Marcelinho regrets below-expected performance
Flamengo's number 4 shirt, however, emphasizes that the team cannot dwell on defeat and is already planning a 2011 of victories.
By From the team at Flamengo's official website - in
The 2010 Flamengo basketball season didn't end the way Flamengo's players, coaching staff, and fans had hoped. The team was defeated by Brasília in game five of the Novo Basquete Brasil finals series, and lost its third national championship. Team captain Marcelinho scored just 16 points and lamented not having led Flamengo to another title.
Since arriving at Gávea in 2007, Marcelinho has been collecting individual titles and awards: he's a three-time Carioca champion, a two-time Brazilian champion, and a South American champion with Flamengo. And in every competition, he's been the top scorer and best player. This time, however, things were different. He didn't shine in the final, and he knows it, but he guarantees 2011 will be better.
"I'm used to being a decisive player, but today I know I fell short. I couldn't perform well. The whole team didn't play well, we ended up making a lot of mistakes, and Brasília deserved the title. Of course, the defeat leaves a bad taste in our mouth, but there's no time to dwell on it. Now it's time to rest, get our heads together, and start thinking about next season," he said.
For coach Paulo Chupeta, his team should acknowledge Brasília's merit. He says Flamengo had a lot of ups and downs, and that's why they weren't able to win.
"Heaven didn't want the ball to fall. It happens. In the three games we lost, we had the ball in our hands. Of course, not ideally. In this game, for example, Duda's shot was off balance. But Brasília deserved it. They deserved the victory. We had many ups and downs and ended up paying for it," he said.
Flamengo doesn't return to Rio until Monday. The team travels from Anápolis to Brasília later this Sunday and returns to the Marvelous City the following day. The players will be given vacation time and have no scheduled return date yet.
Since arriving at Gávea in 2007, Marcelinho has been collecting individual titles and awards: he's a three-time Carioca champion, a two-time Brazilian champion, and a South American champion with Flamengo. And in every competition, he's been the top scorer and best player. This time, however, things were different. He didn't shine in the final, and he knows it, but he guarantees 2011 will be better.
"I'm used to being a decisive player, but today I know I fell short. I couldn't perform well. The whole team didn't play well, we ended up making a lot of mistakes, and Brasília deserved the title. Of course, the defeat leaves a bad taste in our mouth, but there's no time to dwell on it. Now it's time to rest, get our heads together, and start thinking about next season," he said.
For coach Paulo Chupeta, his team should acknowledge Brasília's merit. He says Flamengo had a lot of ups and downs, and that's why they weren't able to win.
"Heaven didn't want the ball to fall. It happens. In the three games we lost, we had the ball in our hands. Of course, not ideally. In this game, for example, Duda's shot was off balance. But Brasília deserved it. They deserved the victory. We had many ups and downs and ended up paying for it," he said.
Flamengo doesn't return to Rio until Monday. The team travels from Anápolis to Brasília later this Sunday and returns to the Marvelous City the following day. The players will be given vacation time and have no scheduled return date yet.