After 17 Years, Flamengo Rules Brazil

It felt like it was never going to happen again. It seemed that Brazilian titles were going to be connected forever to the generation of Zico and Junior. But, today, Flamengo fans were released from the past. The most popular side in Brazil took home its 6th national title – the first since 1992.

And ironically, in order to live the present, Fla relied on characters from the past. Adriano returned to the club he loves and was, not only the top striker of the competition with 19 goals, but also one of the best of the entire tournament. Petkovic, the 37 year old Serbian playmaker, returned to Fla in a deal which seemed good only for the player. Fla had a huge sum of money to pay him from past contracts, but he exchanged some of that money for a place in the club when no other team in Brazil wanted him. Many thought he was over. And he conducted Fla with great flair.

But the biggest character of all, and that’s the beauty of it, belongs to the Zico generation. Andrade, the intelligent midfielder who won as a player the titles in 80, 82, 83 and 87, was the coach. And not that he was the first option. In fact, Andrade was an interim who made it happen. It was destiny. His first title as a coach had to be with Flamengo. More than that: Andrade is the first Black coach to win a Brazilian title. Historical, indeed.

This Sunday, 80 thousand fans were at the Macarana waiting for a simple victory against Gremio, a side that had only 1 victory playing away. Not only that, Gremio sent a reserve squad and had very little interest in winning. A victory was going to help Gremio’s main rival, Inter. But Gremio honored its history and made it very hard. With 21 minutes, Roberson opened the score for Gremio. Inter and Sao Paulo were winning their matches. Another Maracanazo? Adriano and Pet did not play well so a supporting character had to show up. It was up to David, a reserve defender who replaced Alvaro, to tie. The fans celebrated, but the title was still with Inter. And things did not change until the half of the second-half.

This time, Ronaldo Angelim, the other defender, wrote his name in the history books. With a header, he scored the goal that gave Flamengo its 6th title.

After that, it was matter of time for the fans to taste the glory again. When Flamengo wins, Brazil gets a bit happier. Congratulations, Flamengo!

Lots of cool pics here

More coverage at Globo.com and UOL.

Related posts:

1. Brasileiro: Sao Paulo or Flamengo?
2. Sad Carnaval for Flamengo
3. Brasileiro: Flamengo and Atletico-MG Want it!
4. The Best of Brasileirao
5. Adriano. Lazy Ass MTF.