A chess match. That's how the match between Flamengo and Limeira this Saturday (May 09.05th) could be defined, valid for the semifinals of the Novo Basquete Brasil 7 (NBB). With two highly technical teams, it was possible to see a ball-to-ball confrontation at Ginásio Vô Lucato, where a solid defense was always the foundation of the team that was ahead on the scoreboard. With great determination and authority, the Mais Querido came out on top in the best-of-five series of the semifinals.

In a game in which the entire team took turns with great performances, the strength of the red-black squad was once again the reason for an important victory, 85 to 78. Flamengo returns to the Limeira gym this Monday (11.05) for the second game of the series. If they win another one, Rubro-Negro will be one victory away from qualifying for the NBB finals.

The next match between Flamengo and Limeira will be broadcast live on SporTV on Monday (May 11.05) at 19 p.m. On Thursday (May 14.05), at Tijuca Tênis Clube, the two teams will face off again for the third game of the series. If you haven't yet secured your ticket to fill the Pride of the Nation's home, buy now. Tickets are already on sale on the website. Guicheweb e member-fan has a 50% discount. If you are not yet a member of Red-Black Nation, click here and help Flamengo to become stronger and stronger.

Driven by the strength of their home crowd, Limeira came out more focused and quickly opened up a gap on the scoreboard, leaving FlaBasquete unable to break through the São Paulo team's defense. With that, the home team went up five to zero, a lead that held until the end of the quarter. Even with Benite and Nicolas Laprovittola showing well, Limeira closed the quarter at 20 to 14.

Realizing the need for a change in the Flamengo's rhythm, José Neto changed the starting lineup. The introductions of Herrmann, Marcelinho, and Felício brought new energy to the Orgulho da Nação, who not only began to attack more effectively but also saw their defense shift to zone play and pressure, leaving little space for the São Paulo team to play. After Flamengo took a 7-0 lead, Limeira still tried to recover in a quarter full of brilliant plays, but the Mais Querido emerged victorious, 24-21.

After halftime, both teams seemed to have come back with even more determination to emerge victorious, but in the third period, it was the home team's turn to take the lead and open up a gap on the scoreboard. FlaBasquete was defending well, but Limeira's three-pointers fell easily, resulting in a seven-point advantage in favor of the São Paulo team for most of the quarter. Despite this, at the end of the period, Marquinhos and Laprovittola tactically organized the Rubro-Negro, which narrowed the lead and tied the score at 18-18.

With Limeira three points ahead in the partial score, Flamengo came out swinging early in the final quarter. With relative ease, Flamengo once again saw the strength of its squad become its key differentiator. Besides opening up an 11-point lead, the Pride of the Nation showed great confidence in Herrmann's three-pointers. But, on the other side, Limeira seemed unwilling to throw in the towel. With Laprovittola receiving four fouls and Herrmann exceeding the five-point limit and being out of the game, the red-and-black team began to be heavily pressured on its own half. That's when Flamengo's technical quality spoke out once again. In a great quarter from Benite, and demonstrating all its champion credentials, Flamengo closed out the game 85-78, opening the semifinals series with an important away victory.  

Partials:
1st Quarter: 14 to 20
2st Quarter: 24 to 21
3st Quarter: 18 to 18
4st Quarter: 29 to 19
Total score: 85 to 78

Basket: Laprovittola (21)
Rebounds: Little Olive (6)
Assists: Laprovittola (6)