Next Friday (September 26.09), Flamengo takes to the court to make history: the team will play the first game of the Intercontinental Cup final, a first-ever competition for the club. The grand final will be on Sunday (September 28.09), both matches against the strong Maccabi Tel Aviv team, Euroleague champions. For Flamengo center Jerome Meyinsse, the match will also be the stage for a reunion with his former teammate, American wing Sylven Landesberg. The athletes played together at the University of Virginia in the 2009/2010 season.

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Jerome has already spoken with Landesberg and intends to meet him to catch up, but he assures that things will be different on the court: "When we enter the Arena, we're no longer friends (laughs)." The American, who previously played in Argentina and will now face the European style of basketball, believes that speed could be the way to overcome Maccabi.

Landesberg and I are friends, we've been in touch on Twitter, and he told me when he arrives in Brazil. We should have dinner, meet up before the game. We'll be able to talk, but once we get into the Arena, we're no longer friends (laughs). He was a good player in college and is definitely better now, after four years of experience. He uses both hands, is a good shooter, a great athlete. He'll give our team a hard time.

I think we have to run, play fast against them. Maccabi is a great team, so our advantage is playing fast and transitioning well. I've watched their games, and we've already started talking about them, the players, their characteristics, and their style. We have a little more time to prepare, and it will be a tough game.

These friendlies (Saturday at 18 p.m. and Sunday at noon at the Gávea gymnasium) are crucial for us, getting back to the rhythm we had last year and including Herrmann in our game. It will be crucial for our preparation.

I'm happy. When I arrived here, I was trying to win everything, have a good season with Flamengo, and it was wonderful. This year we have even more ahead of us, a lot of work. We'll play hard.