
Soccer
18 Jan 2025 | 06:00 |
FIBA released the dates and location of the last games of the group stage of Champions League Americas 2024/25. With 100% success and first place in Group B already guaranteed, The Pride of the Nation will travel to Buenos Aires in the first weeks of February to "comply with the schedule" in the last games against Boca Juniors (ARG) and Toros de Chiriqui (PAN).
The third and final round of the BCLA is scheduled to take place between the 5th and 11th of February, with Pride of the Nation taking the court on the 9th and 10th. The duels will be based at the Hector Etchart Gymnasium, in Buenos Aires, home of Boca. The team plays most of its games at the Luis Conde gym, 'La Bombonerita', but matches organized by FIBA are usually transferred to Etchart.
Check the match dates below; The times will be made official soon:
February 9 (Sunday): Boca Juniors x Flamengo
February 10th (Monday): Flamengo x Toros de Chiriqui
February 11th (Tuesday) ): Boca Juniors x Toros de Chiriqui
Even though it is already classified in the first position, since it wins the tiebreaker criteria and its rivals can at most draw, Flamengo will enter the court to win the matches. Also classified, Boca certainly does not intend to lose games in front of their fans, which makes the first match the big highlight of the window. Toros de Chiriqui lost all four games and has no chance of qualifying.
The Champions League of the Americas
The top two in each group advance to the stage quarter-finals, which will be played in March in a best-of-three series. The field control in the third game will be defined by the campaigns. In other words, Flamengo has a chance to win first place overall and have an advantage in the knockout stage. Then comes the Final Four with both the semi-final and final in a single game.
In addition to Fla's key, three other groups make up the 2024/25 Champions League of the Americas. They are:
Group A: Real Estelí-NIC, Toros del Valle-COL and Paisas BC-COL
Group B: Flamengo, Boca Junior-ARG and Toros de Chiriquí-PAN
Group C: Minas, Quimsa-ARG and Biguá-URU
Group D: Franca, Instituto-ARG and Leones de Quilpué-CHI
The Rio de Janeiro team heads into the first leg of the Copa Libertadores round of 16 with confirmed absences and doubts about De La Cruz, looking for an advantage at the Maracanã
12 Ago 2025 | 19:08 |
The countdown has already begun for one of Flamengo's most important matches this season: the first leg of the Copa Libertadores round of 16 against Internacional , this Wednesday (13), at 9:30 pm (Brasília time), at Maracanã. The team will have to overcome significant absences and the uncertainty regarding the presence of a starter to seek a positive result at home.
Among the confirmed absences, Erick Pulgar remains out due to recovery from surgery on the fifth metatarsal in his right foot. Another absence is Danilo , who is recovering from a hamstring injury in his right thigh.
Despite showing improvement and already beginning physical therapy on the field, the defender is not expected to return until the weekend. Arrascaeta completes the list of absentees, serving a suspension after receiving his third yellow card against Deportivo Táchira (VEN) in the group stage.
In addition to the confirmed absences, coach Filipe Luís is awaiting a decision on De La Cruz. The Uruguayan midfielder has not played since July 16 due to a problem in his left knee, but trained with the group last Monday (11).
The decision on his participation will depend on training this Tuesday (12). If he is released, the number 18 should be one of the bets to strengthen the creative sector and provide more offensive options. The expectation of his presence moves the fans , who await a definition.
The matchup is particularly important as it's the first knockout match, and Flamengo 's goal is to capitalize on home advantage to build a favorable score. With the Maracanã packed, fans are expecting over 60,000 people.
Teams take to the field this Wednesday (13), at 9:30 pm, looking for a decisive advantage for the return game and keeping the continental dream alive
12 Ago 2025 | 18:37 |
Wednesday night (13) promises strong emotions at Maracanã. Flamengo and Internacional face each other at 9:30 pm (Brasília time) for the first leg of the round of 16 of the Libertadores . Both teams are looking to build a significant advantage for the return leg, keeping alive the objective of continuing in the fight for the continental title.
The Rio de Janeiro club arrives buoyed by its lead in the Brasileirão , despite having played a game less, after beating Mirassol 2-1 last weekend. The result helped improve the mood within the squad, which was coming off an early elimination from the Copa do Brasil against Atlético-MG.
Coach Filipe Luís will have a significant absence: Arrascaeta, suspended, is out of the match. On the other hand, Nico De La Cruz is expected to return to the starting lineup. Thus, Flamengo 's likely starting lineup is: Rossi; Alex Sandro, Léo Pereira, Léo Ortiz, Emerson Royal; Allan, Jorginho, Samuel Lino, Luiz Araújo, Plata; Pedro.
Internacional, on the Colorado side, arrives confident after a 3-1 away win over RB Bragantino in the Brasileirão. Despite their recent elimination from the Copa do Brasil to Fluminense, Roger Machado's team is showing signs of improvement. The likely lineup is: Rochet; Bernabei, Victor Gabriel, Vitão, Aguirre; Thiago Maia, Bruno Henrique, Wesley, Alan Patrick, Bruno Tabata; Borré.
WHERE TO WATCH LIVE
Fans will be able to watch the match on broadcast TV, on Globo, and also on ESPN and Disney+. A full house is expected at Maracanã, with overwhelming support from the red-and-black fans, with over 60,000 people in attendance.
Negotiations could yield more than R$600 million over three years, surpassing previous agreements and strengthening the club's financial stability.
12 Ago 2025 | 17:21 |
The current sponsorship agreement calls for PixBet to pay R$105 million in 2024 and R$115 million in 2025 , with the possibility of automatic renewal until 2027, when the annual amount would reach R$125 million . At the same time, FlaBet, the PixBet division authorized to use the club's brand , will also cease its activities, with expected payments of R$10 million in 2024, R$22.5 million in 2025, and R$25 million in 2026 and 2027.
SuperBet, the new bidder for the mastercard space, is negotiating a contract estimated at over R$600 million over the next three years. If signed, the deal would become the largest ever signed in Brazilian football, guaranteeing significant revenue for the Rio de Janeiro club.
The transition between sponsors is seen as a strategic opportunity to strengthen Flamengo 's financial health. The board intends to direct part of the resources toward strengthening the squad and investing in infrastructure, ensuring competitiveness in national and international competitions.
Even with negotiations at an advanced stage, the club remains cautious to maintain a good relationship with PixBet until the official termination of the contract. The goal is to complete the transition smoothly , ensuring a planned and safe transition.
If finalized, the deal with SuperBet will not only represent the largest sponsorship contract in the country , but will also give Mengão a prominent position in the South American sports scene. The arrival of a new sponsor at this level should further boost investment potential, increasing the team's ability to retain star players and attract key reinforcements.