Players ask for peace and encouragement for the red-blacks
Needing a win to take the NBB final to a fifth game, Flamengo wants a full HSBC Arena
By From the team at Flamengo's official website - in
The National Basketball League (LNB) announced this Wednesday (02.06) that the fifth and decisive match of the Novo Basquete Brasil finals will be held in Anápolis, Goiás, next Sunday (06.06), at the Newton de Faria International Gymnasium. However, the only decision that really matters to the red-and-black players, at the moment, is this Thursday (03.06), in the fourth match of the best-of-five series against Universo/Brasília, at 16 pm, at the HSBC Arena. After all, with a 2-1 disadvantage, only a positive result keeps coach Paulo Chupeta's team in the fight for the third national championship.
Just as the repercussions of the LNB decision only lasted until after the fourth game in Rio, the apathy following the one-point defeat and the negative memories of the widespread brawl at the Nilson Nelson Gymnasium are already a thing of the past. The determination and optimism in Gávea is so great that the word "revenge" doesn't even enter the discourse of the red-and-black players. For the current two-time Brazilian champions, the only place to get revenge on their opponents is on the court, playing basketball and postponing the final until next Sunday.
"I learned at home that revenge and revenge lead nowhere. Flamengo needs to throw a big party here and just think about playing basketball. The game has to be decided by the ball and may the best team win. I hope it's Flamengo. What happened there had nothing to do with the Brasília players, who were not disloyal to us at any point. What we can't have is a shift in responsibility. There was no security and the court was full of people, when the rules say that only authorized people who are part of the show can enter," explained Marcelinho, referring to the six Flamengo teammates who were charged and will be tried for the confusion this Friday (04.06), in São Paulo.
The Flamengo captain also said it's time for Flamengo fans to show their strength and pressure their opponents, but without resorting to violence and setting an example of behavior. If this is the mindset on the court, it's the same off-court intention of the Rio de Janeiro club's executives and those responsible for the HSBC Arena. Therefore, the security system has been beefed up. In total, there will be 150 security guards at the Arena, who will also be reinforced by 50 officers from the GEPE (Special Stadium Policing Group) and 20 officers from the 31st Military Police Battalion.
With four stitches on his left eyebrow, the result of a full can thrown by a fan who was in the stands at the Nílson Nelson gymnasium, center Wagner guarantees that the sad episode that occurred in Brasília is now behind him, and that the only intention of the Flamengo players is to win the match on the court and take the decision to the fifth game, in Goiânia.
"No one here is going to dwell on what happened in Brasília. I didn't attack anyone, but unfortunately, I was hit by a full beer can and I have a black eye. But that's in the past and there's no going back. We have a finals-like atmosphere, yes, but we're just thinking about playing basketball, winning this game, and securing our third championship title in the next game," said the center.
Just as the repercussions of the LNB decision only lasted until after the fourth game in Rio, the apathy following the one-point defeat and the negative memories of the widespread brawl at the Nilson Nelson Gymnasium are already a thing of the past. The determination and optimism in Gávea is so great that the word "revenge" doesn't even enter the discourse of the red-and-black players. For the current two-time Brazilian champions, the only place to get revenge on their opponents is on the court, playing basketball and postponing the final until next Sunday.
"I learned at home that revenge and revenge lead nowhere. Flamengo needs to throw a big party here and just think about playing basketball. The game has to be decided by the ball and may the best team win. I hope it's Flamengo. What happened there had nothing to do with the Brasília players, who were not disloyal to us at any point. What we can't have is a shift in responsibility. There was no security and the court was full of people, when the rules say that only authorized people who are part of the show can enter," explained Marcelinho, referring to the six Flamengo teammates who were charged and will be tried for the confusion this Friday (04.06), in São Paulo.
The Flamengo captain also said it's time for Flamengo fans to show their strength and pressure their opponents, but without resorting to violence and setting an example of behavior. If this is the mindset on the court, it's the same off-court intention of the Rio de Janeiro club's executives and those responsible for the HSBC Arena. Therefore, the security system has been beefed up. In total, there will be 150 security guards at the Arena, who will also be reinforced by 50 officers from the GEPE (Special Stadium Policing Group) and 20 officers from the 31st Military Police Battalion.
With four stitches on his left eyebrow, the result of a full can thrown by a fan who was in the stands at the Nílson Nelson gymnasium, center Wagner guarantees that the sad episode that occurred in Brasília is now behind him, and that the only intention of the Flamengo players is to win the match on the court and take the decision to the fifth game, in Goiânia.
"No one here is going to dwell on what happened in Brasília. I didn't attack anyone, but unfortunately, I was hit by a full beer can and I have a black eye. But that's in the past and there's no going back. We have a finals-like atmosphere, yes, but we're just thinking about playing basketball, winning this game, and securing our third championship title in the next game," said the center.