Courtesy: UEFA.com


Spain and Hungary secure wins

Thursday 29 October 2009

It was a busy week of friendlies for several of the UEFA European Futsal Championship finalists, with holders Spain and hosts Hungary securing morale-boosting wins and Portugal being given two tough work-outs by Brazil.

Spain wins
Spain travelled to face 2007 finals contenders Romania and won 6-2 and 3-1. In the first game Fernandao scored a hat-trick and Álvaro, Borja and Juanra added further goals in a game where Spain were four up after ten minutes. The next day Borja, Ortiz and Juanra struck in the first half before Romania pulled one back late on. Coach José Venancio Lopez said: "We have fulfilled the objectives we sought. The work-rate was very good, especially in this second game."

Hungary show form
Hungary welcomed Greece and won 3-1 and 2-1. In the first game at the Papp László Budapest Sportaréna, where Hungary will play their Group A games from 19 January, Tamás Nagy gave the home side the lead and after Greece equalised, Thomas Lódi scored late in each half to secure victory. They then moved to Ulloi and János Madarász and Lódi struck after the break, followed by a Greece consolation. Mihály Kozma‘s side next visit Brazil on 15 and 16 November.

Portugal beaten
Portugal welcomed a Brazil side containing European-based talents this week and lost 4-1 and 3-1. In the opening game in Tondela, Israel gave Portugal the lead on ten minutes but Neto equalised before the break. Vinicius Elías and Wilde both scored in the 24th minute and Israel put through an own goal. The next day in Viseu, Vinícius's opener was cancelled out by Leitão but Ari and Ciço confirmed Brazil's victory but Portugal had run their opponents close in both games. Portugal are in Group D with Spain and Belarus in the finals.

Czechs draw twice
The Czech Republic are among Hungary's Group A opponents and they played out two 4-4 draws in the Netherlands. In the first game the Netherlands led 2-0 at the break but Radovan Kroulík scored on 25 and 29 minutes to equalise and although the home side restored their lead, Michael Belej and Zdeněk Sláma turned the game only for a late Oranje leveller. The Netherlands were ahead twice in the first half but two Lukáš Rešetár goals made it 3-2 to the Czech Republic at half-time. Kroulík increased the lead but the Netherlands fought back to draw as Antoine Merlino won a record 113th Oranje cap. The Czech Republic are scheduled to welcome Russia on 1 and 2 December. Italy played out two wins against fellow finalists Belarus this week, for more details click here.







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