Another chapter in the history of Flamengo and Brasília
Brazilian basketball's biggest rivalry returns to the court this Sunday, at 12 pm, in the federal capital
By From the team at Flamengo's official website - in
In soccer, it's Flamengo and Vasco. In volleyball, it can be compared to Rio de Janeiro and Osasco. Such is the rivalry between Flamengo and Brasília on the basketball courts. This Sunday, the rivals will meet again at the Nilson Nelson Gymnasium in the capital. At 12 p.m., the teams will face off for the lead in the qualifying round of the Novo Basquete Brasil.
The home team is in first place, with the Rio team close behind. Whoever comes out on top in this weekend's match qualifies for the playoffs with first place.
"The task is practically accomplished. We secured second place, and now we'll decide there. This final stretch is very important, and securing the fifth game of a possible final in Rio is very important," said winger Jefferson.
The inspiration for this positive result comes from last season. In 2009, Flamengo also lost to Brasília at home, but turned things around in Rio de Janeiro, securing first place and winning the national title.
"There's one last step left. We've reached a place that seemed impossible, because Brasília had a three-game lead, but we managed to close the gap and now it's up to us to repeat what we did last year. They beat us here, we beat them there and qualified first. Hopefully we can repeat that," explained coach Paulo Chupeta.
For Marcelinho Machado, the Gávea team is setting its best pace in this final stretch of the NBB, and if it keeps up the growth, it has a great chance of winning its third Brazilian championship.
"We know we started the season poorly, especially due to the many absences we had, but now the team is finding its feet. Chupeta has almost everyone 100% available, and we're growing at the right time. Now it's time to go all out to Brasília to fight for that first place," he added.
The home team is in first place, with the Rio team close behind. Whoever comes out on top in this weekend's match qualifies for the playoffs with first place.
"The task is practically accomplished. We secured second place, and now we'll decide there. This final stretch is very important, and securing the fifth game of a possible final in Rio is very important," said winger Jefferson.
The inspiration for this positive result comes from last season. In 2009, Flamengo also lost to Brasília at home, but turned things around in Rio de Janeiro, securing first place and winning the national title.
"There's one last step left. We've reached a place that seemed impossible, because Brasília had a three-game lead, but we managed to close the gap and now it's up to us to repeat what we did last year. They beat us here, we beat them there and qualified first. Hopefully we can repeat that," explained coach Paulo Chupeta.
For Marcelinho Machado, the Gávea team is setting its best pace in this final stretch of the NBB, and if it keeps up the growth, it has a great chance of winning its third Brazilian championship.
"We know we started the season poorly, especially due to the many absences we had, but now the team is finding its feet. Chupeta has almost everyone 100% available, and we're growing at the right time. Now it's time to go all out to Brasília to fight for that first place," he added.