Sesc RJ Flamengo secured early qualification for the final of the Campeonato Carioca. This Tuesday (07.10), coach Bernardinho's team beat Tijuca Tênis Clube by 3 sets to 0, with partial scores of 25-21, 25-23, 25-23, in Tijuca, in the return leg of the state championship, played in a triangular format. 

With six points, the red-blacks can no longer be reached by the Tijucanas and will decide the cup against Fluminense, who has seven, next Monday (13.10), at 19 pm, in a location to be defined. Before that, however, the finalists will play the Fla x Flu classic this Thursday (09.10), at 19:30 pm, at Hebraica, to decide the overall leadership and home court advantage in the grand final.

The birthday girl of the day, American outside hitter Simone Lee turned 29 this Tuesday and left the court as the match's top scorer with 17 points. Opposite hitter Tainara scored 14. Simone was excited by the group's energy.

"It's been truly incredible to have the support of this crowd and the strength of these girls. I think it was an important result and a game of learning. We knew how to control the action at the right moments. It was a beautiful birthday present for me," celebrated Simone Lee.

Libero and captain Laís believes the result boosted the group's confidence ahead of the next two classics against Fluminense.

"We did what we had to do. A 3-0 win, but with the certainty that it could have been better. We have to control our mistakes and not let our opponents get ahead, because that makes all the difference. We'll work on that and I believe we'll put in some great performances. We suffered a loss to Fluminense, but we learned from everything that happened. From now on, we'll focus on more good performances to achieve what we want," said Laís.

Check out the Sesc RJ Flamengo game schedule for the Campeonato Carioca

01.10 (Wednesday): Sesc RJ Flamengo 3 x 0 Tijuca Tennis Club - Tijuca Tennis Club
03.10 (Friday): Sesc RJ Flamengo 1 x 3 Fluminense - Tijuca Tennis Club
07.10 (Tuesday): Tijuca Tennis Club 0 x 3 Sesc RJ Flamengo - Tijuca Tennis Club
09.10 (Thursday), at 19:30 pm: Fluminense x Sesc RJ Flamengo - Hebraica
13.10 (Monday), at 19pm: Final - Location to be defined - SporTV2