The University of Bath represented British Futsal last week for the first time at the European University Futsal Championships after coming 2nd in the British University Futsal Championships. At the end of the week Bath finished 13th out of 16 of the best European University Futsal sides which was to their credit as the competition was very tough, with Universities from Spain, Portugal, Ukraine, Croatia and the hosts all featuring National and Professional players in their line ups.

In the group stages Bath were drawn with the University Champions from Ukraine, France and Finland, and all 3 countries have been developing Futsal over a greater peiord than England.

MATCH 1

University of Bath 1 - 3 University of Reims (French Champions)

Bath played France first of all and the University of Reims. It was a tight game where the French dribbling power shone through in the first half. Their ability to beat players in the final third was a constant threat and helped them to build a 2-0 lead. Firstly, via a dubious penalty and then a second with a toe poke passed Dibben in the Bath goal. However, in the second half Bath grew in confidence and Danny Ayash pulled a goal back early on that started a 10 minute spell in which Bath could not find an equaliser but dominated play and territory only to let in a third just before the full time whistle.

With slightly better preparation and quicker movement of the ball Bath could have got something out of this game and were disappointed the way the game ended up.

Match 2

Bath 0 - 10 Sumy State University (Ukranian Champions)

In their 2nd match Bath played one of the favourites from Ukraine.
This was a steep learning curve as the Ukranians took a 6-0 half time lead with their full time players at National League Level dominating possession. In the second half Bath did manage not to concede a goal for the first 11 minutes showing their defensive progress only to fatigue late on leaving the final score in double figures. The game did show how far England is behind in Futsal at all levels from a technical, tactical and even psychological level but was a great experience for the Bath players.


Match 3

Bath 2 - 6 Tampere University (Finnish Champions)

In their final group game Bath played last years runners up from Finland. Another experienced Futsal side where Bath were tested defensively had to adapt well too a technically gifted side on the ball. The Fins passing was elecric yet the Bath diamond held firm for the first 10 minutes until a fluke goal and an eye of a needle pass saw a 2-0 lead open up. It was 5-0 at half time which did not seem entirely fair yet Futsal punishes mistakes at an elite level far greater than in England currently. In the 2nd half Bath began playing more attacking Futsal and got back in the game with an Ian Parkes goal and a nice move finished off by Fynn Scheben at the back post. For the next 5 minutes Bath had a few chances with Filipe Ayash and most notably Mark Ingram having good chances to get further back in the game and by not scoring when on top the Fins cruelly added a 6th but overall Bath won the seond half 2-1 and could take many postives from this game.


Match 4 Bottom Half Quarter Final

Bath 5 - 6 University of Ljlubiana (Slovenian Champions)

This was a cracking match end to end right from the start. The Slovenians opened the scoring on 9 minutes agains the run of play when mishit clerance fell to the Slovenian forward who slotted home from 10 yards passed Dibben in the Bath goal. Sion Kitson then equalised 5 minutes later finishing off a counter attacking move on 14 minutes where Captain Jenning intially had a shot saved. A few minutes later Danny Ayash got the 2nd of his tournament scoring a goal in the bottom corner for Bath from a Ingram pass.

At the start of the 2nd half Bath again pushed on scoring 2 quick goals, with Parkes and Scheben getting goals well taken goals.
However, against the run of play Slovenia knicked a goal on 26 minutes and this changed the game. It was a poor goal from a Bath point of view and within 7 minutes the Slovenians had made it 5-4 scoring 3 more goals as Bath were forced to defend. Yet, with 3 minutes to go Ayash popped up and scored his second of the game to tie the game.
However, in the last minute Slovenia were awarded a 10m penalty which they scored breaking the Bath hearts. This was a game Bath shoudl have won but have to learn quickly to close games out and concentrate for long periods of time without the ball as an offensive weapon.


Match 5
Bath 3 - 1 University of Tartu (Estonian Champions)

Bath finally got to winning ways in their 5th game. They fairly comfortably beat the Estonian Champions who lacked any real attacking prowess throughout the game. Ian Parkes opened the scoring on 9 minutes with a long range effort from in his own half catching the keeper off his line after winning the ball back in his own half. Bath struggled to make it 2-0 missing a host of chances with Bourdin and Jennings going close and were punished on 32 minutes when Estonia eqaulised. Fortunately, straight from Kick off Kitson made it 2-1 with a dribble down the left and a shot that squirmed in at the near post.
Lee Jones in the Bath goal also pulled off some good saves to keep the score at 2-1 and then in the last minute Danny Ayash made it 3-1 giving Bath their first victory away from England. A historic moment in the clubs short history.


Match 6

Bath 3 - 2 Nor. Uni. Science/Technology (Norwegian Champions)

In their final game for placing Bath played a technically sound and strong Norwegian team. In the first half Bath played some great attacking Futsal and every pattern of play developed over the week began to work well. However, they only took the lead right on half time when a great move was finished off by Bourdin back post after Scheben created the goal with an inch perfect pass. At the start of the 2nd half Norway scored two early goals changing the game from sloppy Bath play, not clearing the ball well. Nevertheless, the last 10 minutes was all Bath and Bourdin helped himself to another back post goal thanks to Scheben again before Kitson scored the winner from a corner, slotting the cut back into the bottom corner.

A second victory on the bounce and the team were starting to feel more comfortable on the court and were gelling their quicker style of play well and will be ready to take this into domestic competition on their return to England.

Team: Dibben (GK), Jennings (C), Kitson, Parkes, Lima, Bourdin, D.Ayash, F.Ayash, Jones (GK), Scheben, Ingram

Bath finished 13th overall at these Championships and this is a decent performance for a first time with some very experienced teams with many professional players competing aaainst them. Next year though the team will be looking to go better and finish higher up the placings.







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