This week is a decisive one for Flamengo, also on the court. The club's futsal team remains in contention for its second state championship. The Gávea team drew 1-1 with Petrópolis in the first semifinal match, played last Friday at Ginásio do América in Tijuca. The second match of the series takes place next Wednesday at 19:30 pm at Ginásio da UCP in Bingen, Petrópolis. The winner will qualify for the final. If the score is tied, the match will go into two five-minute overtime periods, with the team from Gávea having the advantage of a draw.

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Coach Cid Escarlate's team is already preparing for Wednesday's decisive match. A victory will take Mengão to the final. Therefore, the players have been dedicating themselves to their full potential in training to be on par with Petrópolis's professional team and to play an even match against their opponents, who are considered favorites. A good example to motivate the team is precisely the 2008 semifinal. In a similar situation, Flamengo eliminated Teresópolis away from home and reached the final against Cabo Frio to be crowned champion.

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"We know it will be a tough match. Petrópolis has a great team, but we're also working hard. The team has come together and wants to win this second championship. We'll do our best to achieve it," said defender Dudu, captain of last year's title.

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One concern for the red-and-black team is the size of the UCP Gymnasium, which is much larger than the Hélio Maurício Gymnasium in Gávea. Therefore, the coaching staff moved the red-and-black team's training sessions to Rua Bariri, at the Olaria Gymnasium, where the court is larger and similar to the one used by Petrópolis.

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"The court factor is very important. In a larger gym, the team has to move more, run more, both to attack and defend. It's essential that we train in a gym similar to the one we'll be playing in," he added.

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Flamengo should enter the court with Rafael Pazos, Magrão, Michel Marques, Diego Panazio and Antony.