Thiago Barros and Eduardo Vieira

Sports Journal

Rio de Janeiro - Monday night was filled with presentations and reunions at the Hélio Maurício Gymnasium. Flamengo's futsal team kicked off its 2009 season with a mix of new players and old acquaintances. Of the 14-man squad, 10 were part of the 2008 state championship squad, and four were signed for this season. Xandó, George, Fabinho, and Paulinho are the newcomers. The first of these was in Paraná, playing for the Toledo team. George and Fabinho, meanwhile, excelled at América, where Xandó also had a successful stint in 2007, and Paulinho was at rival Vasco. Center Gabriel, one of the remaining players from the championship-winning squad, praised the signings and is confident of good results. "Our core is strong. I don't like to compare ourselves to other teams, but I believe we have a good chance. The players who stayed have great quality, as do those who have arrived recently. We're going to do well," he said. Xandó, who played for Flamengo for eight years, only leaving in 2003 because the club decided to stop competing in adult competitions, is happy to return to the Rubro-Negro. Despite the financial crisis at Gávea and the lack of professional structure, he believes he will have a good chance to showcase his talent. "Flamengo is a great showcase, especially now that they have won the state championship. We are all aware of the difficult times the club has been going through, but I believe this is a great opportunity," he stated. HappyXandó's affection for Flamengo is justified, and his return is more than understandable. It was precisely at Ginásio Hélio Maurício that he took his first steps in futsal, under the guidance of Luiz Antônio, then the club's coach and now its futsal coordinator. Furthermore, the physical trainer, Mário, also worked with him for four years, not to mention the players he also played alongside. "The impression we had on our first day of work was great. It's great to be back, to see friends again; I already knew some of the players, as well as Luiz, who was my first coach, and Mário, who worked with me for a long time. It's going to be a very good season, I'm sure," he adds. Flamengo debuts at the Metropolitano against Grajaú, away from home, likely on March 12th.