Courtesy: UEFA.com


Skorovich takes charge for Russia victory

Friday 13 February 2009

by Dmitry Rogovitsky from Moscow

Sergey Skorovich showed the coaching ability which helped MFK Viz-Sinara Ekaterinburg win the UEFA Futsal Cup as he led Russia to victory in a warm-up tournament for UEFA European Futsal Championship qualifying next month.

Ivanov departure
Oleg Ivanov left the helm of the Russian national team after masterminding their victory at the UEFA European Under-21 Futsal Tournament in St Petersburg in December, and Skorovich was put in temporary charge for this week's four-team event at the Ekaterinburg Palace of Sport, venue for April's UEFA Futsal Cup final four. In the semi-finals Russia defeated 2010 European finals hosts Hungary 8-1 while Croatia lost 1-0 to a Brazilian-infused Russian league selection.

Russia success
After Hungary had pipped Croatia to third place 6-4 on penalties following a 2-2 draw, Russia took on their locally-based rivals for the title, and the national team triumphed 5-1. Viz player Damir Khamadiev scored a hat-trick and also on target was team-mate goalkeeper Sergei Zuev and former Ekaterinburg star Vladislav Shayakhmetov, now with fellow UEFA Futsal Cup semi-finalists MFK Dinamo Moskva, while another of Skorovich's club charges, Konstantin Timoshchenkov, put through his own goal. Skorovich said: "The boys went out to win every match and worked hard in training, and this would make any coach happy."

Spain in form
The eventual permanent Russia coach will lead his side in qualifying Group 7 in France from 19-22 March, with those two nations joined by Slovenia and one of next week's preliminary round runners-up. Croatia, meanwhile, are in a group with the Czech Republic, who defeated Slovenia 6-0 and 2-0 this week. Also in action were reigning European champions Spain, showing prime form with 5-1 and 5-0 wins against Belgium. Slovakia have the task of travelling to Spain next month but can take hope from their two home meetings with Ukraine, in which both teams managed a 4-2 win.

Portugal success
Portugal beat fellow 2007 finalists Romania 4-1 and 4-2, with Gonçalo Alves reaching the 100-cap mark, and while the runners-up in the last edition in Porto, Italy, were not in action, there was a significant development there with the departure of long-time coach Alessandro Nuccorini. The preliminary round kicks off qualifying on Thursday, and the finals will be held in Budapest and Debrecen from 18-30 January 2010, featuring 12 teams rather than the previous eight. For full qualifying draw details click here.








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