Hello First Division!

photo: Globo.com

With one round left in the second division of Brasileirao, the 3 tickets left for a place in next year’s first division were taken. The clubs promoted are Guarani, Ceara and Atletico- GO. The promotions happened after Figueirense, the only club with chances left, lost at home, which made the other results just a detail.

The return of Guarani is the one this writer expected the most. The 1978 Brazilian champion is full of history and tradition, represented by players such as Careca, Amoroso and Luizao. The last time the club played in the first division was 5 years ago. And 2009 was a crazy year for Guarani. In the state championship, the club was relegated to the second division, but coach Vadao, the guy who first introduced Kaka to the world, reconstructed the team. It was the second promotion in a row of Guarani at the national stage, as last year it was in the third division. Besides Vadao, the credit for the recovery goes to its president Leonel Almeida Martins de Oliveira. Oliveira had two other terms at Guarani – in one, the club lift the 78 trophy; in the other, the club was the 1986 runner-up

Ceara will ensure the Brazilian northeast some first division football next year. With Sport already relegated, and Nautico close to that as well, the gigantic region in Brazil was close to have just side next year (Vitoria). This would’ve been sad. The 1994 Copa do Brasil runner-up has not played in the first division since 1993.

Atletico-GO is the least traditional side of the three, having played the first division only 4 times, the last one being in 1986. The club, however, is the one with less chances of being relegated next year. Why? There’s some people pouring money in the club. Last year, the club took the title of the third division, and, as in the case of Guarani, it is experiencing the second promotion in a row. So next year, there will be 3 Atleticos playing each other: Atletico Mineiro (MG), Atletico Paranaense (PR) and Atletico Goianiense (GO). Besides that, the club will take add to the first division another goalie who scores goals. You may have seen Marcio in action. Rogerio Ceni won’t be alone.

Related posts:

1. Wrapping Up the Second Division
2. Vasco and the State of Second Division
3. Bye-bye Third Division; Hello Second Division
4. A Giant Suffers in Fourth Division
5. Vasco is Back to First Division!