A six-time champion in fact and in law
Chupeta celebrates sixth state title in six seasons leading the red-black basketball team
By From the official website team - in
Since taking over Flamengo's senior basketball team, coach Paulo Chupeta has never gone a year without a title. From 2005 to 2010, they won nine trophies, six of which were in the Campeonato Carioca. Many might argue that, in some years, Flamengo didn't have a worthy opponent. But regardless, the team always gave its all, respected its rivals, and appreciated each victory.
This year's is no different. Especially after a tough final series against Tijuca, which made the title even sweeter. Even facing a motivated, well-trained team battling enormous physical exhaustion this month, Chupeta's team went for the title—another one in this coach's tenure at the helm of the red-and-black basketball team.
Pleased with yet another title, the coach spoke with the official website team and couldn't hide his emotion as he recalled the beginning, the confidence everyone at Flamengo placed in his work back then, and 2005, when few believed it was possible to beat the powerful Telemar team. Chupeta praised the group, Marcelinho's leadership, and prayed to God for continued success in the red-and-black jersey.
Check out the full interview below:
Trajectory – My story here began in 2005. Pedro Ferrer was the director, the club was struggling financially, but we had a spot in the South American and the State Championships, so we needed to build a team. They wanted to bring in a coach from outside, from São Paulo, but he believed in me, told me I was a natural at the youth level, and took a chance on me. Then we achieved that spectacular victory against Telemar, and we had a very progressive growth in structure and team building.
Hexa - It's a record for me, of course it's a special achievement, and this whole streak was important. All the titles were unforgettable, but of course that first one, against Telemar, had a special flavor, because it was against a heavily favored team, just the way it was, exciting.
Patricia Amorim – Her arrival as vice president of Olympic sports gave basketball a huge boost, building a strong team in 2007, which was crowned with the signing of Marcelinho, who was the company's biggest star. It was a team built to win titles, and we won everything we competed in.
League of the Americas – Our main focus is the League. We've won every competition, and this is the only thing missing to crown the work of this group, which has been together for four years. It would be of great importance for the club as well, to gain international recognition. We need to focus now on new victories, new titles. Last year, we only won the State Championship, and we have the Liga das Américas and the NBB to look forward to in 2011.
John the Baptist – We started together with Emanuel Bonfim. I was the defensive assistant and he was more offensive. When I took over, I made a point of bringing him in. He's serious, studious, and always adds value. Our partnership has been very successful. He spends the night watching videos, talks to me, develops game strategies, and thank God, it's working.
Cast – The team's construction wasn't just about technique, but also about character. This was important. But you also have to be lucky, get the right people, and get results. Today, Flamengo is the team to beat in Brazil. They're a strong team with a strong fan base, and that makes all the difference.
Cheerleaders – Flamengo fans were previously away from the courts, but this group brought in basketball fans. Today, we have basketball-only fans, fans who understand basketball and have been following this work for four years. This participation is indeed important. They know when to support, when to lift the team, and the boys put on a show on the court for them. The fans are crucial.
Marcelinho – Marcelo is unique. He's Flamengo's captain, the national team's captain, even though he's a reserve. He's a great leader, a good speaker, who fights for the team's benefit. It's my habit to speak in pre-match talks and then open up later, and he always does. His international experience is incredibly important; he's grown tremendously, and when I say he's the company's biggest star, he deserves it. At his age, running the way he does, working the way he does, he deserves all the credit.
Paulo Pacifier’s Future – I ask God to continue to enlighten me and that I may always have the right attitudes, choices that work, and that I may be able to manage the group as long as He wants, with the right words and always striving for the best.
This year's is no different. Especially after a tough final series against Tijuca, which made the title even sweeter. Even facing a motivated, well-trained team battling enormous physical exhaustion this month, Chupeta's team went for the title—another one in this coach's tenure at the helm of the red-and-black basketball team.
Pleased with yet another title, the coach spoke with the official website team and couldn't hide his emotion as he recalled the beginning, the confidence everyone at Flamengo placed in his work back then, and 2005, when few believed it was possible to beat the powerful Telemar team. Chupeta praised the group, Marcelinho's leadership, and prayed to God for continued success in the red-and-black jersey.
Check out the full interview below:
Trajectory – My story here began in 2005. Pedro Ferrer was the director, the club was struggling financially, but we had a spot in the South American and the State Championships, so we needed to build a team. They wanted to bring in a coach from outside, from São Paulo, but he believed in me, told me I was a natural at the youth level, and took a chance on me. Then we achieved that spectacular victory against Telemar, and we had a very progressive growth in structure and team building.
Hexa - It's a record for me, of course it's a special achievement, and this whole streak was important. All the titles were unforgettable, but of course that first one, against Telemar, had a special flavor, because it was against a heavily favored team, just the way it was, exciting.
Patricia Amorim – Her arrival as vice president of Olympic sports gave basketball a huge boost, building a strong team in 2007, which was crowned with the signing of Marcelinho, who was the company's biggest star. It was a team built to win titles, and we won everything we competed in.
League of the Americas – Our main focus is the League. We've won every competition, and this is the only thing missing to crown the work of this group, which has been together for four years. It would be of great importance for the club as well, to gain international recognition. We need to focus now on new victories, new titles. Last year, we only won the State Championship, and we have the Liga das Américas and the NBB to look forward to in 2011.
John the Baptist – We started together with Emanuel Bonfim. I was the defensive assistant and he was more offensive. When I took over, I made a point of bringing him in. He's serious, studious, and always adds value. Our partnership has been very successful. He spends the night watching videos, talks to me, develops game strategies, and thank God, it's working.
Cast – The team's construction wasn't just about technique, but also about character. This was important. But you also have to be lucky, get the right people, and get results. Today, Flamengo is the team to beat in Brazil. They're a strong team with a strong fan base, and that makes all the difference.
Cheerleaders – Flamengo fans were previously away from the courts, but this group brought in basketball fans. Today, we have basketball-only fans, fans who understand basketball and have been following this work for four years. This participation is indeed important. They know when to support, when to lift the team, and the boys put on a show on the court for them. The fans are crucial.
Marcelinho – Marcelo is unique. He's Flamengo's captain, the national team's captain, even though he's a reserve. He's a great leader, a good speaker, who fights for the team's benefit. It's my habit to speak in pre-match talks and then open up later, and he always does. His international experience is incredibly important; he's grown tremendously, and when I say he's the company's biggest star, he deserves it. At his age, running the way he does, working the way he does, he deserves all the credit.
Paulo Pacifier’s Future – I ask God to continue to enlighten me and that I may always have the right attitudes, choices that work, and that I may be able to manage the group as long as He wants, with the right words and always striving for the best.