Greatest Champion, Flamengo seeks its 21st Guanabara Cup to further widen the gap
The traditional Rio trophy will feature a repeat of the 2011 final.
By Lucas Dantas - Flamengo Communications - in
The Guanabara Cup is a Rio de Janeiro thing. There's no point trying to explain it. Only those who are from Rio know. There's the whole political aspect behind it: the state that became a former state, the city that once officially "ruled" the country, the breeding ground for soccer stars, and the trophy that has become a symbol in the state championship.
Fan club members have the pride of playing alongside each victory: the money goes to football and brings more reinforcements, new talent, and infrastructure to the training center. And they also have advantages in official stores to buy the jersey and wear it with pride! Click and join now.
For 100 years, every state in the country has been searching for the formula to decide the best local team each year. In Rio, countless engineering projects have been created, but it has always been there. The Guanabara Cup has never been forgotten or neglected. It's the first title of the year, the first lap of honor, the first joy, and a guarantee of ridicule on the following weekday.
Since 1965, whether as a round or a separate championship, the Guanabara Cup has graced the competition. It possesses a unique Rio glamour. It's utterly exclusive, unlike any other. Already won by Rio's four biggest clubs, one team has given it special attention since its inception: Flamengo.
The Cup's biggest champion by far, with 20 titles, Flamengo takes to the field next Sunday seeking its 21st Olympic victory with GB in hand.
The first time was in 1970, against Fluminense. It wasn't exactly a final, but a single group with six teams, where Mengão finished ahead with nine points, one more than their rival. The final match, at Maracanã, ended in a 1-1 draw, with Fio Maravilha scoring for Fluminense. Over 100 people watched live that match that would be the pilot of a success story. The photo that illustrates this article is of this team, led by Dorival Knipel, known as Yustrich.
Standing: Murilo, Adam, Washington, Tinho, Zanata and Paulo Henrique; Crouching: Ademir, Liminha, Adamzinho, Fio and Arílson.
After the first, the floodgates opened and Flamengo started collecting trophies, becoming five-time champions from 1978 to 1982, and opening up such a lead that they were never caught again, on the contrary.
Remembering
Some of these trophies were special, not only because they were part of the club's glorious history, but also because of the circumstances of the match itself.
That last-minute goal from Tardelli in 2008. Romário's opportunism in 1995. The ball that changed his mind on Cássio's shot in 2001. Roger's consecration in 2004. Throughout the week, we'll look back at some of these matches, to get our engines ready for Sunday.
There are so many memories. The last trophy was in 2014, against Botafogo, and it's been four years since this Olympic lap.
Reissue
Next Sunday will see a final repeat in many ways. Flamengo and Boavista will reprise the 2011 final, including on the same stage.
On February 27, more than 40 fans were at the Nilton Santos Stadium to see Ronaldinho Gaúcho score a stunning free kick in the 27th minute of the second half and secure the trophy for Gávea.
The match will kick off at 17 p.m., and Flamengo will be fighting for its 21st title. Unbeatable in Rio, it will further distance itself from its rivals.
Fan club members have the pride of playing alongside each victory: the money goes to football and brings more reinforcements, new talent, and infrastructure to the training center. And they also have advantages in official stores to buy the jersey and wear it with pride! Click and join now.
For 100 years, every state in the country has been searching for the formula to decide the best local team each year. In Rio, countless engineering projects have been created, but it has always been there. The Guanabara Cup has never been forgotten or neglected. It's the first title of the year, the first lap of honor, the first joy, and a guarantee of ridicule on the following weekday.
Since 1965, whether as a round or a separate championship, the Guanabara Cup has graced the competition. It possesses a unique Rio glamour. It's utterly exclusive, unlike any other. Already won by Rio's four biggest clubs, one team has given it special attention since its inception: Flamengo.
The Cup's biggest champion by far, with 20 titles, Flamengo takes to the field next Sunday seeking its 21st Olympic victory with GB in hand.
The first time was in 1970, against Fluminense. It wasn't exactly a final, but a single group with six teams, where Mengão finished ahead with nine points, one more than their rival. The final match, at Maracanã, ended in a 1-1 draw, with Fio Maravilha scoring for Fluminense. Over 100 people watched live that match that would be the pilot of a success story. The photo that illustrates this article is of this team, led by Dorival Knipel, known as Yustrich.
Standing: Murilo, Adam, Washington, Tinho, Zanata and Paulo Henrique; Crouching: Ademir, Liminha, Adamzinho, Fio and Arílson.
After the first, the floodgates opened and Flamengo started collecting trophies, becoming five-time champions from 1978 to 1982, and opening up such a lead that they were never caught again, on the contrary.
Remembering
Some of these trophies were special, not only because they were part of the club's glorious history, but also because of the circumstances of the match itself.
That last-minute goal from Tardelli in 2008. Romário's opportunism in 1995. The ball that changed his mind on Cássio's shot in 2001. Roger's consecration in 2004. Throughout the week, we'll look back at some of these matches, to get our engines ready for Sunday.
There are so many memories. The last trophy was in 2014, against Botafogo, and it's been four years since this Olympic lap.
Reissue
Next Sunday will see a final repeat in many ways. Flamengo and Boavista will reprise the 2011 final, including on the same stage.
On February 27, more than 40 fans were at the Nilton Santos Stadium to see Ronaldinho Gaúcho score a stunning free kick in the 27th minute of the second half and secure the trophy for Gávea.
The match will kick off at 17 p.m., and Flamengo will be fighting for its 21st title. Unbeatable in Rio, it will further distance itself from its rivals.