The Globe
Flamengo is the three-time state basketball champion
Rubro-negro defeats Vasco again and closes the final series, with 75 to 73
ALÍRIO GOES UP to score two more points for Flamengo, champions at Maracanãzinho
William Helal Jr.
It wasn't as easy as the day before, but Flamengo defeated Vasco for the second time in two days and won its third men's state basketball championship. Paulo Chupeta's team, which had soundly defeated its rival 92-74 on Wednesday, fought until the last second yesterday to secure its victory. After a thrilling match, Flamengo secured a 75-73 victory.
"I've been watching Zico play for Flamengo since I was a kid, and now I feel this emotion. Flamengo is about race, love, and passion," Marcelinho enthused.
Highlight and top scorer of the final, with 30 points, six rebounds and three assists, Hélio shared the credits:
"Being the top scorer in a game is a consequence. I prefer to assist, to see the team play well. The important thing is that, every day, we get stronger."
Commander in the three victories, Paulo Chupeta was showered by the players at the end and spoke about his calm demeanor on the sidelines.
- I practice self-control and that gives me great peace of mind. I try to pass this on to the athletes - he stated.
Vasco leads by eight points at the start, but suffers a blackout and lets Fla turn it around
Vasco came out with more determination, scoring under pressure and with calibrated accuracy. So much so that they opened up an eight-point lead without Flamengo scoring a single basket. But what seemed like the beginning of a comeback turned into another blackout. Vasco's error after error, which stalled on the scoreboard, Paulo Chupeta's team managed to take the lead with 5:50 remaining.
From then on, Flamengo began to open up a 15-9 lead, thanks to two successful free throws. Vasco was already repeating the nervousness of the first game, rushing the paint and wasting attacks. On a shot by Hélio, Flamengo closed the first quarter with a 25-15 lead.
The red-and-black team even tried to repeat the previous day's strategy, taking advantage of their opponent's tension, starting in the second quarter. But this time, Vasco improved their attack and got back in front. Hélio's star shined then. With five three-pointers, he kept the red-and-black team ahead in the first half, winning 42-38.
Things heated up as they headed to the locker room. In the hallway leading to the two teams, Marcelinho clashed with Vasco's doctor, Igor Guimarães. The two exchanged shoves, and Guimarães even called the player a "thug."
Vasco came back from the break in full force and turned the game around in the first minute with a three-pointer from Márcio Cipriano. However, they couldn't hold the lead for long. Marcelinho, on one side, and Rossi, on the other, kept the game even. More consistent, Flamengo managed to finish the third period with a 63-59 lead.
Wagner opened the decisive quarter with a dunk, thrilling the crowd and leading by six points. Shortly after, the center was sent off with five fouls. Coloneze entered. With the title looming, Paulo Chupeta urged the team not to allow three-pointers from their rival. Even so, Vasco closed in, with possession and the score at 74-71 with 36 seconds remaining. Hélio fouled Arthur, who converted both free throws, making it 74-73 at 24 seconds.
It was Vasco's turn to foul Hélio, who only converted one shot. At 75-73, with 15 seconds remaining, the São Januário team had the decisive ball, but paid dearly for another attacking error. They lost the game and the championship.
Vasco: Valtinho (20), Arthur (17), Jefferson (7), Cipriano (9) and Estevam (2). Rossi (9), Rafael (0), Brasilia (0) and Luiz Fernando (9) came on. Flamengo: Fred (0), Marcelinho (17), Amiel (9), Colonese (3) and Alírio (7). Helio (30), Wagner (4), Duda (1) and Fernando Mineiro (4) came on.
A red-black encyclopedia
Club launches Flapedia
Bernardo Pombo
A place to exchange information and content about one of the world's greatest clubs. This is the proposal of Flapédia, Flamengo's encyclopedia launched on the club's official website. Inspired by Wikipedia, the online encyclopedia, the initiative aims primarily to create a comprehensive collection of the club and its history, not limiting, for example, the gallery of great players to just champions.
"When we launched the new website, we reached the section dedicated to great players and realized it would be unfair to limit the number of topics to our liking. We would have included around 50 players in the hall of fame, but at a club with Flamengo's rich history, that number is very small. There's nothing better than the fans themselves nominating the names," said Ricardo Hinrichsen, vice president of marketing.
The goal is to encourage fans to create content, and for it to be much more multimedia than what's available on Wikipedia. Audio of historic goals, photos, and videos are welcome.
"Our intention is for it to be a multimedia encyclopedia, with everything Flamengo deserves. Just register and wait for approval. This measure aims to prevent vandalism by fans of other clubs. We'll have a moderator to approve registrations and review the site, but the real oversight will be the Flamengo fans," said Ricardo.
() From Globo Online
Kleber says Bruno is finally a Fla player
The goalkeeper's purchase and Jônatas' return will be made official by the club next week.
Yesterday, the day the red-blacks celebrated the historic 3-0 victory over Liverpool in Tokyo, winning the club world title, Flamengo's board announced that Bruno will remain with the team in 2008. Vice-president of football Kleber Leite said that the purchase of the goalkeeper's rights has been decided and that next week he will be formally confirmed as a Flamengo player.
"The investors who hold Bruno's rights have accepted our purchase proposal. As soon as the agreement is signed, we'll announce it," said Kleber Leite.
Like Bruno, another reinforcement to be announced next week is Jônatas. He was not in coach Ernesto Valverde's plans, but has already been released by Espanyol, with only details regarding compensation still to be finalized. With Jônatas' arrival, football director Marcos Braz leaves, having been fired yesterday because he was against Jônatas.
A decision should be made this weekend by businessman Giusepe Dioguardi, who offered Dynamo Kyiv defender Rodrigo. The deal is reportedly worth $400. The problem is that the Ukrainian club hired coach Anatoly Byshovets, formerly of Lokomotiv. Six months ago, he recommended Rodrigo and now he's determined to keep the player.
Flamengo will have to pay a fine of R$10 and play a 2008 Brazilian Championship match behind closed doors. The STJD full court upheld the punishment imposed by the disciplinary committee, due to the incidents in the match against Grêmio: a firecracker and a beer can were thrown onto the pitch, towards referee Sálvio Spínola.
Renato Mauricio Prado
Flamengo already resorted to a similar "double" when Kléber Leite, then president, decided to innovate and hired radio host Washington Rodrigues as coach.
"Apolinho" took along Artur Bernardes, a coach who had also worked for several small and medium-sized clubs in Brazil.
Speaking of Flamengo, the signing cycle isn't over yet, but Joel Santana's team for the Libertadores is starting to take shape.
Bruno (whose permanent signing could be announced today), Leonardo Moura, Fábio Luciano, Rodrigo (ex-São Paulo, currently at Dynamo Kiev) and Juan; Jônatas, Kleberson, Ibson and Renato Augusto; (a striker who is still being signed) and Souza.
If this striker doesn't arrive soon, Joel will start the year with Toró in midfield and Renato Augusto up front. On the bench, the key players should be Cristian, Obina, Máxi, Toró, and another playmaker who is also being sought to replace Roger—and it's not Conca.
Sports Journal
Bruno renews with Flamengo for another five years
Flamengo fans can now celebrate. The saga of goalkeeper Bruno's contract renewal, which had dragged on for more than two weeks, had a happy ending on Thursday night. MSI, the player's rights holder, accepted Flamengo's offer of R$6,5 million, payable in 10 installments, and loaned the player to the club. Bruno, considered the best goalkeeper in the country by the great Flamengo nation, will remain at Gávea for another five years.
Renato is only expected to return in June 2008
As reported by JORNAL DOS SPORTS in its November 17 edition, midfielder Renato is one of the players Flamengo plans to strengthen the team for next season. However, the player's arrival is expected to occur only after his contract expires, which would prevent him from participating in the Copa Libertadores.
Renato's contract with Al Nars (UAE) runs until May 31st, and any interested club would have to shell out $13 million. Kleber Leite confirmed that negotiations are advanced, but virtually ruled out the possibility of the player arriving at the end of this year.
"We're counting on the player, but he has a contract until May. It's unlikely he'll come before the Libertadores," said the director.
Flamengo faces Cruzeiro in the quarter-finals
Porto Alegre, RS - With many injury problems and some disciplinary issues, Flamengo's youth team returns to the field today, at 19 pm, in Porto Alegre, to face Cruzeiro, in the quarter-finals of the Brazilian Under-20 Championship.
The match is a rematch of the Belo Horizonte Cup final, won by the red-and-blacks after a thrilling penalty shootout. In regulation time, the game ended 1-1.
The team, led by coach Adílio, is looking to rediscover the fine form they displayed throughout the season, but which hasn't been seen in this competition yet. Without Diego Moura (right knee injury) and Léo (doubtful for the match), the defense is left depleted. The other issue the coach has to contend with is Kayke's absence. According to youth academy coordinator Rivelino Serpa, the player engaged in inappropriate behavior and, as a result, returned to Rio. The situation, however, appears to be resolved, as the young prospect will return in January.
Yesterday, Adílio had a light training session, so the team will likely be confirmed today. Flamengo's likely starting lineup will be Marcelo, Daividson, Anderson, Welliton, and Diogo (Léo); Rafael Mazei, Antônio, Erick Flores, and Vander; Paulo Sérgio (pictured) and Bruno Mezenga.
Rodrigo, ex-São Paulo, is the hot topic
The reinforcement desired by the board for the defense hails from the frozen Ukraine. Rodrigo, formerly of São Paulo and currently with Dynamo Kyiv, is the preferred choice among Flamengo's leadership. The player expressed great enthusiasm for the possibility of playing for Flamengo.
"My agent (Giuseppe Dioguardi) is looking into everything. There's a good chance he'll go to Flamengo, which is building a strong team. We have to see what Dynamo will ask for and whether Flamengo is willing to pay. But that's not up to me," he stated.
Proof that Rodrigo is the board's preferred choice was the fact that Kleber Leite told the attorney appointed to handle the negotiations with Bolívar, Jaider Moreira, that he would only negotiate with him again if the first option didn't work out.
"We're interested in this player. We've already started talking, but there's no news yet," explained the director, who also expressed enthusiasm for Bruno's renewal. The only issue remains determining the payment terms to MSI.
Yesterday, President Márcio Braga was also optimistic about the partnership between CBF, Fluminense and the company IMG for the Maracanã bidding process.
"The consortium would have a 25-year contract, renewable for another 25 years. The return will be proportional to the profitability that each party will provide to the stadium," he explained.
Fla punished — Flamengo was tried yesterday, in the second instance, at the Superior Court of Sports Justice (STJD) for the can thrown in the game against Grêmio. The Gávea club lost home field advantage for one match in the next Brazilian Championship and will have to pay a fine of R$10.
Jônatas case claims victim in Gávea
Marcos Braz is fired by his friend Kleber Leite and the player becomes the bone of contention
THIAGO BOKEL AND NATHAN DE LIMA
The idea of hiring Jônatas has already caused a loss in the board: Marcos Braz
As reported by JORNAL DOS SPORTS last Saturday, December 8th, the possible arrival of defensive midfielder Jônatas was causing serious friction within the club's leadership. And yesterday, the final chapter was written. Vice President of Football Kleber Leite announced the departure of Director of Football Marcos Braz, who was opposed to the player's signing.
The director was Kleber's right-hand man in recent years and considered the money man at Gávea. He issued an official statement on the club's website (www.flamengo.com.br), formalizing his departure. Marcos Braz quoted him in one of the excerpts.
"My mission and my pleasure are to serve the club, which is the greatest passion of my life. Now, I conclude another victorious cycle, having worked directly in the Football Department. (...) At this moment, I feel it is my duty to thank the professionals with whom I worked, the president Marcio Braga and the general vice-president Delair Dumbrosck, the other members of the board and, most especially, the vice-president of football Kleber Leite for the opportunity," he declared.
Negotiations
Marcos Braz's departure ended up being a sign that Jônatas's return is imminent. Previously adamant about loaning the player for a year, Espanyol's directors have already agreed to begin negotiations. Kleber Leite acknowledged that the arrival of the number 5, last year's Copa do Brasil champion, is imminent.
"He's getting better and better. He's a player I like, but I don't want to give too many details, only when he's finalized," said Kleber Leite, who also commented on Marcos Braz's departure:
"I was the one who fired him. Here, the majority decides. But we can only thank Marcos, who has always been effective, friendly, and intelligent. The problem was making an internal disagreement public. I'm sure we'll be together again in the future," the leader predicted.
Even though it hasn't been confirmed yet, Jônatas has already caused a lot of damage in Gávea.
Adílio acknowledges his loss, but is confident of winning the Brazilian Under-20 Championship
Flamengo failed to defeat Náutico yesterday in the Brazilian Under-20 Championship, but qualified for the quarter-finals of the competition after drawing 1-1 with Timbu.
Coach Adílio approved the performance of his players, even admitting the drop in performance during the competition.
"Flamengo started the competition well, but then we had players injured and that hurt us. Yesterday (Wednesday), we did well, we won 1-0 but we were under pressure. We ended up missing a lot of goals, but we achieved our objective. Now we're going to face Cruzeiro, which will be very difficult," said Adílio, already looking ahead to the next round's clash.
"Everyone knows that Cruzeiro will be a very tough opponent. The two teams know each other well, but we'll try to show the strength that Flamengo has," the coach told Rádio Bandeirantes.
In an exciting decision, Fla is crowned three-time State Basketball Champion
Wallace Teixeira
Players celebrate: Fla is the three-time State Basketball Champion
In a thrilling match worthy of a final, Flamengo won the State Basketball Championship for the third consecutive time. With the score tight at 75-73 (42-38), and with Vasco still holding the ball in their hands in the final seconds of the match, which Valtinho chose to hold on to until the last second. At the final whistle, Vasco's attack made a mistake, handing the title to Flamengo on a silver platter.
Urubu's standout player ended up coming off the bench. Forward/guard Hélio came on during the game and contributed to Flamengo's victory with 31 points, including 5 on three-pointers, finishing as the game's top scorer. For Cruzmaltino, guard Valtinho scored 18 points, becoming the team's top scorer from Colina Histórica.
In the first quarter of the match, just like in Wednesday's game, the match seemed easy for Flamengo. The team from Gávea, led by winger/point guard Hélio, who hit 4 three-pointers in the first period, opened up a 10-point lead: 25 to 15. The team from São Januário, very unfocused, started better, opening up an 8-0 lead, but allowed the red-black team to come back with many errors in both defense and attack.
With the return of the second quarter, coach José Carlos Vidal's team regained the same poise they had displayed early in the game. Led by point guard Valtinho and winger Arthur, Vasco's team hammered home the defense, thwarted the Red-Blacks' three-pointers, and won 23-17, going into halftime just four points behind.
In the third quarter, Vasco came back strong, with a three-pointer from center Márcio Cipriano. Arthur also performed well, scoring a two-pointer and a three-pointer. The team from Colina Histórica even took the lead, pulling away by four points (46-42). However, Vasco failed to manage their advantage and allowed the Red-Blacks to take the lead again, reimposing their four-point lead from the end of the second quarter. This continued until the end of the period, which ended at 63-59.
In the decisive quarter, Flamengo opened up a 9-point lead early on. Vasco still tried to rally, eventually making it 72-68. Towards the end of the fourth quarter, the match took on dramatic overtones. In the final minute, the team from Gávea was only one point ahead. Hélio had two free throws with 1 seconds remaining. He made the first but missed the second. The black and white team from Colina had possession, but they lacked the momentum to score when needed, missing the decisive attack. Better for Flamengo, who secured their 24rd title. The final score was 33-75 for the three-time champion.
Pacifier, the only true three-time champion
Wallace Teixeira
Coach Paulo Chupeta, between his wife Denise and daughter Erika: just emotion
When he was four years old, the Rubro-Negro coach had a habit of using a pacifier, and a man pointed him out as the pacifier boy. Until one day, the same man saw him on the court at Riachuelo, when he was 12, and said:
"Look, it's Paulo da Pacifier."
This is how Paulo Chupeta emerged, the coach who is making history in basketball at Flamengo.
After yesterday's victory, Chupeta was one of the most emotional on-court fans, celebrating with his players, coaching staff, friends, and family.
"I consider myself enlightened. I've been in the adult team for three years and have won three titles. But I achieved this because I had people by my side who helped and supported me a lot. I have the best player in Brazil on my team and a very good bench."
Chupeta praised his cast a lot.
"This title was well deserved. The coaching staff and players did an excellent job, and we only lost one game in the entire championship. But what sets this team apart is the bench. In this game, we knew they would come with a different approach, but we held on until the end and came away with the title. Congratulations to everyone."
Marcelinho: a red-black at heart
Wallace Teixeira
Winger Marcelinho Machado, one of the red-black idols, celebrates the third state championship with the fans
Captain of the Brazilian national team, winger Marcelinho has definitely won the hearts of the red-and-black fans. At the end of the match, the athlete ran to the stands to celebrate alongside his fans, who welcomed him with open arms.
Marcelinho is a declared Flamengo fan and admitted that the title won yesterday had a special flavor.
"I've won several titles, but it's different to see these fans celebrating with you. They're special, they supported us and gave us strength the whole time."
This time, the winger didn't leave the court as the leading scorer. A standout player for the team throughout the championship, he was heavily marked by opponents in the final. But he still did his part, distributing passes and hitting his trademark three-pointers. He left the court satisfied with the entire team's work.
"The team proved that basketball is won as a team. It couldn't be any different. Vasco has a great team, but Flamengo showed that their team was superior today (yesterday)," said the athlete, who also made a point of highlighting the team's determination on the field. "Three words describe Flamengo on the court: grit, love, and passion."
After so much struggle, Marcelinho won't have much time to celebrate. In fact, it's only two days, as on Monday he and his teammates will travel to Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, where they will compete in the Liga das Américas, the club's first international competition in two years. The last continental tournament the red-and-blacks competed in was the 2005 Liga Sudamericana, where they reached the quarterfinals.
Mengão celebrates for the 33rd time
Flamengo defeats Vasco, closes the final playoff 2-0 and takes the State Basketball Championship for the third time
Pedro Ivo Almeida, Rafael Oliveira and Mariana Land
Wallace Teixeira
Flamengo players celebrate the title after the end of the game
Undisputed. With the best record in the State Basketball Championship, with only one loss, Flamengo arrived at yesterday's game needing a victory to secure their third title, and that's what happened. Once again, relying on a very solid defense, a lot of concentration and a lot of determination from the players, the red-black team defeated Vasco 75-73 (42-38), at Maracanãzinho, and reached the 33rd state title in its history.
Point guard Hélio stood out, coming on during the first quarter in place of Fred, who had two fouls, and scoring 30 points, including five three-pointers. For Vasco, Valtinho scored 5 points.
At the beginning of the game, coach José Carlos Vidal's team seemed ready to take the decision to the third game, opening up an 8-0 lead on the scoreboard, but with the entry of Hélio, who hit 4 three-pointers in the period, the red-black team took control of the game and closed the first quarter at 25-15.
Knowing that this was their last chance to avoid their rival's title, Vasco entered the second period with a vigilant approach, defending against long-range shots, counterattacking, and narrowing the lead, proving they were still in contention. Despite their best efforts, the team from São Januário went into halftime trailing 42-38.
Returning to the third quarter, the team from the hill maintained the same pace and even took the lead, but with a timeout from coach Paulo Chupeta, Flamengo balanced the actions and maintained the difference that had been imposed on the rival at halftime until the end of the period, entering the final ten minutes four points ahead on the scoreboard (63 to 59).
Showing superiority and composure, the Gávea team simply controlled the game until the final siren sounded. Two points down, Valtinho still had the last ball of the game, but couldn't get past the red-and-black defense. The three-time champion's celebration was just beginning.
FLAMENGO\ Marcelinho(17), Fred, Amiel(9), Coloneze(3), Alírio(7). Entered: Helio(30), Wágner(4), Mineiro(4), Duda(1)\ Coach: Paulo Chupeta\
VASCO\ Arthur(17), Estevam(2), Valtinho(20), Jefferson(7) and Cipriano.\ Entered: Rossi(9) and Luis Fernando(9)\ Coach: José Carlos Vidal\
Location: Maracanazinho\ Referees: Rafael Serour, Eduardo Augusto, Vânder Júnior\
Luiz Augusto Veloso
Planet Sport
The Scandinavian Three
Luiz Augusto Veloso laveloso@jsports.com.br
Globoesporte.com features a clever report by reporter Eduardo Peixoto about the success of Flamengo-trained players who ended up making it big in Scandinavia: right-back Gauchinho, midfielder Alanzinho, and forward Bruno Santos. I know them well. I led the Flamengo under-18 team delegation in 2002 that won the Dubai International Tournament in the United Arab Emirates. Also participating were Borussia Dortmund, Torino, and the host team Al Shabab. All three were starters and excelled. The team also included Getúlio, Júnior, Rodrigo Antonio, Ibson, and Nélio.
These three young men, once standouts, never got a chance in the professional ranks and ended up in Europe. Gauchinho became a midfielder at Naestved in Denmark. Alanzinho shines at Stabaek in Norway, being named the best player in the Norwegian Championship, and Bruno Santos was the top scorer in the Swedish Second Division Championship for Norrköpping.
I'm not surprised by the boys' fate. They followed a successful path through Flamengo's youth academy. But, as often happens, the funnel that characterizes their arrival to the professional group betrayed them. This is a common situation at clubs that invest in developing players. Every year, at least 11 or 12 boys reach their prime and are added to the professional ranks. There isn't always room. Depending on the coach, the more mature or even recommended players end up enjoying more opportunities than a newcomer. There are also cases of those who can't handle the pressure of competing with more experienced athletes and end up not demonstrating the minimum level of competitiveness required. And they may have been poorly evaluated by the coach and management.
In the case of these three revelations, I confess, Alanzinho's fate truly frustrates me. Intelligent, skillful, and cerebral, he had and still has the talent to be a Flamengo professional. The claim that he's short is unfounded given the success he's been achieving in the tough Scandinavian game. For a club that has struggled to find creative players in its midfield, Alanzinho's fate suggests a misjudgment may have been made. Having known not only all three as players but also as honest young men determined to succeed in football, I can't help but be happy to know that their careers have continued.
O Dia
Basketball: Three red-blacks over Vasco
Mengão wins 33rd state title and the São Januário team takes another runner-up spot
Rio - It wasn't with one but three words that Marcelinho defined Flamengo's third state championship, the club's 33rd title: "Race, love and passion" marked the victory over Vasco, a narrow 75-73 (42-38) victory that closed out the best-of-three. They also marked a campaign that featured only one loss to their rival, in the qualifying round.
Yesterday, Maracanãzinho became a landmark for the three Machado brothers, who for the first time experienced the taste of lifting a trophy while defending their favorite team. Their happiness contrasted with the sadness of the Vasco squad, which did everything right to take the match to overtime but was betrayed by a misplaced pass on the final ball, given by Valtinho to Brasília. "We did the best we could. The feeling is that we lost knowing we could have won," lamented the point guard.
On the other side, point guard Hélio breathed a sigh of relief. He could have gone from hero to villain in this story because of a missed free throw on the attack before the opponent's last. His pinpoint accuracy from the three-point line helped the Red-Blacks come from a bothersome 8-0 first-quarter lead, strung together a streak of 21 straight points to just two, and closed the half 25-15.
The lead reached 12 points early in the second quarter, but despite trailing 42-38, Vasco was already showing signs of a comeback. Beforehand, Marcelinho and Vasco doctor Igor Guimarães were at odds at the entrance to the locker room. Things heated up. "This is the Marcelinho you call the star of the tournament. He's a thug," Igor said.
Back on the court, under Valtinho's baton, Vasco took the lead. However, Flamengo once again took the lead (63-59) and pulled away again, making it 71-61 early in the fourth quarter. Determined to prevent the Gávea team from closing out the series, Vasco's players dug deep on defense and forced their opponents to make mistakes. With 24 seconds remaining, Arthur narrowed the lead to 74-73. Then, Hélio, the leading scorer with 30 points, hit a free throw, giving their rivals a chance to take the match to overtime, but the play didn't go as planned.
"I was confident I'd score both. When I realized I'd missed, I went to mark Valtinho, and the ball bounced off his hand. Today I was the top scorer, but anyone could have been because that's how our team is," says Hélio.
"My entire bench produced. The close result enhanced the victory. I consider myself enlightened," said coach Paulo Chupeta.
Flamengo finalizes Flapédia, the club's collaborative encyclopedia
Rio - After a long period of work and research by Flamengo and its collaborators, Flapédia, Flamengo's collaborative encyclopedia, is now live. Fans will find over 1000 articles (initially) with facts and statistics from Flamengo's history, interviews, photos, videos, a match schedule, and much more. Visit
And Flapédia's biggest highlight is the Rubro-Negro fan base. Here, fans can browse, research, and journey through the history of Brazil's Most Beloved Club, contributing to the story. Among the page's highlights are past great squads, such as the 1981 World Cup winner, and international legends who played for the club, such as Germany's Franz Beckenbauer.
Ricardo Jorge Hinrichsen, Flamengo's executive marketing director and creator of the website, said it arose from a realization. "We were designing the content for Flamengo's new website and came to the conclusion that following the example of other clubs, listing the most important titles, greatest players, and other information, wasn't enough. Flamengo isn't like the others, so instead of listing the biggest titles, athletes, matches, etc., what better way than to create a tool and allow the Red-Black Nation to do so. The difference between Flamengo and the others is its fans; why not give them the power to write about the club's history?"
According to Ricardo, Flamengo has a rich collection of photos, texts, documents, and videos. "As far as possible, we will make it digital and accessible through Flapédia."
Espanyol has already agreed to loan Jônatas to Flamengo
Rio - After much negotiation, businessman Eduardo Uram managed to persuade the directors of Espanyol, Spain, to loan defensive midfielder Jônatas to Flamengo. Initially, the player will remain at Gávea for a year. The Spanish press reported that the club did not want to involve Jônatas in a loan deal, but since Espanyol's coach shows no interest in the player, he can now leave.
Before Flamengo's board can announce Jônatas' return, all that remains is to resolve some financial issues. Flamengo's football director, Marcos Braz, even said that if the athlete entered through one door at Gávea, he would leave through the other.
However, it didn't even take Jônatas' arrival for the director to leave the club. Upon learning of Marcos Braz's statements, vice president of football Kléber Leite immediately dismissed him from his position.
Defender Rodrigo is close to signing with Flamengo
Rio - After Flamengo's board cooled off on the signing of defender Bolivar, who is in France, the name of Rodrigo, formerly of São Paulo and currently in Ukraine, has heated up at Gávea. The defender wants to return to Brazilian football next season, but Flamengo's directors have adopted a stance of refusing to comment on the possibility of signing the Dynamo Kyiv defender.
According to information from Rádio Tupi, the player's agent, Giuseppe Dioguardi, is working quickly to have the athlete released by Friday at the latest.
Rodrigo, 28, came through the ranks at Ponte Preta, where he played alongside Fábio Luciano on a few occasions. He then moved to São Paulo and later to Ukraine, where he has been since 2005.
Sports Gazette
Bolívar will have to lower his salary to return to Brazil
Rio de Janeiro (RJ) - A top target for some of Brazil's top teams in 2008, defender Bolívar will have to accept a pay cut if he wants to pursue his interest in returning to Brazilian football. At least that's the assessment of Botafogo, Flamengo, and Cruzeiro, who have reached out to the player to try to expedite his return. In addition to Flamengo and Raposa, who will compete in the Libertadores, Cruzeiro entered the fray this Thursday, which excited the player. "I didn't know about Botafogo yet, but I'm very happy because they're a great team. The only interest I knew was from Flamengo and Cruzeiro," he added to Rádio Globo.
Bolívar has a contract with Monaco in France until 2010. His salary is reportedly around R$200, far from the current reality of Brazilian football, but the athlete himself acknowledges that everything depends on negotiations. After all, his priority is to return to Brazil.
"My goal is to return because my wife is six months pregnant, and spending a year in Brazil would give me the opportunity to be close to my family. That's how it was with my first child. Besides, it's always an honor to play in Brazilian soccer," he added.
Monaco is willing to release Bolívar for a season, after receiving the approval of his coach, Ricardo Gomes. All that's missing is official contact from a Brazilian team, which hasn't happened yet.
"Ricardo Gomes knows; he's been talking to the management, and when he has something confirmed from Brazil, he'll present it to the club. I even talked to him about my daughter's situation, and he understood. That's an added point. Let's wait and see if this situation materializes and whether I can return," he concluded.
Flamengo sees punishment for objects thrown onto the pitch maintained
Rio de Janeiro (RJ) - The case involving objects thrown onto the pitch during the match between Flamengo and Grêmio, held on October 21, was concluded this Thursday. After a trial in the Fourth Disciplinary Committee, a request for a stay of proceedings was granted, and a postponement due to a lack of auditors, the Plenary of the Superior Court of Sports Justice (STJD) decided to maintain the R$10 fine and the loss of a home field advantage for the Rio de Janeiro club. However, the decision was not unanimous. Four auditors voted in favor of the punishment, while three voted against it. The rapporteur voted to uphold the Fourth Disciplinary Committee's decision, and the president of the STJD, Rubens Approbato, voted against it, requesting an acquittal.
Flamengo was charged with violating Article 213 of the Brazilian Civil Code (CBJD) (failure to take measures to prevent and suppress disorder in its sports arena), which carries a fine of R$10 to R$100 and the loss of home-field privileges for one to ten matches. During the match against Grêmio, a beer can and a firework were thrown onto the Maracanã pitch.
Despite being found guilty in the first instance, the Rio de Janeiro club failed to comply with the penalty after obtaining a stay of execution, granted by Rubens Approbato. This allowed the team to play with the support of its fans against Atlético Paranaense. In the match, held on November 25th, Flamengo won 2-0 and secured its place in the Copa Libertadores.
Rodrigo, ex-São Paulo, negotiates with Flamengo\ Gazeta Press\
Rio de Janeiro (RJ) - Flamengo's defensive reinforcement could come from Europe. At 27, who played for Ponte Preta and São Paulo before playing for Dynamo Kyiv, his current club, defender Rodrigo admitted that he is expected to return to Brazilian football in 2008. The player also stated that he has received inquiries from Santos and São Paulo. "Everyone already knows that I want to return to Brazil to compete in the Copa Libertadores. Even before I went on vacation and had surgery, I spoke with the president and told him of my desire. He spoke with my agent (Giuseppe Dioguardi) and asked him to present any offers I received," he commented.
Rodrigo admitted that he has already started talks with Flamengo, but prefers to remain cautious about the success of the transaction, as he does not know how much Dynamo Kyiv will ask for to release him on loan next year.
"My agent had a conversation with Kléber (Leite, vice president of football). But first, my agent traveled to see how much the president of Dinamo wants and to see if Flamengo is interested in paying. The club that signs me will make a good deal, because I want to not only win a Libertadores, but also return to the Brazilian national team. I think we'll make a good trade with the club that signs me."
Rodrigo, who spent the last few weeks in Brazil recovering from knee surgery, confirmed that he had seen part of Flamengo's reaction in the Brazilian Championship, and took the opportunity to praise a likely future defensive partner at Rubro-Negro.
"Flamengo made a surprising comeback in the second half of the Brazilian Championship. I think Fábio Luciano's arrival has shaken up the team," said the defender, also assuring that the knee injury is a thing of the past. "It's been almost two months since the surgery, but now I'm cleared to train with the ball, too."
Rodrigo is Flamengo's priority to bolster its defense. Fabiano Eller, another speculated name, will not leave Atlético Madrid at this time. Negotiations between Flamengo and Bolívar appear to have cooled, as the Rio de Janeiro club did not respond to a counteroffer made by businessman Reinaldo Pitta.
Currently, in addition to Fábio Luciano, Flamengo also has other defensive players such as Ronaldo Angelim, Rodrigo Arroz, Thiago Salles, and Marlon. The latter, in fact, is expected to be loaned to Ipatinga-MG next season, as Flamengo has a partnership with the Minas Gerais club.
Midfield is another area Flamengo intends to strengthen for 2008. Vice-president of football Kléber Leite has been looking for a way to secure funds to secure Jônatas, currently at Espanyol. The director, however, will only announce reinforcements after he has paid the squad's salaries.
PeléNet
Fla and Santos need to wait to negotiate with Rodrigo
Bruno Rousso\ In Rio de Janeiro\
Flamengo and Santos will have to wait another day before they can effectively begin negotiations with Dynamo Kyiv-UKR defender Rodrigo. According to the player's agent, Giuseppe Dioguardi, everything depends on the Ukrainian club's position, which, at least initially, appears unwilling to release the defender. A response is expected this Friday.
"I'm in Kyiv and I'm going to try to see if they (Dynamo officials) can release him. I'm going to inform them that Rodrigo doesn't want to stay here next year, that he wants to be loaned out. Tomorrow afternoon, I'll talk to them to decide this, but I can already tell you that it won't be easy," said the agent, who emphasizes that he hasn't received any official offer.
"There's a lot of talk about it, but nothing concrete has come of it yet. I've only been contacted by someone connected to Flamengo. We even talked to Santos, but everything cooled off with this uncertainty surrounding Vanderlei Luxemburgo's stay," said Giuseppe.
The agent also noted that Dynamo, if it releases Rodrigo, will have a decisive influence on the player's future. The European club will evaluate the possibilities and determine what it considers the best option.
"We'll carefully review the proposals and pass them on to the Dynamo team. Besides Rodrigo, they'll also be actively involved. In fact, they'll be the ones to decide on this," he revealed.
In the battle for the defender, Santos has a slight advantage, as the player used the club's facilities to recover from arthroscopic surgery on his left knee. Rodrigo spent the last two months receiving treatment at CEPRAF (Center of Excellence in Prevention and Recovery for Football Athletes).
STJD upholds penalty of loss of home field advantage for Flamengo
From UOL Esporte\ In Rio de Janeiro\
Flamengo will have to play a match in the 2008 Brazilian Championship behind closed doors. This is because, this Thursday, the Plenary of the STJD (Superior Court of Sports Justice) found the club guilty of the incidents caused in the match against Grêmio (a 2-0 victory for the red-blacks), still in this year's National Championship.
The match referee, Sálvio Spínola Fagundes Filho, reported in the match report that a firecracker and a beer can were thrown onto the pitch. In addition to playing behind closed doors, Flamengo will have to pay a fine of R$10.
In the first trial, on November 9, the Court punished Flamengo, which would have to face Atlético-PR, in the 37th and penultimate round of the competition, at Maracanã, with closed doors.
At the time, as the team was fighting for a spot in the Copa Libertadores da América, the legal department filed a request for a suspensive effect, which was granted by the president of the STJD, Rubens Approbato Machado.
Fla is one step away from renewing its contract with goalkeeper Bruno
From UOL Esporte\ In Rio de Janeiro\
Flamengo is just a few steps away from finalizing Bruno's contract renewal for next season. According to Rádio Tupi, Flamengo's vice president of football, Kleber Leite, met with representatives of MSI, the company that owns the goalkeeper's rights, this Thursday and virtually sealed the deal.
The biggest issue was in relation to the number of installments for Fla to make the payment of Bruno's economic rights (federative rights belong to Atlético-MG), in addition to financial compensation for the investment company.
The Gávea club's management has not yet made an official statement, which could happen this Friday. Flamengo intends to sign the player on a contract that runs until 2012.
BalloonSport
Fla announces agreement with Bruno
The red-and-black club is expected to formalize the goalkeeper's renewal for another four years.
Eduardo Peixoto From GLOBOESPORTE.COM
Bruno is expected to sign a five-year contract with Flamengo.
Flamengo's number one—or number 1, if you prefer—spot in the Copa Libertadores is decided. This Thursday, the club received the go-ahead from the group of investors who hold the goalkeeper's economic rights to purchase almost all of Bruno's stake.
Flamengo will pay approximately three million euros (R$7,8 million) for the player, in installments. The contract is initially expected to last four years. Flamengo wanted a five-year commitment, but relented somewhat.
Before signing with Flamengo, Bruno received inquiries from Fluminense and European clubs. However, he was adamant that he had no desire to move to Laranjeiras.
With the imminent permanence of the starting goalkeeper, the board has practically completed the contract renewal cycle. Previously, the permanence of Fábio Luciano and Cristian was agreed upon. The latter, however, still has a pending offer from Russian football.
Fla launches virtual encyclopedia
Flapédia begins with more than a thousand articles about the red-black club
Flamengo fans who want to learn more about the club's history have access to a virtual encyclopedia. This week, Flapédia, a project developed by the club's marketing department four months ago and involving dozens of contributors, was launched.
To begin with, there are over a thousand articles about Flamengo at the following address: www.flamengo.com.br/flapedia. Statistics, interviews, photos, and videos are available.
The website, created for Flamengo fans and by Flamengo fans, is open to new contributors.
Red-blacks celebrate 20 years of the fourth title
On December 13, 1987, Fla beat Inter 1-0 and won the Copa União
As the CBF does not recognize the 87 title, Fla made a replica of the "Taça de Bolinhas"
Exactly 20 years ago, Flamengo defeated Inter 1-0 in the Copa União final and took a lap of honor around the Maracanã stadium, celebrating their fourth national championship. On December 13, 1987, Bebeto's goal in the 16th minute of the first half sent the red-and-black fans into a Brazilian champion's chant. A title that the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) still doesn't recognize. For the organization, which didn't organize the competition, Sport, winner of the later-created Yellow Module, is the champion.
The controversy surrounding the Copa União title resurfaced this year when Brazilian champions São Paulo declared themselves "unique fifth-time champions," clearly contesting Flamengo's 1987 triumph, leaving Flamengo with just four national titles (1980, 82, 83, and 92). São Paulo thus became the winner of the "Taça de Bolinhas," a prize awarded by the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) to the first team to win five national titles.
In 1987, the so-called "grandfathers' team" of Flamengo, commanded by coach Carlinhos and led by Zico, who was 34 years old at the time, was, indisputably, champion of a tournament that brought together the main and strongest teams in the country: the Copa União, created by the 'Club of 13' after the CBF claimed not to have the financial conditions to organize the Brazilian Championship that year.
After a stumble in the debut, losing 2-0 to São Paulo, at Maracanã, the team that mixed the experienced Leandro, Edinho, Andrade and Zico with youngsters like Jorginho, Zinho, Renato Gaúcho and Bebeto, recovered during the competition and went on to win.
The semifinals against Atlético-MG, considered by many to be an early final of the competition, were proof of the red-and-black team's resilience. With seven wins in its first 15 matches, Flamengo overcame the unbeaten record of the favorite Galo and, with a 1-0 victory at Maracanã and a 3-2 victory at Mineirão, secured its place in the final.
Against Inter, with the still-young goalkeeper Taffarel, the road to their fourth title began with a 1-1 draw at Beira-Rio. In the return leg, a narrow but sufficient 1-0 victory, with a goal from Bebeto, sealed the victory and gave Flamengo the distinction of being the team with the most national titles in Brazilian football, an advantage they increased in 1992 and only equaled 15 years later with São Paulo's fifth title.
For experts, Fla is the 87 champion
Roberto Assaf explains the controversy surrounding the Brazilian title 20 years ago
Barbara Carvalho
This Thursday, Flamengo has plenty of reasons to celebrate. It's been exactly 20 years since the Rubro-Negro won its fourth Brazilian championship. This is the opinion of commentator Roberto Assaf, even though the CBF doesn't recognize Flamengo's 1987 title and attributes that year's championship to Sport. In an interview with GLOBOESPORTE.COM, Assaf gave his opinion on the 1987 title and explained some of the controversy surrounding it.
- Awarding the '87 Brazilian championship title to Sport is the biggest mistake in the history of Brazilian football. This title was only awarded to Sport for political reasons. The CBF interfered in the championship and, therefore, had no right to impose any rules. It created a factoid. Where have you ever seen the two best teams in the First Division and the two best teams in the Second Division? It's a bizarre, absurd crossover.
According to the sports commentator, Flamengo is the 1987 Brazilian champion and there is no doubt about it. Roberto Assaf points out that Flamengo's title was recognized by major rivals at the time, including São Paulo, which today declares itself "the only fifth" and does not recognize Flamengo's title that year.
"Inter itself, which was the runner-up in the Copa União and could have profited greatly from this crossover, as it could have won the title, declined. All the major Brazilian clubs had no doubt at the time that Flamengo was the champion. Even Vasco and São Paulo. Even the president of the Clube dos 13, responsible for organizing the Copa União, Carlos Miguel Aidar, was president of São Paulo. Flamengo is the 1987 Brazilian champion, and I can say that categorically. There is no doubt about that, and I would say that if I were a fan of any team."
Roberto Assaf believes that the CBF was largely responsible for the confusion surrounding the 1987 Brazilian championship title. According to him, the crossover between the "First and Second Divisions" would initially only determine the Brazilian clubs' places in the Libertadores and not the title itself.
When Guarani and Sport decided the Second Division title, the match ended in a draw and went to a penalty shootout. The match ended at 11-11, and then the presidents of both clubs took the field and agreed to share the title. Later, due to the CBF's interest, the title was re-decided, and Sport won. From the outset, it was decided that this crossover would decide which Brazilian clubs would advance to the Libertadores. Halfway through the championship, the CBF decided to intervene and decide that the crossover would also determine the Brazilian champion.
Renato Gaúcho has fond memories of 87
According to Flu's coach, the quality of the red-black team made the difference that year
Caio Barbosa
Now in charge of Fluminense, Renato Gaúcho fiercely defended the red-and-black jersey 20 years ago, in the controversial 1987 season. Today, he's in charge of Flamengo's arch-rival. However, 20 years ago, Renato Gaúcho defended the red-and-black jersey alongside Zico, Bebeto, Andrade, and many other stars who made up the Flamengo team that won the Copa União. The current Fluminense coach said that the year of the controversial Brazilian championship title was positive for both his career and for Flamengo.
"It was a very good year for me and for all the Flamengo fans. It was my first year at the club, and right alongside my greatest football idol (Zico). We didn't start the championship well, but the quality of the team made all the difference."
Renato's fine performance in the Copa União semifinal against Galo helped Flamengo secure a spot in the final and left a lasting impression on the former player. Gaúcho also said he realized, during that match, that he should have been selected for the Brazilian squad that went to the 1986 World Cup.
"That game against Atlético-MG is unforgettable not only for the fans, but for me as well. It was a year after I was cut from the 1986 World Cup squad. Besides being champion, I won the Golden Ball that year. This shows how much I could have been useful to the team the year before."
Flamengo defeats Vasco and becomes three-time champion
The team closes the final series 2-0 over its biggest rival and wins the title at Maracanãzinho
Marcelinho shows the Mengão trophy
Flamengo confirmed their favoritism and defeated Vasco 75-73 (42-38 in the first half) and won the Rio de Janeiro Men's Basketball Championship. In addition, the Rubro-Negro won their third state championship in an empty Maracanãzinho, with only 1.479 people in attendance, against an inconsistent Vasco team throughout the match.
The first quarter began with a strong performance from Vasco, quickly taking an 8-0 lead and looking like they would play better than the previous quarter. However, inexplicably, the team stopped playing after reaching this score, and Flamengo took advantage of this to turn the score around to 9-8 with 5:40 remaining.
Hélio has a devastating performance in the first quarter
On defense, the team from Gávea gave the Vasco team no chance, and opened up an 18-9 lead, mainly thanks to an excellent performance by point guard Hélio, who scored 13 points in the first quarter (12 on three-pointers) taking advantage of Vasco's strong marking of Marcelinho. Flamengo calmly closed the first period 25-15, thanks to a two-pointer by Cuban Amiel with the clock running down.
In the second quarter, Vasco improved its offensive output, especially with Arthur and Valtinho, and increased its marking on Hélio. This helped them close the deficit to just three points (28-25), making it 10-3 in five minutes. While Flamengo was rushing shots, Vasco calmly moved the ball and stayed in the game. Even with the comeback, which saw Vasco win the quarter 23-17, Vasco fell behind 42-38. The standout performers for each team were Hélio (24 points), for Flamengo, and Valtinho (12 points), for Vasco.
Amiel sets out to score two more points
Vasco turns it around in the third quarter, but can't hold on.
In the second half, Vasco returned to the court as they had begun the first, with great determination and tactical application. With that, the team turned the score around, taking the lead with 7:12 remaining in the third quarter. The red-and-blacks woke up and regained the advantage, leveling the score.
With less than a minute remaining in the quarter, Vasco's forward Rossi was sent off for fouls, much to the dismay of coach José Carlos Vidal. The game remained even until the end of the quarter, which ended with a 63-59 victory for the red-and-blacks.
In the final quarter, more relaxed on the court and more aware, to the point of working the ball until the end of each possession, Flamengo allowed Vasco to close the gap, closing in on the scoreboard, closing in on just three points (74-71) with 25 seconds remaining. After a free throw converted by point guard Hélio, Valtinho had a chance to at least tie the game, but he missed the play, ruining Flamengo's chance of postponing the title.
Jônatas is close to an agreement
Negotiations have changed course in recent days and Fla may announce it soon.
Eduardo Peixoto
Jônatas left Flamengo after winning the Copa do Brasil in 2006
Jônatas is getting closer and closer to returning to Flamengo. The player's agent, Eduardo Uram, managed to convince Espanyol's directors to negotiate with him, and there are only a few remaining issues before the final agreement.
Earlier this week, the Spanish press reported that the Catalan club had no interest in negotiating a loan deal for the Brazilian. However, there's been a change of heart in recent days, and the midfielder is initially staying at Flamengo for a year. Jônatas isn't in Espanyol coach Ernesto Valverde's plans. He wasn't even included in the squad for the final matches, and on Thursday, the coach confirmed that he doesn't consider the player essential.
Since arriving in Spain in August 2006, the midfielder has struggled with adaptation and lack of discipline. A return to Flamengo, the club where he started out, would be an attempt at a fresh start for the player.
In Gávea, the groundwork for his return was laid this Thursday. A staunch opponent of Jônatas, football director Marcos Braz was dismissed from his position by Flamengo's vice president of football, Kléber Leite.
Hélio says he had fun on the court
The top scorer coming off the bench, with 31 points, the point guard says the game marked his career.
Eduardo Peixoto
Point guard Hélio had his day as a Flamengo hero this Thursday. A hero of the Flamengo title, with 31 points in the 75-73 victory over Vasco, the player said he was just trying to have fun on the court.
"I tried to have fun on the court, even though I know this is my profession. Playing is a pleasure. If it's not like that, we end up not enjoying being here. Today I woke up inspired, and fortunately, everything worked out."
Coming off the bench, the point guard scored 13 points in the first quarter and 31 in the game, including the decisive free throw with less than ten seconds left in the game.
"This game will definitely mark my career. There's no point in being the top scorer and not winning the championship. What mattered was the title. I'd been playing decisive matches for some time, and the tension was there, of course. But if we think too much about the importance of the game, we didn't play at all. Now it's time to celebrate!"
Marcelinho is very excited about the title
Winger says victory over Vasco in the final was achieved with grit, love and passion
Eduardo Peixoto
Forward Marcelinho, the biggest star of the Flamengo team, which won its third state basketball championship this Thursday by beating Vasco 75-73, was overjoyed with the title. A self-proclaimed Flamengo fan, the player said he was thrilled with the victory.
"There's nothing to say at this point. It's incredibly emotional to win the title with my favorite team. I've watched Zico play since I was a kid, and today I became champion wearing this jersey."
Euphoric, Marcelinho made a point of referencing the song that accompanied the Rubro-Negro's games in 2007.
"We won the title with grit, against our biggest rival. Flamengo is that, grit. Grit, love, and passion!" the player concluded.
Colonese: "They are vice again"
Flamengo's pivot says it's worth giving his all on the court for Flamengo fans
Eduardo Peixoto
Flamengo center Colonese, who played much of the final against Vasco with a bandage on his chin, the result of a cut that stained his jersey with blood, made a point of taunting Vasco fans after winning the title. Jokingly, the player said the fans deserve all the effort.
- For this crowd, it's worth literally leaving your blood on the court. And there's no way around it, they're runners-up again.
Point guard Fred, suspended with five fouls in the fourth quarter, echoed Colonese.
"Vasco tried to win, but they couldn't. Now I can celebrate the title with my favorite team."
At the party on the podium, winger Amiel was visibly out of place, as all the players were singing the Flamengo anthem, and the player, who was born in Cuba, probably because he didn't know the lyrics, just danced awkwardly.
Bebeto: 'The '87 title is ours, period'
For the former player, the achievement happened on the field and there is no controversy surrounding it.
Barbara Carvalho
According to Bebeto, today is indeed a day of celebration for the red-black fans.
Bebeto was among the players who won the 1987 Copa União, a competition organized by the Clube dos 13, as the CBF claimed it lacked the financial resources to hold it. For the former player, the controversy surrounding whether Flamengo was the 1987 Brazilian champion should not have existed, given that the Rubro-Negro played well throughout the season and thus won the Cup.
"Saying that the title isn't Flamengo's is just kidding us, right? We won this title on the field, playing against other teams. That doesn't exist. These things only happen in Brazil. The title belongs to Flamengo, and no one will take it away from us. For me, there's no controversy; it's ours, period," he says.
According to the world champion, even if Flamengo had faced Sport, the strong red-and-black team would have won the title. For Bebeto, the Flamengo squad's superiority over the Leão can be seen in the presence of five starters from the 1994 World Cup-winning Brazilian team.
"At the time, I even told Márcio Braga, 'Let's play against Sport to crush them and put an end to this.' Our team was far superior. We had five starters from the 1994 World Cup-winning team: me, Leonardo, Zinho, Aldair, and Jorginho," recalls the world champion.
However, 20 years ago, Bebeto didn't believe the 1987 Brazilian championship title would generate so much controversy in the future. Outraged, the former player recalls that, at the time, even the president of São Paulo—which is now fighting to be recognized as the first and only five-time Brazilian champion—recognized Flamengo's title.
"Although I mentioned this to Flamengo's president at the time, I never thought I'd have any problems in the future. It was very clear that Flamengo had won the Brazilian championship. The president of the Club of 13, who was also president of São Paulo, acknowledged the title. This controversy that arose even angers me."
Fan remembers the 1981 saga
Present at the World Cup win, Moraes reveals the English idolize Zico and Leandro
Cahê Mota
From the stands, fans watch the Flamengo's lap of honor. Exactly 26 years ago, on December 13, 1981, Zico and company stepped into Tokyo's National Stadium to give Flamengo the most important title in its history: the Club World Cup. However, in the stands, instead of the more than 100 fans who had grown accustomed to cheering that team on at the Maracanã, only 46 pilgrims were celebrating the Flamengo in Japan. Responsible for organizing the trip to the East, 67-year-old advertising executive Francisco Moraes recalls how he made what seemed like a dream become an unforgettable reality.
Back then, traveling to Japan was already absurd, and travel agencies set even more absurd prices. But about ten days before the game, since no one wanted to pay that price, an agency called me offering the entire package for what would be the equivalent of R$3 today, and only I and three other true fans in the stands went to experience this historic moment. The rest were big shots who took advantage of the price and the players' families.
Hero Nunes thanks fans at Tokyo National Stadium
Upon arriving in Japan, Francisco was welcomed by a group of Brazilian immigrants and had an idea that, according to him, still moves the then goalkeeper Raul Plassmann.
"The people welcomed us and immediately suggested making a banner for Flamengo in Japanese characters. I thought it was fantastic, and we went around Japan looking for red and black cloth. Lacking materials, we wrote 'red-black race' with tape, and it turned out amazing. To this day, wherever Raul runs into me, he remembers it. The trip was a party; everywhere we went, the Japanese applauded us. I came back with a ton of sneakers and souvenirs... We could grab them and leave without paying. That's impossible nowadays, but back then, it was a party, just like it was on the field. The final itself was against Cobreloa, Zico himself admits that," says the fan, who reveals a meeting with his English rivals on the eve of the final.
We went out with the Flamengo delegation and ran into the Liverpool team on the street. They were super friendly; goalkeeper Grobelaar and number 11 even recognized Flamengo as the best team in the world. They said Zico and Leandro were amazing. There was no talk of contempt; what happened was that they didn't understand why they formed a chain before matches and hugged each other, so they laughed, but before the match, they already knew the team's potential.
Return in 2008?
Before the match, a Japanese band performs for the fans
Since the red-and-black triumph, Francisco Moraes has returned to Japan to win the World Cup with the Brazilian national team in 2002 and to relive the joy of seeing Zico on the field for Kashima Antlers. However, nothing has made him feel the same emotion he felt on December 13, 1981, and the publicist reveals he has already made a "deal" with God.
"I already told the guy up there that I can't die without going back to Japan to see Flamengo become world champions. Whether it's in Tokyo, Yokohama, wherever. I hope it's this year; I'm confident. Before that, I'm going to Istanbul in January to cheer on the Galinho in the Champions League," concludes the fan, who never tires of venerating those who have been immortalized as heroes of a nation.
Raul surprised by Flamengo's tribute
Club launches yellow shirt, like the one worn by the former goalkeeper in the 1981 World Cup
Thiago Dias
Raul Plassmann is currently director of the Paraná Football Federation
This week, Flamengo released a yellow jersey based on the one worn by Raul Plassmann in his 1981 World Cup victory, which turns 26 this Thursday. The tribute took the Flamengo idol by surprise.
- I was the last to know (laughs). I saw the photo on GLOBOESPORTE.COM, I thought it was really cool. And it's just my shirt, not the whole team's collection. It's too much for me to handle - he jokes.
Raul started wearing yellow shirts in the 60s