Courtesy: UEFA.com


César Paulo leads Benfica celebrations

Monday 23 November 2009

by Carlos Machado from Indoor Pavilhão do SL Benfica

SL Benfica were UEFA Futsal Cup runners-up in 2003/04 and their wait to go one better could end in April after they reached the four-team finals at the weekend.

Ekaterinburg pipped
Benfica were beaten by Interviú Madrid over two legs after their excellent run on their competition debut but since then the Portuguese side have fallen short. However, hosting Elite round Group B at their Indoor Pavilhão do SL Benfica, the Eagles went into Sunday's decider against 2007/08 champions MFK Viz-Sinara Ekaterinburg ahead on goals scored and drew 2-2. Their initial lead through Joel Queirós and César Paulo was pegged back, yet the Russian side could not force a winner.

Celebrations
It will be the first time Benfica have been in the finals since the switch to a four-team format in 2006/07, and never before have a Russian club failed to make it. Celebrations were long and loud in Lisbon. "You tell from my croaky voice because I yelled so much," César Paulo told uefa.com. "It was a historic night. We have to thank many people at this successful hour – players, coaches, directors – and also praise Benfica's board in their effort to help the club compete at the top level."

Holding on
The two-goal cushion that César Paulo built up with his 25th-minute goal proved decisive, but only just. "We had a good advantage and we knew that we had to score a third goal," he said. "In the end it was good victory. We were under the cosh in the final moments because they played with the goalkeeper as a forward but we dealt with it perfectly."

Feat
César Paulo's side have until late April to prepare for the finals against Araz Naxçivan, Luparense Calcio A5 and old rivals Interviú. "I think it's great to have Benfica in the final four competing with Europe's best three teams," he said. "It's a great feat for a club like Benfica. And as we are there we will fight to become European champions, that's for sure."




Courtesy: UEFA.com


Luparense realise their dreams

Monday 23 November 2009

by Rok Sinkovc from Zoppas Arena

Italy have their first representatives in the UEFA Futsal Cup finals since the four-team showpiece was introduced in 2006/07, and Luparense Calcio A5 coach Federico Vidal Montaldo described the decisive 5-4 defeat of ElPozo Murcia FS that earned first place in Elite round Group A as "amazing". uefa.com rounds up the reaction from the Zoppas Arena.

Federico Vidal Montaldo, Luparense coach
That's amazing. I've dreamed about that kind of success. We won the tournament because of good preparation, because we believed in victory in every match. Our brave heart was decisive in this dramatic match against Murcia. We are the first Italian team in futsal history to qualify for the finals and I'm proud that I lead this group of fantastic players. I have to congratulate the Spanish team as we put on a really high-quality match.

Vampeta, Luparense captain
We've been training for this tournament for a long time. Everybody on the pitch knew that only with 100 per cent would be enough to beat very good opponents. We didn't make any big mistakes during the three matches and I'm sure the right team qualified for the European semi-finals. Now we can focus on domestic competition and then prepare even better for the final tournament in April. With that kind of attitude we can win against every team in Europe.

Arceni Junior Barboza, Luparense player
Yes, we were better. I'm proud that we are winners of this kind of tournament where all matches were played at a very high level. We expected the game against Murcia would be decisive. We put all our energy into this match, as did our fans, but we aren't finished. We will go to the final tournament to earn new historic wins for the club. I'd like to meet Interviu Madrid in the semi-finals.







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