By Vinicius Castro -
A vibrant team, with grit, passion for the jersey, and a connection with the fans. This might be the perfect definition for Flamengo's basketball team.
Dedicated players who received full support from the club's board of directors and especially from the vice president of Olympic sports, Patrícia Amorim.
During the champions' arrival yesterday at Rio de Janeiro International Airport, FLAMENGO RJ's reporting team gathered the season's three main highlights for an inspiring and celebratory chat.
Marcelinho, Duda and coach Paulo Chupeta were our guests.
While the Charanga Rubro-Negra played in the arrivals hall, the conversation continued and key points of the campaign were discussed.
Coach Paulo Chupeta said he felt the team would be champions during the campaign:
- In the first game in Brasília, still in the qualifying phase, we were losing by five points with 20 seconds left in the game. We came back and won. There I felt it and said to myself: This team has the look of a champion - revealed the coach.
Duda revealed that the goal was to win the Brazilian Championship since the beginning of the season:
"The team was prepared for this. We knew we had what it took all season. The path to the title is very difficult. We believed from the start of the Campeonato Carioca until the end of the Brasileirão. Thank God, we won both competitions," revealed a euphoric Duda.
Marcelinho was highly praised by critics, and some even commented that the player had delivered the greatest performance of his career. Marcelinho analyzed the opinion:
"It was one of the most important performances of my career. Winning a national title with Flamengo is something else. I have no words. It's bigger than a Pan American medal. It's the biggest title of my career. The fans supported me throughout the entire championship, and we owe a lot to this nation. That's what Flamengo is all about," Marcelinho declared.
The Champions constantly mention the fans in their statements and explain why:
"Basketball is much more exciting. Soccer often has just one goal, and that's it. In basketball, we have three-pointers, dunks, and assists. This leaves the fans euphoric and glued to the team," Duda explained.
"Basketball is very dynamic. There are many good and bad moments in the same game. Besides, we have a guy who pulls the fans to our side, which is Duda. Our fans are the sixth player on this team," added Paulo Chupeta.
Known as a spiritual and religious guy, Chupeta shared the nature of his faith:
- I seek my strength in religion. This contact with God is very important. I exercise self-control and ask Him to enlighten me - revealed an emotional coach.
Regarding the future of the basketball team, Chupeta and Marcelinho tried to reassure the\ Nação Rubro-Negra:\
- Flamengo will continue. The idea is to renew the entire group and, if possible, bring in some reinforcements. That's up to the board now - assured Paulo Chupeta.
- Patrícia is a big supporter of basketball, and the team will continue. As long as she's in charge, Flamengo will be strong and competitive in the sport - Marcelinho concluded.
After the chat, the Champions proceeded to the parade in an open-top car to Gávea. The players were greeted along the entire route. Tonight, the squad will participate in a get-together at a steakhouse in Rio de Janeiro's South Zone.
For basketball fans, all that remains is to remember this team fondly and wait for the start of the State Championship in the second half of the year.
Congratulations Flamengo Basketball! You are true Champions!
Vinicius Castro is a reporter for the FLAMENGO RJ website and writes about Flamengo's day-to-day activities on the Repórter Flamengo Blog.