Flamengo's first steps in the 2008 season were very encouraging. The club was coming off a positive year, launching a new project—Flango's online TV channel, FLATV—and the fans were excited. And the team responded well: it had its best start to a year since 1982, winning its first six matches in official competitions and finishing first in Group A of the 2008 Guanabara Cup. After beating Vasco da Gama in the semifinals, the Rubro-Negro won the first-round title against Botafogo, securing its spot in the Campeonato Carioca final.

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At the same time, the team was competing in the Copa Libertadores da América. In the international competition, coach Joel Santana's team also started at full speed. The red-and-blacks gave their opponents no chance, finishing first in their group in the qualifying round and second overall in the tournament's first phase. A second continental championship seemed to be getting closer and closer. Until Flamengo's history met that of América de México.

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The Libertadores and Carioca finals took place in the same week. First came the first leg of the State Championship final. Just like in 2007, the competition was decided between Flamengo and Botafogo. And, as in the previous year, the Mais Querido (Most Beloved) came out on top. This time, with much more ease. On April 27th, Flamengo won 1-0, with a goal by Obina.

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With the advantage established, it was time to turn attention to the Libertadores. And the result was positive again. In the first leg of the round of 4, Mengão defeated the Mexicans heroically 2-3 at Azteca Stadium. A victory that gave the Gávea team more energy to enter the Carioca final with a vengeance. Obina scored twice and Tardelli completed the 1-XNUMX victory for Flamengo, giving Flamengo its second Carioca championship.

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The atmosphere was festive for the second leg of the Copa Libertadores. A two-goal lead, a farewell to coach Joel Santana, the hero of the competition's qualification and the Rio title, who was leaving for the South African national team... Everything seemed to be conspiring for another favorable result for the red-and-black team. But that wasn't what happened. In a packed Maracanã stadium, the team suffered an unbelievable 3-0 defeat and was eliminated from the competition, causing great frustration among its fans.

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In the Brazilian Championship, Flamengo would be led by coach Caio Júnior. Once again, an encouraging start. The club had its best start in the competition, achieving a record of over 80%, but with the opening of the European window, they lost some key players and began to feel the difference on the field. After some mid-season signings, victories returned, but the team wasn't the same as it had been in the 2007 run and the Campeonato Carioca. After a few stumbles, particularly at the Maracanã, Flamengo finished the championship in fifth place, out of the next year's Copa Libertadores. At the end of the year, coach Caio Júnior was fired, and the club hired Cuca to replace him.

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Other Sports: In basketball, the year was unforgettable for Flamengo. The club swept the National Championship, winning its first title with 31 games played and 28 wins. In the South American League, the team had the best campaign in the first phase, beating Sol de América in the quarterfinals and Boca Juniors in the semifinals, but lost the title in the final to Regatas Corrientes after a topsy-turvy match in Argentina. In the Carioca, Flamengo gave no chance to any underdogs. The red-and-black team won the title undefeated, securing its fourth title, a feat the club hadn't achieved since the 50s. At the end of the year, the red-and-black team also announced the signing of center Baby, from the Brazilian national team and, until recently, from the NBA.

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In 2008, Flamengo formed its first-ever women's futsal team and immediately achieved impressive results. The red-and-black team won the Metropolitan Championship, earning an unprecedented title. In the men's competition, 2008 was also a great year for Flamengo futsal. The team won the Ricardo Lucena Cup but was eliminated from the Metropolitan Championship in the semifinals. In the Carioca Futsal Championship, the club won its second title in history, with a group that made history in the sport.

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The pools also went red and black that season. In synchronized swimming, the club won the Brazilian Category Championship, and Mengão athletes achieved outstanding results for the national team. At the 2008 South American Synchronized Swimming Championship, the country won two gold medals on the floor with Giovana Stephan and another gold medal in the team event with six Flamengo athletes representing Brazil. In swimming, Flamengo won the Absolute Carioca Championship for the thirty-third time in history.

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Time of Year: Winning the 2008 Carioca Championship
Character of the Year: obina
Game of the Year: Flamengo 3 x 1 Botafogo, second game of the State Championship final
Top Scorer of the Year: Marcinho, with 17 goals

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To check out all of Flamengo's games in 2008, click here.
For more information about this year, visit this article on Flapedia.
For more information about Flamengo's football this year, just access this link.
Also remember the primeiro and second games of the Carioca Championship final.