STATE CHAMPIONSHIPS FINALS: Half-way done!

By: Bruno Romani | April 28th, 2008

The finals of all major state leagues in Brazil are under way. The first-legs were played this Sunday. Some results were expected, such as the one in São Paulo. Others were complete surprises, like the one in Minas Gerais and Rio Grande do Sul. In Rio and Paraná things cannot be predicted yet.

São Paulo

Palmeiras were the super favorites, and the final score could be no different. In Campinas, home of Ponte Preta, Kléber scored with a header the goal that almost ensured the title to the green team. Next week, Palmeiras can even lose by a 1 goal difference and still it will lift its first division trophy in the century. You will be able to check everything in the Palmeiras blog. (Interesting to see how blogs of Brazilian clubs appear in the Offside only when those clubs are doing well).

Goal: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a9AdSCip4fY

Rio de Janeiro

Flamengo and Botafogo were face-to-face again after the controversial matches that decided the first half of this tournament. Flamengo won the first-half. Botafogo managed to win the second, and now more drama is expected. Joel Santana wants to leave the Mengo before taking the job as the coach of South Africa. And he is half way there. Obina, beloved by fans as an cult player, scored the only goal of the match.

Goal: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Iw2AjL7ncUU

Minas Gerais

The most surprising result happened in Minas Gerais. Yesterday, Cruzeiro learned a lesson: revenge is sweet. And it takes long for it to happen. An year after losing the local championship to rivals Atlético-MG with an humiliated 4-0, Cruzeiro got their two hands on the trophy with an sound 5-0.

Goals: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bvc3tWfCHBs&feature=related

Rio Grande do Sul

The match seemed to ready for the 0-0 in Caxias do Sul. In the last minute, Juventude proved again it ALWAYS beats Internacional. With a header, the locals jumped ahead in the finals of Rio Grande do Sul’s state championship.

Parana

The biggest local derby, Atletico and Coritiba, was back to the headlines. And Coritiba won 2-0.