Gonzalo Garcia leads first training session at Flamengo
Argentine coach sets goals and talks about the joy of leading the red-black team in 2011
By Media Relations - in
Argentine coach Gonzalo Garcia led his first training sessions with Flamengo's basketball team on Monday (03.01). The 43-year-old coach, who signed a six-month contract, arrived at the club to replace Paulo Chupeta, who was invited to coordinate the Flamengo's youth basketball teams.
Garcia won two Argentine League A titles with Gimnasia Y Esgrima La Plata and Libertad Sunchales. He was named coach of the year in the 2001/2002 season and led the under-21 national team to third place at the 2005 World Cup. Since 2006, he has been Sergio Hernandez's assistant coach on the Argentine national team, where he secured, among other titles, Olympic bronze at the 2008 Beijing Games and fifth place at the 2010 World Cup in Turkey. Garcia also led the Argentine national team at the 2007 Pan American Games in Rio.
On Tuesday afternoon, in an official presentation to the press at Tijuca Tênis Clube, the coach spoke about his goals and also about the joy of being able to command a team as successful as Flamengo.
"It's a great pleasure to be able to coach a team like Flamengo, one of the best in the Americas. I'll try to bring a touch of Argentine style to the group, controlling the offensive system and strengthening the defense," Garcia revealed. "I think everyone will notice something different in the first few weeks," promised the coach, who was applauded by all the players at the end of training.
Gonzalo Garcia's name was suggested by fellow Argentine Carlo Duro, coach of Los Indios (ARG), reinforced by the coach of the Argentine national team, Sergio Hernandez.
The new coach's first challenge will be this Friday (07.01), against Joinville, at 20pm, at Tijuca Tênis Clube, for the NBB. On Sunday (09.01), the team will travel to Ibarra, Ecuador, for the first phase of the League of the Americas.
"Our goal is to keep the team at the forefront of the NBB and qualify for the second phase of the Liga das Américas (at the end of February)," said Garcia.
Garcia won two Argentine League A titles with Gimnasia Y Esgrima La Plata and Libertad Sunchales. He was named coach of the year in the 2001/2002 season and led the under-21 national team to third place at the 2005 World Cup. Since 2006, he has been Sergio Hernandez's assistant coach on the Argentine national team, where he secured, among other titles, Olympic bronze at the 2008 Beijing Games and fifth place at the 2010 World Cup in Turkey. Garcia also led the Argentine national team at the 2007 Pan American Games in Rio.
On Tuesday afternoon, in an official presentation to the press at Tijuca Tênis Clube, the coach spoke about his goals and also about the joy of being able to command a team as successful as Flamengo.
"It's a great pleasure to be able to coach a team like Flamengo, one of the best in the Americas. I'll try to bring a touch of Argentine style to the group, controlling the offensive system and strengthening the defense," Garcia revealed. "I think everyone will notice something different in the first few weeks," promised the coach, who was applauded by all the players at the end of training.
Gonzalo Garcia's name was suggested by fellow Argentine Carlo Duro, coach of Los Indios (ARG), reinforced by the coach of the Argentine national team, Sergio Hernandez.
The new coach's first challenge will be this Friday (07.01), against Joinville, at 20pm, at Tijuca Tênis Clube, for the NBB. On Sunday (09.01), the team will travel to Ibarra, Ecuador, for the first phase of the League of the Americas.
"Our goal is to keep the team at the forefront of the NBB and qualify for the second phase of the Liga das Américas (at the end of February)," said Garcia.