Futsal/Indoor Soccer World News - February 12, 2003

News and information on Futsal/Indoor Soccer from around the World

EUROPE

SPAIN LOOKING FOR SECOND
CONSECUTIVE
UEFA FUTSAL CHAMPIONSHIP
Spain will be looking for their second consecutive UEFA Futsal Championship, as the bi-annual event takes place in Aversa and Caserta, Italy from Feb. 17-24, 2003. The eight-team competition will have two groups of four for the first round with the host Italy earning the number one seed in Group A, while Spain has the same in Group B. The top two teams from each group will advance to the semifinals on Feb. 22. The semifinal winners will battle for the 2003 UEFA title on Feb. 24. Group A, that will be played in Aversa, has Czech Republic, Russia and Slovenia joining Italy, while Group B is composed of Belgium, Portugal, Spain, Ukraine and will have Caserta as the venue.

2003 UEFA Futsal Championship
Groups, Schedule - Local Time Kickoff, Rosters

Group A (Aversa)
Italy
Czech Republic
Russia
Slovenia

Group B (Caserta)
Spain
Belgium
Portugal
Ukraine

Feb. 17
Italy vs. Slovenia - 16:30
Czech Republic vs. Russia - 18:00
Spain vs. Portugal - 19:30
Belgium vs. Ukraine - 21:00

Feb. 18
Italy vs. Czech Republic - 16:30
Slovenia vs. Russia - 18:00
Spain vs. Belgium - 19:30
Portugal vs. Ukraine - 21:00

Feb. 20
Russia vs. Italy - 18:30
Slovenia vs. Czech Republic - 18:30
Ukraine vs. Spain - 21:00
Portugal vs. Belgium - 21:00

Feb. 22
Semifinals:
Winners Group A vs. Runners-up Group B - 19:30
Winners Group B vs. Runners-up Group A - 21:30

Feb. 24
Final: Semifinal Winners - 20:30

Belgium
Goalkeepers ? Luca Cragnaz, Christian Dandoy, Marc Vandecaetsbeek; Defenders ? Mustapha Aabbassi, Karim Bachar, Tim Dewit, Ylias El Haoual, Steve Pouwels; Forwards ? Nouredine El Yahiaoui, Kurt Gessner, Mustapha Harram, Rudi Plompen, Mustafa Toukouki, Tim Vergauwen Coach ? Damien Knabben

Czech Republic
Goalkeepers ? Jiri Hejzlar, Jiri Kaspar, Jan Klíma, Petr Krayzel; Defenders ? Rostislav Broz, Jan Horacek, David Levcík, Roman Mares, Daniel Rajnoch, Tomas Sluka, Martin Speierl; Forwards ? Stanislav Bejda, Vit Blazej, Martin Dlouhy, Petr Hoffmann, Karel Kristen, Oldrich Maly, Michal Mares, Radek Mikan, Roman Musial Coach ? Michal Striz

Italy
Goalkeepers ? Gianfranco Angelini, Francesco Paolo Fradella, Marco Ripesi; Defenders ? Fernando Darley Grana, Carlos Alberto Montovanelli, Marcio Moratelli, Rodrigo Rocha, Salvatore Zaffiro; Forwards ? Andrea Bearzi Piccinini, Adriano Foglia, Daverson Franzoi, Luca Ippoliti, Alfredo Lanza, Marcus Vinicius Lona, Eduardo Carlos Morgado, Edgar Rocha Bertoni, Andrea Rubei, Andrè Mauricio Vicentini,
Bacaro Vinicius Coach ? Alessandro Nuccorini

Russia
Goalkeepers ? Alexey Evteev, Sergey Zouev; Defenders ? Vladimir Grigoriev, Dimitri Gorine, Gennady Ionov, Boris Kupetskov, Igor Nikolaev; Forwards ? Denis Abyshev, Damir Khamadiyev, Serguei Ivanov, Serguei Malychev, Viacheslav Moskalenko, Vladislav Shayakhmetev, Vladimir Stroganov Coach ? Evgeny Lovchev

Portugal
Goalkeepers ? João Benedito, Nuno Rodrigues, Toni; Defenders ? Ivan, Pedro Costa, Sérgio Júnior; Midfielders ? João Leite, João Marçal, Zézito; Forwards ? André Lima, Arnaldo, Formiga, Gonçalo Alves , Joel
Coach ? Orlando Duarte

Spain
Goalkeepers ? Luis Amado, Rafa, Sergio; Defenders ? Adeva, Julio, Kike; Midfielders ? Álvaro, Cobeta, Daniel, Orol, Óscar Redondo; Forwards ? Joan, Javi Sánchez, Merino Coach ? Javier Lozano

Slovenia
Goalkeepers ? Marjan Dermastja, Marko Pungartnik; Defenders ? Danilo Kurnik, Dejan Kraut, Joze Gacnik, Mito Kos, Tomislav Horvat; Midfielders ? Denis Delamea, Senudin Dzafic, Danilo Gucek, Mile Simeunovic; Forwards ? Denis Ibrisimovic, Valdi Lakoseljac, Dejan Simic Coach ? Darko Krizman

Ukraine
Goalkeepers ? Vladyslav Kornyeyev, Olexiy Popov, Vasyl Sukhomlinov; Defenders ? Oleg Bezuglyy, Vitaliy Brunko, Volodymyr Deynega, Olexandr Kosenko, Olexiy Kudlay, Ramis Mansurov, Georgiy Melnikov, Oleg Shaytanov; Forwards ? Serhiy Koridze, Igor Moskvychov, Fedir Pylypiv, Sergiy Sytin, Serhiy Usakovskyy, Yuriy Usakovskyy Coach ? Hennady Lysenchuk

FUTSAL PLANET.COM TO ANNOUNCE ?2002 WORLD PLAYER OF THE YEAR?
Futsal Planet?s website (www.futsalplanet.com) will announce the ?2002 World Player of the Year? on Feb. 16, 2003. For a third consecutive year, Futsal Coaches, Federation Presidents, Journalists and Press Officers from around the world voted to select the best player in the world. The voting process featured 10 points for the first player on the ballot, while the second gets seven. The third pick received five points, while the fourth and fifth players each got three and one point respectively. The ?2001 World Player of the Year? went to midfielder Manuel Tobias of Brazil with a total of 296 points. Forward Javi Rodriguez of Spain took second with 259 points, while Spanish midfielder Daniel Ibañes Caetano finished third in the voting ballot with 197 points. The first edition of the Futsal Planet Award went to Manuel Tobias in 2000.

UKRAINE WINS OPENER AGAINST BELARUS
In preparations for the upcoming 2003 UEFA Futsal Championship, Ukraine opened a two-game international friendly series with a 4:1 victory over the host Belarus on Feb. 11. Two tallies by defender Oleg Shaytanov and one each from forwards Fedir Pylypiv and Sergiy Sytin led Ukraine to the win in Gomel. Both teams will meet again in Gomel, Belarus on Feb. 12.

RUSSIA TROUNCES POLAND TWICE
Russia?s Futsal National Team trounced Poland by outscoring them 18-3 in a two-game international friendly series held in Moscow from Feb. 5-6. Two goals by defender Igor Nikolaev led Russia to an 8:2 victory in the first match played at the Kuntzevo Hall on Feb. 5. The following day, three tallies by defender Boris Kupetskov and two by forward Serguei Ivanov paced the host to a 10:1 win over Poland in the second game.

BELGIUM TAKES TWO FROM HUNGARY
Belgium?s Futsal National Team took both home matches against Hungary international series from Feb. 4-5. After posting a 5:4 win in the opener at the Complexe Sportif in Andenne the day before, Belgium won their second straight over Hungary with a 3:2 score at the Het Rooi Hall in Antwerpen on Feb. 5.

SPAIN SWEEPS TWIN-BILL FROM CZECH REPUBLIC
Defending World and UEFA Futsal champion Spain swept a two-game international friendly series from the visiting Czech Republic from Feb. 3-4. Two goals by forward Joan and one by midfielder Álvaro led the host to a 3:0 blanking of the Czechs in the first match at the El Toralín de Ponferrada Hall in Ponferrada, Spain on Feb. 3. The next day, Spain completed the sweep with a hard-fought 3:2 win over the Czech Republic on Príncipe Felipe Arena in Aranda de Duero. Joan scored twice and Álvaro added another in the victory. Javier Lozano?s squad will end their preparations with two more matches as they host Greece from Feb. 12-13.

NORTH, CENTRAL AMERICA

GUATEMALA TO HOST CONCACAF FUTSAL QUALIFIERS FOR 2004 WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP
In one of the decisions made by the Confederation of North, Central American and Caribbean Association Football (CONCACAF) Executive Committee on Feb. 7, in New York City, Guatemala was confirmed as the host site for the qualifying competition for the 2004 FIFA Futsal World Championship. The tournament, which must be played by June 30, 2004, will earn two CONCACAF berths to the 16-team FIFA World Championship that is set for late 2004 at a site to be determined. Guatemala is no stranger to staging international futsal competition having hosted the FIFA World Championship in 2000 and the first CONCACAF tournament in 1996.

ANAHEIM, CALIFORNIA TO STAGE 18TH ANNUAL U.S. FUTSAL NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS IN JULY 2003
The 2003 U.S. Futsal Federation National Championships will be held at the Anaheim Convention Center in Anaheim, California from July 18-20. The 18th annual event will have male and female futsal clubs from around the country competing in various age groups (Under-10, U-12, U-14, U-16, U-19, Open Category). For more information on the 2003 U.S. Futsal National Championships check www.futsal.com.

TEN U.S. PLAYERS NAMED TO WEST, EAST TEAMS FOR 2003 MISL ALL-STAR GAME IN MILWAUKEE
The Major Indoor Soccer League (MISL) announced the squads that will represent the Western and Eastern Conference at the 2003 MISL All-Star Game in Milwaukee, Wis., on Mar. 9. The three-day event hosted by the MISL?s Milwaukee Wave will culminate with the 2003 MISL Legends and the annual league's All-Star Games to played on Mar. 9, at the Bradley Center. Ten current U.S. Futsal National Team players highlight the 2003 MISL all-stars as each conference features five U.S. players. Veteran goalkeeper Victor Nogueira (16 caps), will be the starter in net for the Western Conference, while the defenders Jeff Davis (5 goals, 5 caps) and Troy Dusosky (3 caps) will control the backline. Forwards Todd Dusosky (1 goal, 5 caps) and Greg Howes (2 caps) round out the U.S. players in the west. The Eastern Conference backline will be guided by U.S. Futsal Team Captain Sean Bowers (5 goals, 23 caps). Also on defense for the Eastern squad are John Ball (6 caps), Glenn Carbonara (3 goals, 12 caps), Chris Morman (1 goal, 1 cap), and Pat Morris (2 goals, 2 caps). The coaches for the Western and Eastern Conference squads will be announced on Feb. 18, and will be determined by the winning-percentage of the MISL teams through Feb. 16. U.S. Futsal National Team/Milwaukee Wave head coach Keith Tozer currently leads the race with a 22-5 overall ledger in the 2002-03 campaign. For more information on the MISL check www.misl.net.

2003 MISL All-Star Teams
Western Conference
Goalkeepers ? Victor Nogueira (Milwaukee Wave), Nick Vorberg (San Diego Sockers); Defenders ? Lovelace Ackah (Milwaukee Wave), Alejandro Cardenas (San Diego Sockers), Jeff Davis (Kansas City Comets), Troy Dusosky (Milwaukee Wave), Gaston Pernia (San Diego Sockers), Alex Zotinca (Kansas City Comets); Forwards ? Nino DaSilva (Kansas City Comets), Dino Delevski (Kansas City Comets), David Doyle (Dallas Sidekicks), Todd Dusosky (Milwaukee Wave), Carlos Farias (San Diego Sockers), Greg Howes (Milwaukee Wave), Joe Reiniger (Milwaukee Wave), Tatu (Dallas Sidekicks)

Eastern Conference
Goalkeepers ? Peter Pappas (Philadelphia Kixx), Jim Larkin (Cleveland Force); Defenders ? John Ball (Cleveland Force), Sean Bowers (Baltimore Blast), Glenn Carbonara (Philadelphia Kixx), Genoni Martinez (Harrisburg Heat), Chris Morman (Harrisburg Heat), Pat Morris (Philadelphia Kixx); Forwards ? David Bascome (Harrisburg Heat), Denison Cabral (Baltimore Blast), Don D?Ambra (Philadelphia Kixx), Ato Leone (Harrisburg Heat), Marco Lopez (Harrisburg Heat), Hector Marinaro (Cleveland Force), Giuliano Oliviero (Cleveland Force), Joel Shanker (Philadelphia Kixx)

THREE TEAMS REMAIN FOR 2003 QUEBEC FUTSAL CHAMPIONSHIP
FC Dynamites Laval, FC Trois-Rivières, Kodiak Charlesbourg are the three remaining clubs that will battle for the 2003 Quebec Futsal Championship, with the winner advancing to the annual Canadian Futsal Clubs Championship from Mar. 15-16, in Waterloo, Ontario. FC Dynamites advanced to the Quebec final after a 10:5 victory over Cosmos Granby on Feb. 9. Canada Futsal National Team players paced the FC Dynamites? offense as Kyt Selaidopoulos had four tallies, while Justin Coelho and Djamel Laarabi each added two in the victory. FC Dynamites will face the winner of the FC Trois-Rivières-Kodiak Charlesbourg for a berth in the Quebec final.

KYT SELAIDOPOULOS SELECTED AS CANADA?S 2002 FUTSAL PLAYER OF THE YEAR
For a second straight year, forward Kyt Selaidopoulos has been selected as Canada?s 2002 ?Futsal Player of the Year.? Several Futsal Officials from around Canada were involved in the selection. The Montréal Native, who is a member of Canada?s Futsal National Team, has led his the FC Dynamites Laval to the finals of the 2003 Quebec Futsal Championship.

Canadian Futsal Player
2002 ? Kyt Selaidopoulos
2001 ? Kyt Selaidopoulos
2000 ? Bruno Nué

BEACH SOCCER

IX BEACH SOCCER WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS TO TAKE PLACE IN BRAZIL
The IX Beach Soccer World Championships will take place at the Copacabana Beach in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil from Feb. 16-23. Eight nations were divided into two groups of four with the defending champion Brazil earning the number one seed in Group A, while 2001 champion Portugal took the top spot in Group B. After the conclusion of round-robin play, the top two teams from each group will advance to the semifinals on Feb. 22. The winners will square off for the championship on Feb. 23, while the semifinal losers will play in the third-place consolation match earlier in the day. Brazil captured the VIII Beach Soccer World Championships in Rio de Janeiro, after topping the Portugal in the finals 6:5 on Jan. 20, 2002.

IX Beach Soccer World Championship
Rio de Janeiro, Brazil ? Feb. 16-23, 2003

Group A
Brazil
Spain
USA
Italy

Group B
Portugal
Uruguay
France
Japan

Feb. 16
Brazil vs. Spain

Feb. 18
Spain vs. USA
Uruguay vs. Japan
Portugal vs. France
Brazil vs. Italy

Feb. 19
France vs. Uruguay
USA vs. Italy
Portugal vs. Japan

Feb. 20
Japan vs. France
Italy vs. Spain
Portugal vs. Uruguay
Brazil vs. USA

Feb. 22
Semifinals
Group A Winner vs. Group B Runner-up
Group B Winner vs. Group A Runner-up

Feb. 23
Third Place ? Semifinal Losers
Final ? Semifinal Winners

Information was researched and compiled by Steven Torres.
Next issue will be sent on February 26, 2003