Courtesy: Xinhua


European Futsal Championship kicks off in Hungary

20/1/2010

BUDAPEST, Jan. 19 (Xinhua) -- The UEFA European Futsal Championship kicked off on Tuesday in Hungary.

Twelve competing teams are split into four groups. The top two teams in each section go through to the quarterfinals next Monday and Tuesday. Debrecen will host the semifinals on 28 January, as well as the final and third-place play-off two days later.

In the opening Group A and Group B matches, hosts Hungary went down 3-1 to Azerbaijan in front of 6,500 home fans in Budapest, while Italy comfortably beat Belgium 4-0 in Debrecen.

Hungary went a goal down within one minute against Azerbaijan, and although they soon equalized, the Azeris scored another two goals to lead 3-1 by halftime, a lead they held until the end.

Azerbaijan, considered by many as dark horses for the tournament, include several naturalized Brazilians such as star players Biro Jade and Thiago in their squad.

One of the pre-tournament favorites, Italy had few problems against the Belgians, scoring two goals in each half to cruise to victory.

Both Hungary and Belgium now have to win their next games against the Czech Republic on Saturday and Ukraine on Thursday respectively to make it past the group stage.

On Wednesday, Spain play Belarus in the Group D opener, while Russia take on Slovenia in Group C.

Futsal, an indoor variant of soccer, is a fast and skillful spectacle in which improvisation, creativity and technique are paramount.

This year's championship will be the sixth since 1999. The games are being held in Budapest and Debrecen, Hungary's second largest city.



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