The KTO/Blumenau team went 37 days without playing because of the pandemic and had losses by W.O. Although the qualifying phase was troubled, the team managed to engage in the playoffs and achieve an unprecedented feat. Even the game that classified the team followed this line: In the last quarter, Sampaio Corrêa's team opened ten points ahead, but the Santa Catarina team sought the result and managed to turn the score around in a minute and a half, already in overtime.
“It took a little while for everything to start bearing fruit, the team swayed a little. Today it is more consistent, has a more solid defense, runs more on the court. The seeds that we put there at the beginning, which they watered, and cared for and treated, are now bearing fruit,” illustrates coach João Camargo.
He also explains that this was possible thanks to the dedication and confidence that the athletes had in the proposed work. “We knew that there were teams with much greater investment than ours, with international athletes, with a Brazilian national team player. However, we had a purpose. So, from the beginning, we made a new part, a different game concept, a particular tactic. We changed a lot of things, implemented new concepts and we told them: believe in the process,” he details.
“We are very happy to qualify for the finals of the competition. The LBF is difficult, balanced, however, our athletes assimilated what the technical committee went through and the result is there. I have to recognize the work of our board, parents in general and our sponsors, in particular the KTO, which was essential for us to build a competitive team and reach the final of LBF 2021," highlights president Allan Matos, noting that since March the team receives support from bookmaker KTO.
Cássio Filter, KTO manager for the Brazilian market, emphasizes the identification between the company and the team. “KTO stands for know the odds and the saga of the players over these months embodies this concept. The entire team knew what the real chances were and what had to be done to make that dream possible. Now the result speaks for itself.”
Game schedule
The final between Ituano Basketball and KTO/Blumenau will be played in the “best of five games” scheme, and will follow the schedule below:
Game 1 – 15/8, 2pm
Ditinho Xavier Gym, Itu-SP
Game 2 – 17/8, 7.30pm
Ditinho Xavier Gym, Itu-SP
Game 3 – 22/8, 2pm
Galegão Gym, Blumenau-SC
Game 4 – 24/8, 6.30 (if necessary)
Galegão Gym, Blumenau-SC
Game 5 – 29/8, 2pm (if necessary)
Ditinho Xavier Gym, Itu-SP
Source: GMB
