Dear futsal friends,

we've reached the sixth day of the UMBRO Futsal Awards 2008 - 9th Edition by Futsalplanet.com that will celebrate the Best Goalkeeper of the World category winner. Who's the best? Our congratulations to Sergey Zuev!

"Second half" winner
No doubts on the fact that Russia, since some seasons, can count on two top level goalies like the Dinamo Yamal Pavel Stepanov and the Viz-Sinara Sergey Zuev are. If in a first period Oleg Ivanov, former head coach of the Russian national team, seemed to call on Stepanov, the "second half" of this (sane and correct) dualism went to Sergey Zuev, due to his great performances with the Urals club as well as with Russia.

Penalties hero
If you manage to play the UEFA Futsal Cup tournament along your career, that means you're probably an high standard player. If you reaches the final four event, this chance turn into something sure. But what are you supposed to be after saving three penalties in the final match, vs terrific players like Vinicius, Alvaro and Kike? We know the answer: Sergey Zuev was the Viz-Sinara hero (obviously together with other players) and that was the "big moment" of his 2008, taking the Urals underdog to an unexpected and glorious title.

World Cup confirmation
That glory could not be doubled in the Brazil 2008 World Cup, but the fourth place got by Russia just confirmed Zuev as one of the most relevant representatives of the peculiar goalkeepers world. Twelve months of magnificent saves, what Zuev was in need to do in order to become the winner of the Best Goalkeeper of the World category of the UMBRO Futsal Awards 2008 - 9th Edition by Futsalplanet.com!


UMBRO Futsal Awards by Futsalplanet.com

Best Goalkeeper of the World - Winners
2008 -> Sergey Zuev (Viz-Sinara Ek. & Russia)
2007 -> Tiago (Malwee Futsal & Brazil)
2006 -> not celebrated
2005 -> not celebrated
2004 -> Luis Amado (Boomerang Interviu & Spain)
2003 -> Luis Amado (Boomerang Interviu & Spain