Courtesy: UEFA.com


Skorovich certain Russia can challenge

Wednesday 13 January 2010

by Pavel Gognidze

The 1999 UEFA European Futsal Championship winners, Russia finished third in Portugal in 2007 but the success of their clubs MFK Dinamo Moskva and MFK Viz-Sinara Ekaterinburg in winning the UEFA Futsal Cup has ensured that hopes are high as they prepare to kick off the 2010 finals against Slovenia in Budapest on Wednesday. The man that led Ekaterinburg to success in 2008, Sergei Skorovich, took over as Russia coach last year and is setting his sights high in Hungary, adding that the squad's naturalised Brazilian players, like Cirilo and Pula, are integrated enough to enjoy comedy shows in Russian.

uefa.com: Last European championships brought Russia bronze. What are you hoping for this time?
Sergei Skorovich: We set the highest goals, especially because at club level we could not only compete but won the UEFA Futsal Cup twice with Dinamo and Viz-Sinara. Our league is one of the strongest, we have top players. Our task is to unite them and get them to play quality futsal. If we have luck on our side we will challenge for highest spots. If not, what's the point of playing at the European Championship?


uefa.com: What can you say about Group C opponents Serbia and Slovenia?
Skorovich: We have watched tapes of their games. Both teams have plenty of skill; they need to be taken seriously and we need to concentrate in every match. The first game will be especially important. It's not like the whole tournament will depend on how you play, but a good game and good result set a good emotional and psychological background. We are aware that we will be playing teams which are not exactly even with us in terms of class, but there are no weak teams at the European Championship. Futsal is full of surprises and everything can change in split seconds. We understand this and are going into the tournament with a cool head.


uefa.com: In your last match in the December tournament in Belgium, Russia beat the hosts 4-0 and all goals were scored by Brazilian-born players. Are you worried by the team's dependence on naturalised players?
Skorovich: I don't think we're dependent on them. It just so happened that they took their chances and showed their skill.

uefa.com: But is team spirit affected by a group of players who don't really speak Russian?
Skorovich: Well, you're wrong to assume they don't really speak the language. We work without a translator and they understand everything I am trying to convey to them. They joke and laugh, they watch KVN and Comedy Club [Russian stand-up comedy shows]. They speak excellent Russian.


uefa.com: Who do you think are the tournament favourites?
Skorovich: Spain, who are European champions. Italy, who were the finalists last time, but have won the trophy before. Portugal have a quite strong side, while Russia should also be mentioned here. For dark horses I would name Ukraine, who have made progress and who now also get results at club level. Everyone can draw blood. As for the others, any team can potentially be a surprise package.


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