match between Bauru and Mogi das Cruzes, who are tied at 1-1.

The first quarter was fiercely contested. Limeira gave Nezinho and Jackson a hard time, and Flamengo struggled to impose their style. Their opponents opened up a six-point lead (14-8) midway through the quarter, but through grit and steals, Flamengo recovered and chased the score, counting on a stellar performance from Olivinha, who had a 100% shooting percentage (nine points). The power forward rekindled the crowd, which was making a deafening noise at the Tijuca Tênis Clube with three minutes remaining in the quarter. Flamengo even took the lead a few times, but the quarter ended tied at 21-21.

The game remained evenly matched in the second quarter, until midway through the fourth, when Limeira opened up a four-point lead (31-27). Flamengo managed to equalize at times, but the team from the interior of São Paulo held on to the lead, albeit by a few points. The teams went into halftime with their opponents leading 40-35.

The third quarter wasn't easy for Flamengo, but the fans in the stands continued to cheer. Limeira took a 46-37 lead, but a dunk by Meyinsse midway through the quarter galvanized the red-and-blacks, sparking a comeback that also included a three-pointer by Herrmann, putting Flamengo four points behind their opponents (42-46). But Limeira's three-pointers were falling, and Ramon, from the Dominican national team, gave the red-and-black defense plenty of trouble. The quarter ended evenly, and the team from the interior of São Paulo led 60-54 overall at the start of the final quarter.

In the opening minutes, Marcelinho hit a long-range shot for two points, setting the stands ablaze, leaving Flamengo more alive than ever in the match: 60-62. Marcelinho's three-pointer again narrowed the deficit to one point, and the crowd roared non-stop, but it was young Cristiano Felício who turned the score around for the Pride of the Nation (65-64) and got the fans off their feet. Another three-pointer from Marcelinho (68-64) prompted the Limeira coach to call a timeout, while the two thousand passionate Flamengo fans who filled the gym chanted the number 4's name. The opponent's balls stopped falling, while all of Flamengo's fell. The victory and qualification were secured with a 76-67 score, and the fans ended the match singing the club anthem in unison, putting on a beautiful celebration.

Partials:
1st bedroom: Flamengo 21 x 21 Limeira
2st bedroom: Flamengo 14 x 19 Limeira
3st bedroom: Flamengo 19 x 20 Limeira
4st bedroom: Flamengo 22 x 7 Limeira

Final score: 76 to 67

Match Highlights: