Clube de Regatas do Flamengo's greatest asset is its fans. And in 2007, this relationship grew even stronger. What we saw this season was a true love story. The red-and-black fans in the stands identified with the red-and-black fans on the field; there was a feedback loop, and the year ended with the team receiving a standing ovation for the state title, the somewhat honorable elimination from the Copa Libertadores, and a phenomenal run in the Brazilian Championship.

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In 2007, Flamengo's fans once again demonstrated their strength, boasting eight of the ten largest attendances in the Brazilian Championship, as well as the highest average attendance of the competition, with 8 attendees per game at the Maracanã. That year, Flamengo's average attendance was 10, while in the Carioca it was 48.619 and in the Libertadores, 42.015. Also that year, Flamengo's fans were declared a Cultural Asset of the City of Rio de Janeiro and won the Torcida de Ouro Award for the 30.979 Brazilian Championship, presented by the CBF, and the Make a Difference Award from Jornal Globo.

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The year 2007 was met with high expectations by Flamengo fans. The club was returning to the Libertadores after five years away, and to get there, the previous year the club won the 2006 Copa do Brasil against Vasco, a title the club had only won in 1990. Another reason for some excitement among fans was that the club managed to finish the previous Brasileirão in mid-table, a feat not seen in some time when the club finished bottom of the table. Furthermore, the club strengthened its squad to have a good season, and for the first time in a long time, decided to keep the coach for a long period.

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They started the year by winning the Guanabara Cup against Madureira, after beating Vasco on penalties in the semifinals. But the final wasn't as easy as it seemed. The club had already lost 4-1 to Madureira in the first round of the Guanabara Cup and also lost the first leg of the final, 1-0. But in the decisive match, nothing could stop the red-and-black team, which, supported by over 60 fans, won the match 4-1 to become the Cup champion and secure a spot in the Carioca final.

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In the Rio Cup, the club began competing with a reserve team due to the Libertadores. With the reserve team, the club merely appeared in the second phase of the Carioca and did not qualify for the final stage.

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Botafogo won the Rio Cup and went on to face Flamengo in the 2007 State Championship final. Flamengo was the favorite, and many experts considered them the best team in the country. In the Guanabara Cup, the two clubs played a great match that ended in a 3-3 draw, a feat that would remain the same throughout the year. All five of the clubs' meetings ended in draws. After a close first leg that ended in a draw, Botafogo fans were disappointed. They were 2-0 up, but after a goalkeeper error and a penalty kick, which earned Flamengo a red card, Flamengo tied the game.

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In the second match, the General Severiano club started better, but it was Flamengo who took the lead through Souza. The black-and-white team fought back and turned the match around, but the Gávea club came back to get the result. With a goal from outside the box by Renato Augusto, Flamengo tied the game, taking it to penalties. It was there that goalkeeper Bruno began to shine, saving two shots. After Leo Moura converted, Flamengo won the 2007 State Championship in front of more than 63 fans.

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In the Libertadores, after an excellent first phase, finishing first in their group and second in the overall standings, Flamengo traveled to Uruguay to face Defensor Sport in the round of 3. There, they lost their chance to win their second championship, losing 0-60 after a poor performance. In Rio, the fans did their part, packing XNUMX fans into the Maracanã. Despite Renato Abreu's inspired performance, scoring two beautiful goals, Flamengo was unable to make up for the Uruguayan club's advantage, which ultimately resulted in a disputed refereeing decision by Héctor Baldassi at the Maracanã. Flamengo was eliminated from the Libertadores, but despite the loss, the fans gave the players a standing ovation at the end of the match.

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In the 2007 Brazilian Championship, Flamengo had several games postponed due to the 2007 Pan American Games, resulting in the team spending 13 rounds in the relegation zone. Ney Franco was fired, and the club brought in Joel Santana along with reinforcements such as Ibson, Fabio Luciano, and Maxi. Flamengo's fans continued to encourage the team, and the club managed to finish third, making an incredible run, securing a spot in the 2008 Copa Libertadores with a round to spare.

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Other sports: The year was also marked by signings and great results in basketball. Marcelinho Machado, Duda, and company arrived in Gávea and led the red-and-black team to its first National Championship title since it began being organized by the CBB. The trophy only arrived in 2008, but the campaign began the year before.

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Flamengo's heroes on the court also took advantage of this fan movement to embrace the club and were propelled by a sixth player, a tradition also in basketball. In the first half of the year, the team finished seventh in the 2006-2007 national championship, and for the following season, they strengthened their position. It worked, and the team won the Men's State Basketball Championship for the third consecutive time, with a final against Vasco da Gama. The positions were repeated in the State Rowing Championship: Flamengo in first, and Vasco in second. Again.

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The year 2007 was also special for futsal. The club's indoor soccer returned in 2007. The board decided to invest again in the sport. They assembled a young team that competed in the State Futsal Championship in the first half of the year. The team reached the semifinals, where they were eliminated by Cabo Frio. In the second half of the year, the team strengthened to participate in the Carioca Futsal Championship. With players like Michel Marques, goalkeeper Breno, and pivot Sixel, the team won almost every preseason match and performed well in the competition, reaching the semifinals.

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A cradle of talents like Diego Hypólito, Jade Barbosa, Danielle Hypólito, and Victor Rosa, Flamengo is the foundation of Brazilian gymnastics. With all these stars, the Flamengo team was crowned Brazilian champion once again. Its athletes also achieved impressive results in competitions representing Brazil. Diego Hypólito was a Pan American and World champion and has already qualified for the Beijing Olympic Games. His alternate is Victor Rosa. Jade Barbosa also secured a gold medal at the Pan American Games, where Danielle Hypólito also won a silver. Furthermore, two Flamengo athletes, Diego Hypólito and Jade Barbosa, were also nominated for the 2007 Brazilian Olympic Award, with Jade taking the award for best Brazilian athlete of the year, while in the men's competition, the award went to Thiago Pereira.

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The year also marked the launch of Superleague Formula, a motorsports competition between soccer clubs. During the season, held in Europe, Flamengo, represented by driver Tuka Rocha, ended up not doing very well.

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Time of Year: Start at the end of the Brazilian Championship
Character of the Year: Ibson
Game of the Year: Flamengo 2 x 2 Botafogo, second game of the State Championship final
Top Scorer of the Year: Souza, with 15 goals

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To check out all of Flamengo's games in 2007, click here.
For more information about this year, visit this article in Flapédia.
Also remember the 2007 State decision by clicking here.