Palmeiras 2 x 0 São Bernardo: Verdão is safe game and qualify for semifinal Paulistão

Palmeiras is qualified for the semifinal of the Championship. On Monday, the team led by coach Cuca beat the St. Bernard by 2-0 in Allianz Park. Now the Verdão will duel with Santos for a place in the decision.

The game

Packed for victories and good views of the last matches, the team led by Cuca came motivated on the field. However, it found an organized opponent throughout the first stage was balancing the match after the home team get better. Over the first 45 minutes, the two teams just managed to scare opponents goalkeepers.

At the end of the first half, the palm trees did little took advantage of an opportunity in the dead ball to open the scoring and put fire in the game. Egidio took a free kick from short left end, in the first post, and Alecsandro anticipated to divert head, throwing the ball in the left corner to make Daniel the first.

The two teams returned to the same training for the second stage, but have changed the way to play. With the score in favor, the home team was trying to dictate the rhythm game with the ball at his feet, as the visitors pressed in marking and were in a hurry to tie the match.

With a more offensive team, the St. Bernard just leaving gaps in defense. At the end of the game, Roger Guedes received great pass from Dudu on the right edge of the area and first played at the far post for the arrival of Gabriel Jesus. The young striker came knocking and right sacramented the alviverde victory in his arena.

Palmeiras now faces Santos in Vila Belmiro on Sunday. In the other semifinal, Corinthians receives the Audax on the same day.

Bauru opens advantage against Pinheiros; Flamengo win the Rio Claro

Bauru visited The Pines in Gym Poliesportivo Henrique Villaboim, and dropped in front in the first game of the quarterfinals of the NBB playoffs, winning by a score 95-85.

After come out ahead in the first quarter, the Bauru down production and went into the break at a disadvantage. However, the visitors did a good second half, recovered and managed to turn to win an important away win.

The highlight in the victory of Bauru was the American wing Robert Day, which was the top scorer of the match with 24 points and also had an excellent use, converting 24 of 27 points tempted.

On the side of the Pinheiros, especially the wing / guard Cordero Bennett, who was the team's leading scorer with 19 points, and grab eight rebounds.

The second game in the series of quarterfinals of the NBB, with command of Bauru, takes place next Friday, at 19h (GMT), the Gymnasium Pressure Cooker.

Flamengo wins Rio Claro

Another win away from home was Flamengo. The Rio team visited the Rio Claro, the Gymnasium Felipe Karam, and got the victory in the first game of the quarterfinals of the NBB by 88-79.

After a first very superior room, winning 27-13, Flamengo saw Rio Claro grow during the match, finishing second and third bedroom at the front. However, I know how to manage a good lead and took the victory home.

The highlights of the Rossoneri's victory were the wing Marquinhos , who left the court with 20 points, six rebounds, three assists and three steals, and the owner Rafa Luz, which had a use of 16 of the 18 tempted points (88.9 %).

On the side of the Rio Claro, the wing / pivot Teichmann, who made a double-double with 12 points and 12 rebounds, and guard Eric Tatu, the match scorer with 23 points, were the main names.

The coach of Flamengo, José Neto, commented on the importance of victory. "Every win is important playoff. If you have the chance to win means that you are alive in the series, whether you are behind or in front. Open winning series in the opponent's home is very important, but we know that the next game is even more important. Why not do any good to win here and then lose at home. Let's focus on the next game to try to close in Game 3, "said the coach.

The second game of the series takes place next Thursday (21/04) at 19h (GMT), with command of Flamengo, the Tijuca Tennis Club.

Paraná Clube confirms according to the Interactive Sports

The board of Paraná Clube confirmed the exclusive contract signature in the closed TV with Sports Interactive case from 2019 until 2024 is in the Series of the Brazilian Championship - Tricolor is the club more time playing Serie B after a fall . The agreement, however, guarantees the right to negotiate with broadcast TV and Pay per View.

According to Paranista president, Leonardo de Oliveira, the agreement shows that the club follows prestigious and with good prospects, even away from the first division almost a decade. "When a Sports Interactive size of the station relies on his institution when it invests in its reconstruction, we have to feel honored and very happy. Our work follows in the right direction, "he said.

With the announcement, the Tricolor da Vila is the third club of Curitiba, after Coritiba and Atlético Paranaense, close to the Turner group channel. Paysandu, Sampaio Corrêa, Ceará, Bahia and Joinville, who are also in Serie B, had already closed similar contract.

Scorers, Alecsandro and Gabriel Jesus approve double attack

The duo that secured Palmeiras in the semifinals of the Championship has shown good performance in 2016. With the same nine goals scored, Alecsandro and Gabriel Jesus divide the artillery this season and celebrate the good individual time - contrasting with the hangover the recent elimination.

If the Libertadores is passed, the new attempt to find the Paulista title - after the runner-up in 2015 - animates the cast. After two away games, Gabriel Jesus - boasting average half goal per game this year - approved double with Alecsandro, repeated again for Cuca.

"Not only do I like all strikers have to score goals. It's good to be helping and contributing to play my goal was crafted by Dudu and by Roger [Guedes]. I think me and Alecsandro we are striving very well, "said the shirt 33 in an interview after the game.

Author of the goal that opened the scoring against St. Bernard, and sent the spot in the semifinals of Paulistão Alecsandro missed his father's birthday - Lela, former player - celebrated last Sunday, but justified his absence with an even greater gift for the palmeirense father.

"He birthday yesterday, I was sad not being able to join the party in Bauru, but aware of the importance of today's game. I told him that would be honored with a goal and still well what happened, "said the striker, who referred to his father immediately on arrival at Palmeiras in August 2015.

Using Alecsandro a rearmost way, taking advantage of the technical capacity of the player exchange passes, and Jesus Gabriel looser in the field, Cuca has managed to hit the team in the offensive sector. There are eleven goals scored in the last four games.

"The Cuca're seeing that I can float. I do not care to score, everyone has to help. With the ball at his feet can float and find the hole to give a pass to his companion. In all the games I did so I have had many opportunities today were few and clearest I concluded the goal, "said Gabriel Jesus.

Mavericks win in breathlessness and tie series with OKC

It was in the struggle, however, the Dallas Mavericks achieved an important victory to tie the series of the playoffs in the Western Conference against the Oklahoma City Thunder at 1 to 1. Working out of home in Chesapeake Energy Arena, the Mavs had to wait until the whistle end to celebrate the victory by 85-84.

This is because, in the last move of the match, the pivot Steven Adams sent the ball into the basket, and only after the bid review, the victory could be celebrated by the Dallas team as the player of OKC had thrown the ball already with the reset timer.

The highlight of the victory of the Mavs was the point guard Raymond Felton, who had great performance and was the team's leading scorer with 21 points, and also recovered 11 rebounds. On the side of OKC, winger Kevin Durant, the main name of the team, had a performance below expectations, having an advantage of only 7/33 from the field with 21 points noted. Already the other star of the company, owner Russell Westbrook also not delighted, but still managed a double-double with 19 points and 14 rebounds.

The third game of the series takes place next Thursday at 20h (GMT), at the American Airlines Center, with command of the Dallas Mavericks.

Toronto Raptors ties series with the Indiana Pacers - In duel of the Eastern Conference playoffs valid, the Toronto Raptors beat the Indiana Pacers 98-87 at the Air Canada Centre, and tied the series of clashes in 1-1.

The highlight of the home team was the pivot Lithuanian Jonas Valanciunas, who scored 23 points, the highest scoring team in the game, and grab 15 rebounds. On the side of the Pacers Paul George had 28 points and, as in the first game, was the top scorer of the match. This time, however, his performance was not enough to avoid defeat.

The third game of the series takes place next Thursday, at 20.30 (GMT) at Bankers Life Fieldhouse, with command of the Indiana Pacers.

Cuca reminds partnership with Dorival Junior and asks healthy rivalry in semi

In search of a place in the final of the Championship, Palmeiras and Santos duel next weekend. In fierce rivalry times between clubs, coach Cuca recalled living with Dorival Junior as a player and called for a fair meeting in the semis.

The rivalry between Palmeiras and Santos grew significantly in 2015, the year that the teams decided the Championship and the World Cup in Brazil. Recently, midfielder Lucas Lima used Twitter to make fun of alviverde team.

"The rivalry exists, but it has to be healthy. We must go to the extent that the laws and allow football. We want to play a good game. No use doing different things and end up having players sent off. That's not what we want, "said Palmeiras coach on Monday.

After the last Derby, Cuca came to criticize Lucas Lima for causing his team on social network. After the match against St. Bernard, however, the coach tried to adopt a conciliatory tone and recalled that arrived to work alongside the opposing coach and athlete.

"I love the Dorival Junior is my partner. We played together in the Youth and here at Palmeiras. We will measure forces and hopefully we can come out winners, "Cuca said, laudatory. "I saw the departure of the Saints. Played well, it is an engaging staff and has two more days off than us. Until Sunday, we will be in good condition, "he said.

The clash between Palmeiras and Santos will be the first classic with unique twists, action taken by the São Paulo authorities after the series of clashes that marked the last Derby. With alviverdes vetoed as visitors, coach Cuca lamented.

"Santos will be with his fans and this is an extra motivation. I think ugly, is not legal. For those who like football, the beautiful is healthy confrontation between the twisted. Unfortunately, they did it to seek safety. We understand, but it's not cool, "Cuca said.

A meeting between representatives of the four semifinalists at the headquarters of the Paulista Football Federation (FPF), scheduled for the morning of Tuesday, confirm dates and times of upcoming matches. How has less campaign, Palmeiras will play visitor condition.