Courtesy: UEFA.com


Hermans happy with expanded futsal finals

Thursday 11 February 2010

Vic Hermans, a member of the UEFA technical team at the recent Futsal EURO finals, believes the expansion to 12 teams was a good move and gives his thinking on Spain's continued dominance.

The expansion of the UEFA European Futsal Championship final tournament from eight sides to 12 helped make the competition in Hungary more exciting, believes Vic Hermans, a member of the UEFA technical team.

Hermans, who became Malta coach last year after having previously led his native the Netherlands, has long been a fixture at international tournaments, first as world-class player, then as trainer and technical observer. January's EURO finals in Hungary were the first since an extra four berths were made available in the showpiece and Hermans' initial worries were waylaid.

"There was a feeling that eight teams was not enough, as we had 39 in qualifying, so going to 12 was good," Hermans told UEFA.com. "At the start of the finals I thought the standard wasn't what I expected but in the following games there were very interesting matches. The four groups of three were interesting – that made every game a cup final, and I liked it. We had a couple of countries like the Czech Republic and Portugal who were almost out [in the group stage] but they had to get a result and went for it. That was a success."

Tactically, Hermans noted the increasing use of goalkeepers as part of teams' outfield play. "The Portugal goalkeeper Bebe is a goalkeeper that can play – as a footballer," he said. "Now you see a lot of teams using the goalkeeper to score and control the game. More coaches in future years will do this, also at club level. There are not many [other] very new things but the level of fitness is always increasing, like in football. The game gets faster so you don't see the individual skills quite as much as five years ago."

What definitely did not change was the identity of the winners, with Spain taking a third straight title, their fifth success in seven editions, in which time they have also lifted two FIFA Futsal World Cups. Hermans explained: "After the 1992 World Cup in Hong Kong, Spain began a professional league, they built it into a very strong competition, and one of the other things they get right is the fitness of the team. Their playing style hasn't changed. My opinion is Spain are stronger and others are further away. Russia were the only team that could compare, but Spain have another generation coming through."



Courtesy: UEFA.com


Referee Cumbo bows out at the top

by Paul Saffer

Monday 1 February 2010

Italian match official Massimo Cumbo, who ends his international career by taking charge of the 2010 UEFA European Futsal Championship final in Debrecen, speaks to UEFA.com about how the sport has evolved.

Massimo Cumbo has been among the world's leading futsal referees over the last decade and on Saturday night he ended his major international career on a high.

The 43-year-old Italian took charge of the UEFA European Futsal Championship final between Portugal and Spain in Debrecen, his second such honour after the 2005 edition, not to mention the thrilling 2007 last-four encounter between the Iberian neighbours – a game he described as a "good memory" thanks to the spirit in which it was played. He has also been a referee for every UEFA Futsal Cup final since the first in 2002, but is still as excited as ever to officiate on the big occasion.

"My appointment for the final is definitely the highlight of my career," Cumbo told UEFA.com. "This is a special case as it is the last great tournament of my career. Spain against Portugal always special. This derby is always a match between two of the best futsal schools in the world. I am sure the match will be a great spectacle with a lot of emotions."

As at all UEFA tournaments, the referees have been staying at their own base with their instructors. "The atmosphere during the tournament was great," Cumbo said. "We had the chance to discuss our differing opinions about refereeing. And a great friendship was struck between colleagues from 16 different countries all over Europe. The instructors gave us very good advice. And finally, I am looking forward to refereeing the final with my colleagues Gábor Kovács from Hungary, Stephan Kammerer of Germany and our timekeeper from Finland, Tomi Grönman."

A futsal referee since 1987 and on the FIFA list for 14 years, Cumbo explained the attraction for the small-sided spot. "It is very fast but also very fair," he said. "It means you have the combination of a strong kind of sport, a great spectacle with many goals, but in a gentle spirit. Also I like the contact of the supporters with the teams because they are very close to the pitch. "

Of course, in an evolving sport like futsal, Cumbo has seen things develop in his time as a top referee. "In the last ten years refereeing has changed in the sense of ‘let them play', he said. "It means the referees let the match fly and try not to whistle for every small contact between the players. Also, the referees try to read the match with the slogan, 'wait and see'. It means, the referees wait a few seconds before they decide, because they have the opportunity to give the advantage."


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