FlaBasquete begins its preparations for the 2026/27 season with two major friendly matches in Uruguay, taking on Peñarol and Biguá at the end of September.
Flamengo‘s basketball team is counting down the days to get back on the court. Aiming to fine-tune tactics and team chemistry, the club has confirmed two international friendly matches on Uruguayan soil on September 28 and 29. The clashes against Peñarol and Biguá mark the squad’s first true test outside of Brazil under head coach Demétrius Ferracciú.
The trip to Uruguay is viewed by the coaching staff as a strategic opportunity to gauge the group’s progress before the start of the Novo Basquete Brasil (NBB) and the BCLA. Rubro-negro fans will be able to follow the team’s performance in real-time on Flamengo TV, via YouTube, which will broadcast both games.
International-level test
The first challenge takes place on September 28 against Peñarol, the current 2026 Uruguayan League champions. With a storied winning history, the Uruguayan club is considered a high-level benchmark for the current stage of Flamengo’s preparations. It is worth noting that the recent head-to-head record is heavily in favor of the team from Gávea, such as the 103-47 rout in 2023.
Regarding expectations for these games, the M360 Team points out that integrating the new signings is the absolute priority:
“Exchanges with traditional foreign teams are fundamental to building rhythm for new players and consolidating the new style of play proposed by the coaching staff.”
Restructuring in Gávea
For the 2026/27 cycle, the Mengão roster has undergone significant changes. Aiming to put behind the inconsistent performance of the previous season—marked by early exits in the NBB and the Copa Super 8—the board has invested in new names, such as Gegê Chaia and Luís Montero.
Conversely, the club has finalized the departures of key pieces, including star player Gui Deodato, as well as Jhonatan Luz, Shaq Johnson, and Kayo Gonçalves. This deep restructuring reflects the pursuit of a new winning mentality, with the objective of reclaiming prominence in both national and continental competitions. The outcome of these friendlies will serve as an initial barometer to see if the new roster is ready for the challenges ahead.
