The pressure was intense. Under coach Antonio Canetti, Flamengo traveled to Santos, São Paulo, where they competed in the Brazilian Youth Women's Water Polo Championship this weekend, finishing fourth. Paineiras do Morumby won the category for the second time.

The red-black team, whose second-highest scorer in the competition was striker Mariana, showed grit in the matches, but it wasn't enough to achieve a better position.

Flamengo defeated Botafogo 13-6, but let teams like Tijuca and Internacional win comfortably; 8-2 and 12-10.

The most dramatic game for the red-and-black team was against the home team, Internacional. Flamengo started well and even took the lead, with a five-point lead (7-2). But Internacional responded brilliantly and turned the score around, closing the match 12-10.

Photo: Sofia Bittencourt/Water Polo Girls Blog.