Done deal! Kayo Gonçalves is the new reinforcement of FlaBasquete

In the 2024-25 season , Rio de Janeiro will host the Final 4 of the Basketball Champions League Americas (BCLA). The championship's management confirmed that Maracanãzinho will host the finals on April 18 and 19, putting the city back on the world basketball scene. Flamengo will be in action in the second semifinal, facing SESI Franca, in a great clash between Brazilian teams.

Boca Juniors and Instituto de Córdoba will face each other in the first match of this decisive phase. The winners will advance to the grand final, while the losers will play for third place. The team that wins the BCLA title will be guaranteed a spot in the FIBA Intercontinental Cup, a competition that brings together the champions of each continent and which has already seen CRF as champion in 2014 and 2022.

A NEW MOMENT FOR FLAMENGO

Expectations are high, as the Rio de Janeiro club has a tradition in international tournaments and is looking to make its mark once again. This will be the second time that Rio hosts the Final 4 of the championship, emphasizing the city's relevance to South American basketball. Details about ticket sales and the official match times will be released soon. Given that the date falls close to a national holiday, a full house is expected.

AFFIRMATION WITH NEW COMMAND

Mengão arrives at the final stage as one of the favorites, after a consistent campaign in the group stage. The team faced Boca Juniors and Toros de Chiriquí, from Panama, finishing in the lead, with six wins and only one loss, precisely to the Argentines. In the quarterfinals, Rubro-Negro had no difficulty in overcoming Paisas, from Colombia, winning both games comfortably. Now, they face a familiar opponent, Franca, three-time NBB champion , who beat Flamengo in two of the last three finals of the national league.

This season, Flamengo and Franca have already met twice, with the advantage going to the Rio de Janeiro team. In the NBB, the red-and-black team won 88 to 65 , while in the Super 8 Cup , the score was even more impressive: 103 to 72. These results give confidence to the team, which is looking to repeat its good performance in April. The expectation is for a great game at Maracanãzinho , with fans filling the gym to support the Pride of the Nation in its quest for yet another title. The Final 4 promises great excitement and could represent another successful chapter in the club's history.

Flamengo is preparing to play its last two home games in the first phase of the New Basketball Brazil (NBB) . The Pride of the Nation will take to the Maracanãzinho court this Thursday (3) and Sunday (6) to face, respectively, São Paulo and Paulistano . Team captain Franco Balbi commented on the team's expectations for two decisive games.

"These are two very important games

"These are two very important games, we want to stay well positioned in the table. We are training hard, preparing ourselves to do our best on the court. We have an important sequence until the end of the qualifying phase and we are always working to get as far as possible" , he said.

LAST CONFRONTATIONS

It is worth noting that FlaBasquete won the last two NBB matches , against Vasco and Botafogo. The squad returned on Monday (31) and began training under the command of Sergio Hernández with a view to the next games.

With five rounds remaining in the qualifying phase, Flamengo will face São Paulo and Paulistano at Maracanãzinho and then play three away games. The team will face Brasília, Bauru and Franca with the mission of securing at least second place overall for the playoffs.

The Mais Querido has 51 points and 75.8% of the points after 29 rounds (22 wins and 7 losses) . It still has a chance to overtake Minas in the lead, but it depends on a combination of results in three rounds. The most plausible objective at the moment, therefore, is to secure second place.

Tickets for both matches are on sale on Flamengo's official platform: ingressos.flamengo.com.br.

FLAMENGO WILL HOST THE FINAL FOUR

As the NBB finals approach, Flamengo is also keeping an eye on the last games of the Champions League of the Americas. Having qualified for the semifinals, the Mais Querido was chosen by FIBA to host the Final Four. The semifinals, third-place play-off and the grand final will be held at Maracanãzinho.

Mengão will play in front of its fans on April 18, against rival SESI Franca. In the first semifinal, Argentines Boca Juniors and Instituto de Córdoba will face each other. The winners will play in the grand final on the 19th, while the losers will fight for third place.

Seeking first place in the NBB standings, Flamengo will host São Paulo on Thursday night (3), at Maracanãzinho . The match will start at 9 pm, and Rubro-Negro will be looking for another victory in the competition. See below where to watch live.

WHERE TO WATCH FLAMENGO X SÃO PAULO LIVE

Flamengo has 22 wins and seven losses in the NBB and will try to return to the top of the competition's standings. Rubro-Negro has 51 points, one point less than the leader Minas, with 52.

Therefore, the red-black fan who wants to follow the Pride of the Nation in another challenge for the NBB, will have three options. This is because the match against São Paulo will be broadcast by FlamengoTV+, SporTV and NBB Basquet Pass .

FLAMENGO'S LAST MATCH IN THE NBB

Last Saturday (29), Mais Querido won 92-85 over Botafogo, at Ginásio Oscar Zelaya, for the NBB. Flamengo recovered in a match that started slowly, had a great last quarter and won the second consecutive classic in the tournament.

Despite the triumph over its rival, Mais Querido still remains in second place in the Novo Basquete Brasil. The Pride of the Nation reached 51 points and has a 75.8% success rate (22 wins and 7 losses).