Flabout

Flamengo star predicts semifinal against Franca and points out: "game starts the same for everyone"

The Mais Querido welcomes the São Paulo team on Friday night (18), for the semi-final of the Champions League Americas, at Maracanãzinho

Flamengo hosts Franca on Friday night (18), for the semi-final of the Champions League Americas (Photo: Reproduction)
Flamengo hosts Franca on Friday night (18), for the semi-final of the Champions League Americas (Photo: Reproduction)

18 Abr 2025 | 07:44 |

Icon Comentário0

One of Flamengo's biggest stars in Basketball, Franco Balbi could be a key player for Mais Querido to help the team become continental champions once again. However, the point guard highlighted in a press conference last Thursday (17) that it will not be because he is playing at home and that Rubro-Negro will not have an advantage against Franca.




The game starts for everyone equally...


" No, I don't think there is any advantage. The game starts for everyone equally. I don't think there is any advantage. We have to make the effort that Flamengo is making to bring this Final Four here, to our home, worthwhile. But with the kind of teams that we have in this Final Four, there is no advantage. And I think that for us it is very important to enjoy the Final Four, to enjoy tomorrow's semifinal ", says Franco Balbi.

FLAMENGO COACH TALKS ABOUT DECISION AT MARACANÃZINHO


Coach Sérgio Oveja also highlighted that Flamengo will not have an advantage even playing at home. The coach of Mais Querido emphasizes that the team will try to use the fans to its advantage , but praised the opponents by stating that they are teams that know how to play under pressure.

" I agree with Franco (Balbi). A court like Maracanãzinho is a court where you play, it's a spectacle. But to not dodge the question, we're going to try to use the energy of the fans, which for us is very special. Everyone knows what the energy of Flamengo's fans is like and we're going to try to use it to play better. They have a lot of experience playing with this pressure against them and they're going to try to do the opposite. They're going to try to use this pressure to play more calmly ," he warns.

FOCUS ON THE NEXT CONFRONTATION

Thus, Flamengo and Franca enter the court on Friday night (18), in a clash valid for the semifinal of the Champions League Americas. The game will start at 9:10 pm and if Rubro-Negro advances, they could face Instituto Córdoba (ARG) or Boca Juniors (ARG) in the grand final .


Flabout

FlaBasquete coach praises reinforcement: “unusual level of leadership…”

The player arrived with promising status after great performances in Argentina and Sergio Hernández did not mince words in praising his talent.

FlaBasquete announced Alex Negrete as a new reinforcement and coach Sergio 'Oveja' Hernández praised the player - Photo: Mariana Sá/Flamengo
FlaBasquete announced Alex Negrete as a new reinforcement and coach Sergio 'Oveja' Hernández praised the player - Photo: Mariana Sá/Flamengo

06 Ago 2025 | 14:23 |

Icon Comentário0

FlaBasquete remains active in the market and announced this Tuesday (5) the signing of Argentine Alex Negrete, 24 years old, who arrives with the direct approval of coach Sergio "Oveja" Hernández . The red-black commander praised the new reinforcement and highlighted the reasons that led to the choice.


Oveja on Alex Negrete, FlaBasquete's new signing: "His mentality is extremely competitive"


According to Oveja, Negrete is more than just a talented youngster—he's an athlete with the potential to be an offensive reference and a leader in the locker room: " Negrete is a young player with a lot of energy who has been improving year after year . He has great scoring ability and demonstrates leadership skills that are unusual for his age. His mentality is extremely competitive," said the Argentine coach.


VERSATILITY IS KEY

Besides being a natural scorer, the new signing won't be limited to just one role on the court. According to Oveja, Negrete is versatile and can play in different positions on the perimeter, adapting quickly to the Brazilian basketball style: " He's ready to take a leap in his career , and Flamengo wants to capitalize on this moment. He's a versatile player who will help us a lot," he added.


REVELATION IN ARGENTINA AND MESSAGE TO THE RUBRO-NEGRA FANS

Negrete excelled at Instituto Córdoba, where he was named the Argentine League's Most Improved Player of the Year and Revelation Player of the Year. Standing at 6'4", the forward averaged 13.6 points, 4.8 rebounds, and 15.5 per game.

Excited about the new challenge, the player sent a message to the Flamengo fans: " Hey, Nation! I'm very happy to say that I'm now part of the Flamengo family . I'm excited to wear the Manto and step onto the court for this basketball giant. See you soon," said the new signing, in a statement on the club's official website.



Flabout

Flabasquete closes deal with Argentine standout for 2025/26

The 24-year-old winger joins the red-black squad after standing out in Argentine basketball and promises to raise the level of the team led by Sergio Hernández

Flamengo completes its basketball squad with the signing of Alex Negrete, an Argentine standout who is strengthening the team this season - photo: reproduction
Flamengo completes its basketball squad with the signing of Alex Negrete, an Argentine standout who is strengthening the team this season - photo: reproduction

05 Ago 2025 | 19:33 |

Icon Comentário0

Flamengo Basketball has officially announced the arrival of another notable name for the 2025/26 season. This is Argentine winger Alex Negrete, 24 years old and 1.92m tall . With a notable stint at Instituto Córdoba in Argentina, the player is considered one of the greatest prospects in South American basketball and completes the group that will compete in major national and international competitions throughout the season.


Negrete was named the Best Young Player and Most Improved Player of the last Argentine championship. During the regular season, he led his team in scoring, averaging 13.66 points per game, along with 4.8 rebounds and a 15.5 efficiency rating.


His performance also stood out in the Basketball Champions League Americas (BCLA), with 10.4 points, 4.2 rebounds and 2.4 assists per game , helping Instituto Córdoba reach the Final Four, played at Maracanãzinho, the stage of the Rubro-Negro's title in the competition.


REVELATION OF SOUTH AMERICAN BASKETBALL

The young winger has already shared his first words as a Mengão athlete: " Hey, Nation! I'm very happy to say that I'm part of the Flamengo family . I'm very excited to wear the Manto and step onto the court for this basketball giant. See you soon!"


FLAMENGO SQUAD FORMED

With Negrete's arrival, Flamengo 's roster for next season is complete. The season premiere will take place in September with the FIBA Intercontinental Championship in Singapore. The team will consist of Alexey Borges, Franco Baralle, Shaq Johnson, Alex Negrete, Daniel Onwenu, Gui Deodato, Jhonatan Luz, Markeith Cummings, Kayo Gonçalves, Ruan Miranda, and Wesley Castro.





Flabout

Flabasquete hosts the LDB stage in Gávea and debuts this Wednesday against Fortaleza

With home games in the second phase of the Basketball Development League, Mais Querido begins its journey against the northeastern tricolor

The Flabasquete U-22 team debuts in the LDB 2025 this Wednesday in Gávea against Fortaleza - photo: reproduction
The Flabasquete U-22 team debuts in the LDB 2025 this Wednesday in Gávea against Fortaleza - photo: reproduction

30 Jul 2025 | 14:00 |

Icon Comentário0

The second phase of the Basketball Development League (LDB), the main youth tournament in Brazilian basketball, began this Tuesday (29). The city of Rio de Janeiro hosts the clashes of group A.2 , with matches taking place at the Hélio Maurício gym, located at Flamengo's headquarters, in Gávea.


Flabasquete makes its competition debut this Wednesday (30), at 2 pm, against the Fortaleza team. The day's round started earlier, with CETAF facing Vasco/Tijuca at 9:30 am. This stage will be played until next Monday (5), with three games scheduled per day.


In addition to Flamengo, CETAF, Fortaleza, and Vasco/Tijuca, other teams also make up this group: Botafogo and UNIFACISA. The red-and-black club plays at home in this stage , after having participated in the first stage in São Paulo, at Paulistano.


COMPETITION SEEKS TO REVEAL TALENTS

Organized by the National Basketball League (LNB) in partnership with the Brazilian Basketball Confederation (CBB) , the LDB's main purpose is to develop young athletes and strengthen the sport's youth ranks. The competition has been an important showcase for discovering new talent.


FLAMENGO TEAM COUNTS JEWELS

Flamengo's squad boasts promising young players such as Renato Nascimento, Leonardo Amorim Sihman, Bruno Gusmão, Jonathas Lira, Matheus Gueiros, Matheus Leoni, Anthony Reyes, Yan Marun, Israel Atademo, Emanuel Fernandes, Lucas Milchevski, and Crysthian Pena. The team is led by coach Christiano Pereira.


envelope SUBSCRIBE NEWSLETTER

envelopeSUBSCRIBE NEWSLETTER


Olivinha asks Flamengo fans for help on social media
Flabout

Olivinha asks Flamengo fans for help on social media

26 Jul 2025 | 09:59

Icon Comentário0
Flamengo is close to Argentine star for the Basketball World Cup
Flabout

Flamengo is close to Argentine star for the Basketball World Cup

25 Jul 2025 | 08:52

Icon Comentário0
Flamengo Basquete has a list of players called up for the Brazilian National Team
Flabout

Flamengo Basquete has a list of players called up for the Brazilian National Team

21 Jul 2025 | 15:24

Icon Comentário0