Marcelinho: "The game against Brasília is like a Fla-Flu"
Wing comments on basketball rivalry with defeated opponent in last two finals
By From the official website team with Flamengo basketball advice - in
Flamengo and Brasília have played in the last two finals of the Brazilian basketball championship. Flamengo came out on top both times – in 2008 and 2009. For point guard Marcelinho Machado, the biggest name in Flamengo's basketball, this history is just the ticket for this Sunday's game at 10 a.m. at the HSBC Arena.
"A huge rivalry has developed between these two teams in recent years. I think that, beyond the clashes and results, it's also due to the high investment both clubs have made in recent seasons and the players they have. It's definitely the biggest classic in Brazilian basketball today, a kind of Fla-Flu," said Marcelinho through Flamengo's press office.
The string of good results and the away win against another strong team, Pitágoras/Minas, boosts morale, according to the number 4. "We were a bit inconsistent at times, but the important thing was the win against a strong team that was also on a roll, a direct opponent, and away from home. This win will give us a lot of morale for tomorrow. It would have been better if we hadn't had extra time, as the game was very stressful, but that's okay. Five extra minutes won't make that much of a difference."
Coach Paulo Chupeta only regrets the absence of center Coloneze, who is expected to return to the court only in March after injuring his knee during the match against Bauru. "I think the pace of the games, the string of good performances, and the recovery of everyone on the squad have been important for the team's rise. It's a shame we lost Cascão [Coloneze's nickname] at this time of overcoming difficulties."
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Flamengo faces Brasilia at HSBC Arena
"A huge rivalry has developed between these two teams in recent years. I think that, beyond the clashes and results, it's also due to the high investment both clubs have made in recent seasons and the players they have. It's definitely the biggest classic in Brazilian basketball today, a kind of Fla-Flu," said Marcelinho through Flamengo's press office.
The string of good results and the away win against another strong team, Pitágoras/Minas, boosts morale, according to the number 4. "We were a bit inconsistent at times, but the important thing was the win against a strong team that was also on a roll, a direct opponent, and away from home. This win will give us a lot of morale for tomorrow. It would have been better if we hadn't had extra time, as the game was very stressful, but that's okay. Five extra minutes won't make that much of a difference."
Coach Paulo Chupeta only regrets the absence of center Coloneze, who is expected to return to the court only in March after injuring his knee during the match against Bauru. "I think the pace of the games, the string of good performances, and the recovery of everyone on the squad have been important for the team's rise. It's a shame we lost Cascão [Coloneze's nickname] at this time of overcoming difficulties."
read more:
Flamengo faces Brasilia at HSBC Arena