Cruzeiro became a three-time champion of the Copa Brasil (previously in 2014, 2016) leaving Sesi winless in the final of the tournament for the third time overall. Sesi will have to seek their chance to seize the first trophy in the national competition since 2011 (Superliga winners) in the continuation of the championship.
Sesi and Cruzeiro are well accustomed to facing each other in the finals of the national competitions. Precisely, they met six times for the trophy and Cruzeiro prevailed in five (two of three Superliga finals, two of two in Brazilian cup final, and one of one in Paulista championship final).
Interestingly, there were five Olympic champions of the floor in the cup final (Evandro for Cruzeiro; Lucão, William, Douglas Souza, and Lipe for Sesi) in the gold medal game, all with Brazil national team, and a club who has only one of these in its roster has won the game!
Before the encounter, Sesi gave tribute to their libero Murilo Endres by retiring his jersey with No.8. Murilo, playing as an outside hitter before this season, defends the colors of Sesi since 2009.
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