On August 30, the Santa Catarina Cup kicked off, a tournament that will get the second half of Santa Catarina soccer up and running, featuring traditional shirts and a place in the million-dollar Brazil Cup in 2024. This is the 22nd edition of the tournament, which once again features ten clubs.
The history of the Santa Catarina Cup
The first editions of the tournament were played between 1990 and 1993, then went on a long hiatus, with a few editions played between 1994 and 2005. It was played continuously from 2006 to 2013, but made a strong comeback in 2017 after a three-season hiatus. This season, attention was redoubled by the question of a place in the Copa do Brasil.
With five titles, Joinville and Brusque are the biggest winners, followed by Figueirense with three. Reigning champions Marcílio Dias have two titles.
Regulations and format of the 2023 edition
There are ten clubs that play in the first phase in single rounds, with the top four advancing to the semi-finals, where we have an Olympic cross, with back-to-back matches, as well as the final.
The separate dates for the semi-finals are November 5 and 12, while the final takes place on November 19 and 26.
How the first two rounds went
The last game of the second round will take place on Tuesday, September 12, with Nação Esporte hosting Avaí at the Joinville Arena, but so far only Marcílio Dias have won their two games and are leading the competition, while traditional rivals Joinville have lost both of their games. If they beat Nação, Avaí will also have two wins in the tournament.
Matchday 3 fixtures and predictions
Thursday, 14/09
20:00 - Barra vs Joinville
Stadium: Gigantão das Avenidas
With an under-20 squad and in their first appearance in the competition, Pescador drew 1-1 with Nação in their home opener and were then beaten 4-1 by Chapecoense at the Arena Condá.
JEC, the competition's biggest champions, had a poor State Cup, finished ninth and are trying to save the year with a good campaign in the Santa Catarina Cup. So far, they have lost to Figueirense at home and Marcílio Dias away. These were two heavy opponents, so the time to react is now against Barra, in Itajaí.
Prediction: Joinville to win
Saturday 16/09
15:30 - Figueirense v Chapecoense
Stadium: Orlando Scarpelli
We have a classic in this Santa Catarina Cup. Figueira only avoided relegation in the last round of the Brazilian Serie C and are aiming to "save" the season in the Santa Catarina Cup. Eliminated in the quarter-finals of the state competition, they have the chance to go to the Copa do Brasil. On the bench, Furacão have Paulo Baier in charge. So far, they beat Joinville in their opening game and drew with Hercílio Luz in the second round.
Chape, who are playing in the Brazilian Serie B, will be led by Emerson Cris in the Santa Catarina Cup. As well as using reserves from the first team, he will give the under-20 squad a run-out in the competition. Beaten by Marcílio Dias in their opening game, the team thrashed Barra 4-1 in the second round. The Verdão do Oeste fell in the quarter-finals of this year's state championship.
Prediction: Figueirense to win
Sunday, 17/09
15:00 - Concórdia-Marcílio Dias
Stadium: Domingos Lima
Seventh in this year's Catarinense, Concórdia won a place in the Serie D in 2024, a competition where they fell in the first round in 2023. With part of the squad retained and reinforced by youngsters, the team coached by Lucas Isotton lost to Avaí in their opening game, but beat Inter de Lages in the second round.
Reigning champions of the Santa Catarina Cup, Marcílio Dias got the 2023 edition off to a good start, beating Chapecoense and Joinville. The team is coached by the good Waguinho Dias, a coach with a history at Brusque.
Prediction: Marcílio Dias to win
15h - Nação Esporte v Hercílio Luz
Stadium: Arena Joinville
Nação Esportes, from Joinville, won the Série B this year and will compete in the elite of Santa Catarina soccer in 2024. Founded in 2018, Leão are playing in their first Santa Catarina Cup. They drew with Barra in their opening game and will host Avaí at the Joinville Arena on Tuesday.
Third in the state, Hercílio Luz will return to Serie D in 2024. The team was eliminated from the competition in the second round and kept the base for the SC Cup. There have been two draws so far: 1-1 against Figueirense and 4-4 against Inter de Lages.
Prediction: Hercílio Luz or draw
15:00 - Inter de Lages v Avaí
Stadium: Vidal Ramos Júnior
Runners-up in the second division in 2023, Inter de Lages are back in the elite for 2024. Colorado have yet to win in the tournament. They drew 4-4 in their opening game against Hercílio Luz and lost 3-1 away to Concórdia.
Avaí are in the middle of the Serie B, where they are fighting to stay, but they are taking the Santa Catarina Cup seriously, so much so that they are using reserves from the main squad under the command of coach Eduardo Barroca, who is also the team's coach in the second national division. The team will take to the field for the second round of the competition on Tuesday against Nação. In their opening match, they beat Concórdia 1-0 at the Ressacada.
Predictor: Over 2.5 goals
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