Red-black futsal maintains its base for 2010
Flamengo renews with Michel and Panazio, standouts from the 2008 state champion team
By From the team at Flamengo's official website - inLittle by little, Flamengo's adult futsal team is taking shape for 2010. President Patricia Amorim and the department's board of directors have committed to the players to pay off the debts from the last administration, and, confident of calmer days in Gávea, a good part of the base squad that won the state championship in 2008 will remain at the club for the season that begins in March.
\Gabriel, Magrão, Rafael Pazos, Dudu, Wallace, Pablo, and Pedro had already been confirmed by supervisor Luis Antônio and coach Cid Escarlate, and on Wednesday night, wingers Michel Marques and Diego Panazio, as well as Gustavo, who had a stint with América, also signed with Flamengo to compete in the 2010 State Championship. Having played at Gávea since 2007, when this team began to be assembled, Michel didn't hide his happiness with the deal.
\"Despite some problems we've had, playing for Flamengo is different. I've been here for three years now, and I believe I'm the face of the club. I hope to stay and win more titles here. We already know each other and we're very close on and off the court, which is very important. This group has always been a winning group, and we're going to win more titles with Flamengo," said Michel.
\Panazio also spoke about extending his contract with the club. A Flamengo fan and a childhood Flamengo athlete, the player revealed his confidence in the project presented to him for 2010.
\"What made me accept was trusting in president Patricia Amorim's word to pay off the debt the club has with the athletes and the affection I have for Gávea, after all I've been playing for Flamengo since I was 11 years old," he explained.
\According to futsal supervisor Luiz Antônio, Flamengo is still looking for other athletes to join the red-and-black squad. Coach Cid Escarlate's plan is to have the group finalized by next week at the latest, so that after Carnival, they can begin training with the ball. Luiz also said the department is already in talks to find a potential sponsor for the team, but things should only progress after the break.