Courtesy: -> UEFA.com


Skorovich welcomes Europe to Ekaterinburg

Thursday 15 January 2009

by Andrey Tiunov from Ekaterinburg

UEFA Futsal Cup holders MFK Viz-Sinara Ekaterinburg are gearing up the stage this season's final four in April after being named as hosts last month and coach Sergey Skorovich is looking forward to the prestigious event coming to his city.

Showcase
The town to the east of the Urals has embraced the small-sided game, and the 5,500-capacity Ekaterinburg Palace of Sport should be packed for both matchdays when Ekaterinburg take on Russian rivals MFK Dinamo Moskva, two-time winners Interviú Madrid and Kairat Almaty in the knockout event. Skorovich believes the final four event, which was introduced two years ago, is a great showcase for the sport.

'Great event'
"There is no doubt that the UEFA final four is a great event for spectators," Skorovich said. "Everybody can watch almost all the world's top players. For young spectators and young players from our [500-strong] academy, it is the best way to improve their skills. For the team it is extra responsibility and also chance to show their best in front of their fans."

Home comforts?
Both previous final four hosts, ElPozo Murcia FS and Dinamo, have ended up third after defeat in the semis. Skorovich, whose side lifted the trophy at their first attempt last April in Moscow – having never been champions of Russia – is keen to buck that trend. "Of course when 5,000 spectators support your team you have extra motivation," he said. "But the strongest team are always the winners, and it's interesting to note that host teams win tournaments very rarely. So we will try to break this tradition."

Repeat showing
For now Skorovich's priority is the Russian Super League, where they are engaged in a fierce struggle with Dinamo, champions for the last six seasons. But for anyone who felt Ekaterinburg benefitted from luck on their way to the European title last term, he can point to the home Elite round victories against Luparense Calcio A5, Slov-Matic Fofo Bratislava and FC Shakhtar Donetsk in a tough group that took them into the final four again. "Luck is a part of every win," the coach said. "But another part is a hard work. In this year's Elite Round we demonstrated our power and showed everybody that it is possible to repeat our success of last year."









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