Courtesy: UEFA.com


Spain score freely as finalists prepare

Wednesday 30 December 2009

Most of next month's UEFA European Futsal Championship finalists have been in friendly action over the last week and holders Spain were in free-scoring form while Russia and Serbia impressed in a tournament in Belgium.

Free-scoring Spain
Since qualifying for the finals in Hungary from 19 to 30 January, Spain have now won six straight friendlies, scoring 43 goals, after beating Uzbekistan, coached by experienced Brazilian Sérgio Sapo, 14-2 and 9-1. In the first game in Ibiza, Kike and Charlie both struck hat-tricks and three other players managed two goals in a clinical performance. The next day in Santa Eulalia it was little different, Juanra leading the way with four goals. Stalwart Kike also struck twice, and he said: "It is important to do well, get a comfortable victory and leave with good feelings. There are games where the gap is too much, but there are always things to do. Especially for young players just starting out and trying to find their place in the squad of 14."

Serbia impress
In Group D in Hungary, Spain will begin against Belarus and the first-time finalists joined Russia and Serbia in Hasselt for a four-team tournament hosted by Belgium. Russia opened the competition with a 5-2 win against Belarus, missing key duo Aleksandr Savintsev and Vladimir Levus, with Cirilo scoring at the start of each half. Serbia beat Belgium 5-0 with a Milan Rakiæ hat-trick and two Mladen Kociæ goals.

Russia prevail
The next day Serbia overcame Belarus 2-0 through Marko Peric and Kocic but they were pipped to the title on goals scored by Russia with their 4-0 defeat of Belgium thanks to Cirilo, Eder Lima, Pula and Robinho. Serbia coach Aca Kovacevic, whose side are in the same European finals group as Russia, said: "Against Belgium, we put on perhaps our best performance this year, but a big score should not deceive us, because we have the opportunity to raise our game further."

Slovenia's mixed fortunes
Alongside Russia and Serbia in Group C in Hungary are Slovenia, and they had mixed fortunes in two home games against FYR Macedonia. In the first game Slovenia, missing Benjamin Melink and Kristjan Cujec, eased to a 6-1 win despite falling behind early on, Damir Pertic equalising before the break and scoring again at the start of the second half, with Miha Osojnik also claiming two goals. However, two days later FYR Macedonia turned the table as after Pertic put Slovenia ahead, the visitors came back to win 5-2.

Azerbaijan victory
Also in action were Azerbaijan, who will take on Hungary in the opening finals game in Budapest on 19 January. They staged a four-team event in Baku and performed well, beating Georgia 7-0 with a Felipe Ribeiro hat-trick, Russian team Kaspi 8-3 and then Turkey 4-3 to lift the trophy, Nilson dos Santos striking his second goal of the game with two minutes left after a 3-0 home lead had been wiped out by Yasin Erdal's hat-trick. Azerbaijan's Rizvan Farzaliyev said: "In psychological terms, of course, it was important to win this tournament. But for us the main thing is to achieve success in January at the European Championship. I think we have prepared well."

For a full list of the 12 finalists' warm-up results and fixtures, click here.



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