Post by Golden_Boy™ on Dec 7, 2009 16:52:12 GMT -1
Flamengo Crowned Champions As Coritiba Are Relegated amid Riots
Brasileiro 2009 came to a dramatic close last night with Flamengo pipping Sao Paulo to the Championship, Fluminense surviving by the skin of their teeth and Coritiba being relegated - cue massive riot!
Flamengo ended their 17-year wait for a title last night, as they were crowned Campeonato Brasileiro 2009 Champions after coming from a goal behind to beat Gremio at jam-packed Maracana.
Flamengo had to overcome an early scare when Roberson nipped in to volley home a corner just 20 minutes in. But with supporters fearing the worst, nerves were quickly settled when on-loan Panathinaikos defender David slammed home an equaliser from 12-yards just ten minutes later.
With news of Sao Paulo comfortably ahead in their game against already relegated Sport Recife, a nervous Maracana crowd had to wait until 20 minutes from the end for that all important winner. One of the season’s stand-out performers, 37-year-old Dejan Petkovic, whipped in a dangerous corner that found veteran defender Ronaldo Angelim to head home.
During wild scenes of celebrations at the final whistle, Angelim spoke of his delight and thanked his team-mate for the assist, ‘This is a dream for me as a fan and player of Flamengo. I have to thank Pet [Petkovic] who sent over a marvellous ball for my goal."
The much troubled former Inter Milan striker Adriano was another of the season’s protagonists. He has found a new lease of life since returning to Brazil and ended the campaign with 19 goals. ‘I can hardly believe it, he said. ‘I'm remembering all I went through, I don't even have strength left to celebrate.’
The striker, who has had to overcome a number of personal obstacles over the past few years and who recently spoke of complete retirement from the game due to his ongoing bouts of depression, was clearly overjoyed with his team’s success, ‘"Really, this is a dream, to be a champion again and, above all, to be happy.’
Whilst there were scenes of jubilation in Rio, quite the opposite were taking place in the state of Parana, where the days biggest relegation clash took place. Coming off the back of defeat in the Copa Sudamericana, Fluminense knew a point at Corotiba would be enough to keep them up; while it may just relegate the home-side, and that’s exactly what happened.
Marquinhos 27th minute opener for Flu was cancelled out less ten minutes later by Coritiba’s Pereira, and the game finished 1-1. That result, coupled with Botafogo's 2-1 win over Palmeiras, meant Corotiba were down. While Flu players celebrated their great escape, tensions reached boiling point as Coritba fans invaded the pitch, attacking officials and police. Things got very nasty and the latest reports claim 18 people were hurt in what quickly descended into a full-blown riot.
Náutico and Santo André will join Coritiba and Sport in the second division next season.
Results
Botafogo 2 - 1 Palmeiras
Coritiba FBC 1 - 1 Fluminense FC
EC Vitória 2 - 2 Goiás
Flamengo 2 - 1 Gremio
Gremio 0 - 0 Atletico Paranaense
Internacional 4 - 1 Santo André
Santos FC 1 - 2 Cruzeiro
São Paulo 4 - 0 Sport
Top 4 (Qualified For Copa Libertadores)
1. Flamengo
2. Internacional
3. Sao Paulo
4. Cruziero
Bottom 4 (Relegated)
17. Coritiba
18. Santo André
19. Náutico
20. Sport Recife
Brasileiro 2009 came to a dramatic close last night with Flamengo pipping Sao Paulo to the Championship, Fluminense surviving by the skin of their teeth and Coritiba being relegated - cue massive riot!
Flamengo ended their 17-year wait for a title last night, as they were crowned Campeonato Brasileiro 2009 Champions after coming from a goal behind to beat Gremio at jam-packed Maracana.
Flamengo had to overcome an early scare when Roberson nipped in to volley home a corner just 20 minutes in. But with supporters fearing the worst, nerves were quickly settled when on-loan Panathinaikos defender David slammed home an equaliser from 12-yards just ten minutes later.
With news of Sao Paulo comfortably ahead in their game against already relegated Sport Recife, a nervous Maracana crowd had to wait until 20 minutes from the end for that all important winner. One of the season’s stand-out performers, 37-year-old Dejan Petkovic, whipped in a dangerous corner that found veteran defender Ronaldo Angelim to head home.
During wild scenes of celebrations at the final whistle, Angelim spoke of his delight and thanked his team-mate for the assist, ‘This is a dream for me as a fan and player of Flamengo. I have to thank Pet [Petkovic] who sent over a marvellous ball for my goal."
The much troubled former Inter Milan striker Adriano was another of the season’s protagonists. He has found a new lease of life since returning to Brazil and ended the campaign with 19 goals. ‘I can hardly believe it, he said. ‘I'm remembering all I went through, I don't even have strength left to celebrate.’
The striker, who has had to overcome a number of personal obstacles over the past few years and who recently spoke of complete retirement from the game due to his ongoing bouts of depression, was clearly overjoyed with his team’s success, ‘"Really, this is a dream, to be a champion again and, above all, to be happy.’
Whilst there were scenes of jubilation in Rio, quite the opposite were taking place in the state of Parana, where the days biggest relegation clash took place. Coming off the back of defeat in the Copa Sudamericana, Fluminense knew a point at Corotiba would be enough to keep them up; while it may just relegate the home-side, and that’s exactly what happened.
Marquinhos 27th minute opener for Flu was cancelled out less ten minutes later by Coritiba’s Pereira, and the game finished 1-1. That result, coupled with Botafogo's 2-1 win over Palmeiras, meant Corotiba were down. While Flu players celebrated their great escape, tensions reached boiling point as Coritba fans invaded the pitch, attacking officials and police. Things got very nasty and the latest reports claim 18 people were hurt in what quickly descended into a full-blown riot.
Náutico and Santo André will join Coritiba and Sport in the second division next season.
Results
Botafogo 2 - 1 Palmeiras
Coritiba FBC 1 - 1 Fluminense FC
EC Vitória 2 - 2 Goiás
Flamengo 2 - 1 Gremio
Gremio 0 - 0 Atletico Paranaense
Internacional 4 - 1 Santo André
Santos FC 1 - 2 Cruzeiro
São Paulo 4 - 0 Sport
Top 4 (Qualified For Copa Libertadores)
1. Flamengo
2. Internacional
3. Sao Paulo
4. Cruziero
Bottom 4 (Relegated)
17. Coritiba
18. Santo André
19. Náutico
20. Sport Recife
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