The two groups do not yet have all the participants defined for the dispute.

GLOBOESPORTE.COM

The groups for the 2008 Campeonato Carioca have been defined. This Monday, the Arbitration Council of the Rio de Janeiro Stadium Football Federation (FERJ) held the draw to establish the groups.

The Carioca Championship will begin on January 19th and run until May 5th. It's possible that matches involving Rio's four major clubs will be played only in the three main stadiums: Engenhão, Maracanã, and São Januário. However, the decision won't be announced until the 22nd.

Check out the groups for the 2008 Carioca Championship:

Group A

Flamengo\ Fluminense\ América\ Boavista\ Volta Redonda\ Champion and runner-up of Group I (Cardoso Moreira, Macaé Esporte, Independente and Floresta)\ Fifth place in the Carioca Series B\

Group B

Botafogo\ Vasco\ Americano\ Friburguense\ Cabofriense\ Madureira\ First and second place in Group J (Resende FC, Duque de Caxias and Olaria)\

Regulation

In the Guanabara Cup (first round), the teams from their respective groups will face each other, with the top two advancing to the semifinals. The first team from Group A will face the second team from Group B, and vice versa. The teams will decide their place in the final in a single match. The final will also be a single match, unlike this year, when the Guanabara Cup and Rio Cup finals were played over two legs.

In the Rio Cup (second round), the matches will be between groups. The two highest-placed teams will also qualify. The final stage will be the same as the first round.

If the same team wins both rounds, they'll be crowned champions. If they don't, the grand final will be played over two matches.

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