The 2017 season began for Flamengo's youth football team in the same way the previous year had ended. The club demonstrates that its work continues to be carried out with excellence, and the positive results are a consequence of the vertical methodology implemented from the lowest levels onwards.

After the Under-20 team's impressive run in the São Paulo Cup, which was eliminated by Corinthians in the quarterfinals, it's now time for the Under-15 team to showcase its mettle and prowess. Competing in the Votorantim Cup, considered one of the top competitions in the country, nicknamed the "Brazilian Children's Football Cup," the "Garotos do Ninho" reached the final undefeated. So far, they've played five matches, winning four (over Votorantim, Coritiba, Goiás, and the defending champion, São Paulo, in the semifinals) and one draw, against Bahia, in the first round. The 2015 champion, Flamengo, will attempt to win its second championship title in the history of the championship by facing Palmeiras in the grand final this Sunday, January 22.01, at 9:30 a.m., at the Domenico Paolo Metidieri Stadium, located about 100 km from São Paulo.

"Because it was the first competition of the year, our team had a very anxious and expectant start. Furthermore, in the first few matches, we struggled a bit with the temperature and intensity of the competition, and the tough game played by our opponents. But this fluctuation is normal at this age. The most important thing is that we overcame all the adversity and managed to put Flamengo in another final, which is where this wonderful club always deserves to be," said coach Mário Jorge. 

Pleased with the team's performance in the semifinal against São Paulo, the coach also spoke about his expectations for the competition's grand final: 

"Our expectation for the final is to play another good game. We had our best performance in the semifinal against São Paulo, a great team and, not surprisingly, the current champion of the tournament. We were very consistent throughout the game, made few mistakes and were clinical in the decisive moments, and this gives us great confidence to repeat the same result against Palmeiras, another great team. We're going after this title, to start 2017 on the right foot," concluded Mário Jorge.