Courtesy: UEFA.com


Interviú start year with Super Cup success

Monday 5 January 2009

by Paul Bryan from Madrid

UEFA Futsal Cup semi-finalists Interviú Madrid began 2009 by lifting their first trophy of the year with victory in the Spanish Super Cup at the weekend.

Ninth victory
In a competition involving reigning league champions and Super Cup holders Interviú, Spanish Cup holders ElPozo Murcia FS, last season's third-placed team Benicarló FS and hosts Caja Segovia FS, the capital club were aiming for a ninth triumph in 19 editions. After defeating Benicarló 5-2 in Saturday's semi-finals, Interviú duly beat Segovia 4-3 to succeed again.

Semi-final win
Against Benicarló, Interviú were three up at the break through Betão, Jordi Torras and Gabriel. Xapa pulled one back but Schumacher and Juanra extended the lead before Leandro's consolation. In the other semi-final, 2008 UEFA Futsal Cup runners-up Murcia were 2-0 up after 12 minutes against Segovia and were only 3-2 down with four minutes left. Lin, who had already scored once, then added three more goals late on to secure a 7-4 win, after the game had entered the final minute with his team leading 4-3.

Trophy secure
Interviú were again quick out of the blocks in Sunday's final, Schumacher twice set up by Borja for goals in the fifth minute and Daniel adding a third just before half-time after some fine Luis Amado saves had kept out Segovia. As time ran out Segovia coach Miguel Rodrigo moved goalkeeper Cidão outfield and Roberto Miñambres pulled one back with six minutes left before Nano Modrego reduced arrears further. Interviú held on, however, and in the 39th minute Torras restored a two-goal cushion to ensure Miñambres's second strike was only a consolation.

Confidence boosted
Victorious Interviú coach Juan Luis Alonso said: "Despite the fact that [Segovia] made the game more even with their goalkeeper playing out, we controlled it throughout. We are always expected to win every tournament we enter but it's certain that winning this one will calm us and help to give us more confidence. I'm very satisfied."

European finals
His side resume their league campaign on 17 January against Manacor FS and after 14 of 28 regular season games lead the table by three points from Murcia. They will compete in the UEFA Futsal Cup final four in late April against hosts and holders MFK Viz-Sinara Ekaterinburg, MFK Dinamo Moskva and Kairat Almaty with Interviú aiming to become the first three-time European champions.







Posted by Luca Ranocchiari --> luca.ranocchiari@futsalplanet.com