Janeiro and Norway, in the middle of the pre-season. However, in official tournaments, the black-and-whites achieved similar results to the previous year. It won the Rio Cup against Fluminense, but was runner-up again against Flamengo. In the Brazil Cup, Botafogo was eliminated for the second time in a row in the semi-finals, this time being defeated by Corinthians on penalties. In the 2008 Sudamericana Cup, the Glorioso fell to another Argentine team, Estudiantes de La Plata, this time in the quarterfinals. In the Brazilian Championship, it finished in 7th place. In 2009, Mauricio Assumpção was elected president of the club and immediately found serious budgetary restrictions to reformulate the team. But even though the team was discredited, it won the Guanabara Cup. In the Rio Cup, the team reached the final, but missed the chance to win the Carioca Championship by losing to Flamengo due to an own goal by defender Emerson. During the first game of the state final, Botafogo struggled when it saw midfielder Maicosuel, the team's best player, and striker Reinaldo injured in the same move and replaced while winning the match. The team eventually succumbed for the third time in the final to Flamengo, after two 2–2 draws, again on penalties. In the Brazil Cup, the team did poorly and was eliminated in the second round to Americano, on penalties. In the Brazlian Championship, the poor start cost the job of coach Ney Franco, who was replaced by Estevam Soares. The campaign continued to be poor and the team frequented the relegation zone for several rounds but managed to secure itself in the 2010 A Series thanks to a victory over title contenders Palmeiras in the last round. The 2010s: A Decade of Ups and Downs In 2010, the club brought in the Uruguayan Loco Abreu, who received the number 13 jersey from Zagallo, which excited the fans. In the Carioca Championship, however, the team suffered a 6–0 defeat against Vasco da Gama in the third round of the Guanabara Cup, which cost Estevam Soares his job, who got replaced by Joel Santana. Joel had already coached the team in 1997 and 2000, winning the state championship in his first stint. When he arrived at Botafogo, he worked on the players' self-esteem, and the team gradually improved its results. A goal by young Caio, who would become known as the "talisman", against Flamengo, put the team