Courtesy: The FA.com


Futsal champions crowned

Tuesday, 24 March, 2009

UWE Hartpury and Leeds Met have been crowned BUCS Futsal Champions.

Earlier this month, 16 men’s and eight women’s university Futsal teams descended on Sheffield to contest the 2009 BUCS Futsal Championship Finals. Over two days, the teams competed at Ponds Forge for the right to be crowned as University Futsal champions.

Established Futsal teams such as York, Bath, Teesside, Loughborough and Hartpury were joined by newcomers such as Hertfordshire, Reading, Stirling and Leeds Met – highlighting the impact that Futsal is having in the higher education sector and the potential for the sport to develop in universities across the country.

Day one of the tournament saw the teams competing in qualifying groups of four with Leeds Met and Brunel setting the pace in the women’s Championship, with the former progressing through their group matches without conceding a goal in victories over Bath, Durham and Imperial.

In the men’s Championship, Loughborough, Brunel, Bath. Stirling and UWE Hartpury all impressed on day one; remaining unbeaten heading into the second day of completion. Established teams such as Teesside and York both recorded losses in their groups to leave themselves tough tasks in qualifying for the quarter finals – indicating the high level of competition at the finals.

Day two saw Loughborough progress to the women’s final following knockout victories against last year’s champions Durham and Brunel. In the final, they faced the unbeaten Leeds Met who had advanced after matches against Brighton and Bath, to leave themselves as favourites to claim the title.

The final proved a close contest with Leeds Met going 2-0 up through goals from captain Julie Nelson and Carla Cantrell. With the clock ticking down, Loughborough clawed their way back into the game with a goal from Lauren Hardern who unfortunately injured herself in the act of scoring and played no further part in the final.

Loughborough strived for an equaliser, throwing everything they had at Leeds Met. However the defence held firm to see Leeds Met crowned as BUCS Women’s Futsal Champions 2009.

In the men’s Championship, UWE Hartpury progressed to the final following tense victories against Stirling (courtesy of a winner with just two seconds left on the clock) and Leeds Met in the knockout rounds. They were joined in the final by Bath, who required extra time in matches against Worcester and the impressive Loughborough, to advance through the knockout rounds.

The final was an end-to-end classic with both sides producing excellent Futsal skill and goals. Bath took the lead through Fynn Scheben, extending their lead with a well worked goal form captain Dave Jennings. Hartpury found a way back into the game with goals from Steve Davies and Marc Richards. The excitement continued to 4-4 and with two minutes remaining, extra time seemed almost inevitable.

However, Hartpury surged forward one last time and Jonathan Else made himself the hero, finishing from close range to seal a 5-4 victory and crown Hartpury as BUCS Men’s Futsal Champions 2009.

Speaking about the finals, George Carney, BUCS Football Development Manager, commented: "The Championship Finals have shown the potential that Futsal has to develop in the higher education sector.

"The standard of this year’s finals were even higher than previous years – showing the commitment by many universities to develop the sport amongst their students. Planning is already underway for next year’s regional heats as BUCS aims to produce an even bigger and better tournament for its members."


BUCS Futsal Championship Finals 2009 Summary

Men’s Champions 2009 – UWE Hartpury
Men’s Player of the Tournament – Sion Kitson (Bath)
Men’s Top Scorer – Steve Davies (UWE Hartpury)
Women’s Champions 2009 – Leeds Met
Women’s Player of the Tournament – Sarah Ronald (Loughborough)
Women’s Top Scorer – Sophie Walton (Leeds Met)

The Teams

Women: Brighton, Brunel, Loughborough, Birmingham, Bath, Durham, Leeds Met, Imperial.

Men: Reading, Loughborough, Leeds Met, Southampton Solent, Brunel, East Anglia, Teesside, Bristol, Bath, Brighton, Lincoln, Stirling, Hertfordshire, York, Worcester, UWE Hartpury.

Loughborough, Leeds Met, Southampton Solent, Brunel, East Anglia, Teesside, Bristol, Bath, Brighton, Lincoln, Stirling, Hertfordshire, York, Worcester, UWE Hartpury.








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