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Defending champions Flamengo, Vasco da Gama (2012) and Botafogo (2011), to vie for elusive 2nd title in Manaus
Thousands and thousands of Beach Soccer aficionados will attend the 4th annual Copa Brazil in Manaus and witness a spectacular display from the 10 best clubs in Brazil, who will be vying for the cup at the Praia da Ponta Negra. The tetracampeones are just that, champions, and their National beach soccer league is one of the best in the world, which includes many players from the National team including 8 World Cup Champions. The three previous editions have been so competitive and unpredictable that only two players, Fred, and Bruno Malias, and one coach, Gilberto Costa, have won the cup twice.
2011 champions, Botafogo, come to Manaus stocked with amazing international players such as Leandro Fanta (Brazil), Sidney (Brazil) and Alan (Portugal). They will look to recapture the magic that took them to the first ever Copa Brazil title.
Vasco da Gama earned the privilege to hoist the cup in the 2nd annual tournament in 2012 and now they are loaded with Brazilian talents, Jorginho, Betinho and the next generation of Brazilian Beach Soccer players, Bokinha, Lucão, and Mauricinho.
Last year there were well over 30,000 spectators for the final which Flamengo won and this year they are more than poised to repeat. They bring a very tough squad that includes: Bruno Xavier (best player in the world after being awarded the adidas Golden Ball in the last FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup Tahiti 2013), Dino Tambau and Bruno Malias, who are both World Champions with Brazil.
No team is a long shot to capture the cup this year and everyone believes they have the best team and they each actually have a valid claim to that. Sport Recife, runner-ups in 2013, have Ferndando DDI, and Felipe, both stars of the Brazilian National team. Espirito Santo is fielding such Brazilian experienced players as Buru (awarded best player in the world in 2007), Anderson, and Marquinhos. Sampaio Correa came in 2nd place in 2012 and this year they have Datinha and Eudim, both from the Brazil National side. Fluminense has the talents of Benjinha, who is the son of Brazilian Beach Soccer Legend Benjamin, Toinho and Rafael, both contributors to the Brazilian National squad. Manaus, the hosts, play with André, one of the most prolific scorer in Brazilian Beach Soccer history, and Osmar Moreira, “Ozu” (adidas Silver Ball in last World Cup).
The most coveted title in Brazilian club Beach Soccer will begin on Wednesday the 26th of March and the festivities will culminate in an action-packed final on the 30th of March. With raucous crowds and highly skilled players, it is no wonder that this event is a favourite of the fans, players, and coaches.
Here is a list of the groups as well as the schedule:
GROUP A – Vasco da Gama ( RJ ) , Flamengo ( RJ ) , Avai ( SC ) and Vitória ( BA )
GROUP B – EC Manaus ( AM ) , Sport Recife ( PE ) and Fluminense ( RJ )
GROUP C – Botafogo ( RJ ) , Sampaio Correa ( MA ) and Vila Velha ( ES )
Group stage – Day 1 (26.03)
Game 01 / GC – 17:45 – Sampaio Corrêa vs Vila Velhense
Game 02 / GA – 19:00 – Flamengo vs Vitória
Game 03 / GA – 20:15 – Sport Recife vs Fluminense
Game 04 / GB – 21:30 – Vasco da Gama vs Avaí
Group stage – Day 2(27.03)
Game 05 / GC – 17:45 – Botafogo vs Loser of Game 01
Game 06 / GA – 19:00 – Vasco da Gama vs Vitória
Game 07 / GA – 20:15 – Fluminense vs Manaus EC
Game 08 / GB – 21:30 – Flamengo vs Avaí
Group stage – Day 3 (28.03)
Game 09 / GA – 17:45 – Vitória vs Avaí
Game 10 / GB – 19:00 – Botafogo vs winner of Game 01
Game 11 / GA – 20:15 – Flamengo vs Vasco da Gama
Game 12 / GC – 21:30 – Manaus EC vs Sport Recife
Semifinals (29.03)
Game 13 – 15:00 – 1st Group A vs 1st Group B
Game 14 – 16:30 – 1st Group C vs 2nd Group A
Final (30.03)
Game 15 – 8:30 – 3rd Place Match – Loser of Game 13 vs Loser of Game 14
Game 16 – 10:00 – Final – Winner of Game 13 vs Winner of Game 14
