In 2009, the Flamengo Regatta Club soccer and rowing teams performed the official Flamengo anthem, composed by Paulo Magalhães and first sung on November 15, 1920, on Paysandu Street, in a 1-1 draw against Palmeiras. The Flamengo athletes fought, always with infinite courage, fervently, with courage and faith, and because of this, the Gávea club became, once again, champions of land and sea (state champions in soccer and rowing).

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The pavilion of our love was hoisted atop the Maracanã and the Lagoa Rowing Stadium on May 3rd and November 15th, respectively. The rowing title, in fact, came as a gift for the club's 114-year history, as the eighth and final regatta of the season was held precisely on the anniversary of Brazil's Most Beloved. This was the 15th time Flamengo has been crowned champion of both land and sea. This feat had previously been achieved in 1920, 27, 42, 43, 63, 72, 74, 78, 79, 81, 86, 91, 96, 2004, 06, and 07.

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Clube de Regatas do Flamengo is the most successful club in the history of both sports in Rio de Janeiro. In rowing, the club holds 44 state titles and in football, 31. Relive these two most recent achievements in this special feature produced by the club's Official Website team, which made 2009 a special year for every red-and-black fan.

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Carioca Football - The 2009 Campeonato Carioca was the 105th edition of the competition, beginning on January 24th and ending on May 5th. This year, the championship again consisted of 16 teams, with the return of the traditional Bangu and the absence of América, relegated last season. Flamengo entered the field as the favorite, the current two-time champion and eyeing its fifth three-peat in its history, in addition to its dominance in the state, having tied the number of titles with rival Fluminense.

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The red-and-black team's campaign began with ups and downs. The start of the Guanabara Cup was a series of victories, against Friburguense, Bangu, Volta Redonda, Mesquita, and Macaé. The team then drew with Boavista and Botafogo before reaching the fateful semifinal on February 21st, against Resende. In a controversial match, with refereeing errors and on an afternoon when nothing went right, the team from the interior won 3-1, which culminated in Flamengo's elimination from the first round of the State Championship.

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Their three-time championship title was beginning to be threatened. In the Taça GB final, Botafogo defeated Resende and secured, for the third consecutive year, their spot in the Campeonato Carioca final. Little did the black and whites know that their opponent and the final result would be the same as the previous two seasons. Flamengo started the Taça Rio with a bang, beating Duque de Caxias and Cabofriense. They then stumbled against Tigres and Vasco, but beat Madureira, got their revenge on Resende, defeated Americano, and, with a 45th-minute draw against Fluminense, advanced to the semifinals.

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Against the same Tricolor das Laranjeiras, they played their best match of the year, already in the rhythm of the farewell of captain Fabio Luciano, who would retire at the end of the tournament. With each player pushing a little harder for the group leader, the team won the match 1-0 and reached the second-round final against Botafogo, in front of over 80 people at Maracanã. Had the black and whites won, they would have been automatic champions. But an own goal by defender Emerson gave the title to Flamengo, who gained morale and went into the State final as favorites.

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From then on, as the saying goes, "they let Flamengo get there." It was written. Just like in 2007, the first title of the three-peat series, two draws in the final matches: 2-2 in both games, meaning the title would be decided on penalties. And in the hands of goalkeeper Bruno, the shots from Juninho and Leandro Guerreiro were stopped, giving Flamengo a 4-2 victory and the historic title of five-time Rio de Janeiro champion, as well as the tournament's most successful team, with 31 titles.

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Learn more about the 2009 Campeonato Carioca on Flapédia: check out all the games of the campaign, the top scorers, the average attendance and the final standings of the competition by clicking here.

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Carioca Rowing – When the eighth regatta of the 2009 State Rowing Championship was scheduled for November 15th, it was a sign that something good was in store for the Flamengo Regatta Club. In the year that the "Most Beloved" assumed dominance in Rio de Janeiro football and later won the Brazilian title again, a title they hadn't won in 17 years, the sport that sparked their passion couldn't be left behind. And it wasn't.

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After leading the Carioca championship almost from start to finish, they won the 2009 state rowing title thanks to the grit and talent of their athletes. The first regatta was held on March 1nd, on the lanes of Lagoa Rodrigo de Freitas. The championship ended in a 22-70 tie, but Vasco da Gama took the trophy for the first of eight stages with a total of 70 points. Flamengo, which won the Four Sculls/Aspiring/Women's, 90-man/Aspiring, 2-man/Junior, Single Sculls/Junior B, and Eight-man/U4 events, totaled 23 points and took second place, followed by Botafogo with 79 points.

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In the second regatta, Flamengo took the lead and never relinquished it. Of the 13 races contested in the 2nd Regatta of the 2009 State Rowing Championship, Flamengo won seven and earned the championship title, along with the Efficiency Trophy. With the result on May 17, the CRF opened up a healthy 26-point lead over second-place Vasco da Gama. On June 14, the third stage, Flamengo once again celebrated at Lagoa Rodrigo de Freitas. With a total of six races won, Flamengo not only secured the Efficiency Trophy but also widened its lead from 26 to 35 points over second-place Vasco da Gama.

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In the fourth race, Flamengo stumbled, and Vasco prevailed, but nothing that could disturb the red-and-blacks' calm lead in the competition, which became even stronger in the fifth stage of the State Championship. Even with one of the 13 races postponed, Flamengo opened up a 53-point lead in the State Rowing Championship on August 8th, winning five of the 12 races held on the tracks of Lagoa Rodrigo de Freitas. The sixth race of the 6 State Rowing Championship was a close affair. Saturday's race ended in a 2009-91 tie, but with one less win (total of five), Flamengo finished in second place and still led the competition.

With just two races remaining, Flamengo was already close to the title, but they suffered a shock in the seventh race. Vasco da Gama was the stage champion, winning the most races and totaling 92 points to the second-placed Flamengo's 79. However, in the overall championship tally, Flamengo remained in the lead with 527 points. Flamengo was right behind with 476. Therefore, the final race was decided by the final race. The celebrations at the CRF nautical headquarters began early with the traditional Alvorada no Remo (Rowing Dawn).

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On November 15th, the celebrations extended to the Lagoa Rowing Stadium. With a total of 601 points and five races won with grit and skill, the Rubro-Negro team was crowned state rowing champion, the sport that gave birth to Brazil's Most Beloved 114 years ago. The temporary Efficiency Trophy was also won by Flamengo. Nothing could spoil the red-and-black party. The Gávea crews were ready and determined to provide the best birthday present.

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A highlight was the beautiful and traditional Open Eight-Skiff race, won by the Cacique Buck crew. Another notable battle is the Women's Four Sculls, also in the Open category. In this race, the quartet of Emanuelle Abreu, Amanda Duarte, Renata Görgen, and Luana Bartholo secured first place. The championship trophy presentation was attended by President Marcio Braga, who made a point of attending and congratulating Vice President of Rowing Raul Bagattini, the coaching staff, and the rowers on another brilliant achievement.