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Fla x Flu is the classic of the classics in Brazilian soccer. Flamengo is the most popular team in this country, Fluminense being the most traditional one.
It's the semifinal match of Carioca Cup (Rio de Janeiro championship) . The winner will face my team, Botofogo, next week. I took my brother Hélder and his children, Caio & Amanda, to watch the battle in the Maracanã Stadium.
My brother is Flamengo supporter, his daughter is Fluminense supporter. One of them will not be smiling at the end of this derby...
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Flamengo is the king of Brazilian hearts, with approximately 33 million supporters.
It's Rio's team of the masses, known as the team of the poor and the blacks, its symbol being a black vulture. Its colors are black & red.
"Win, win and win / once you are Flamengo/ you are Flamengo until you die", says its anthem. |




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Fluminense is thought of as the team of the elite.
It's nickname is 'white powder,' referring to the powder used to lighten the faces of the "not so white" players of an earlier era (only whites from wealthy families were allowed in this exclusive club).
Fluminense means both "fluvial" and natural from Rio (=river) de Janeiro. |














































































































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Game over: Flamengo 1 x 0 Fluminense
Sorry, Márcio. Sorry, Amanda.
Congratulations, Hélder. See you all next Sunday, for the final match: your Flamengo x my (and Caio's) Botafogo... |























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