Bucs Finals Preview

by Damon Shaw

With only two days since Sunday’s amazing victory Teesside head to Sheffield to compete in the BUCS Futsal Championship Finals 2010, knowing that it so nearly could have been Stirling in their place. The BUCS finals run for three days at Pond’s Forge International Sports Centre as part of the bigger event, the BUCS Championships 2010.

Kicking off on Wednesday 10th March at 12 noon, the BUCS Futsal Championship finals bring together 16 of the best futsal teams in the UK. From a record number of entries, this is biggest futsal tournament in the UK and the standard continues to improve with no less than three national league teams competing at the finals.

Familiar foes Loughborough, Bath and Hartpury, all semi finalists last year (Hartpury won a thrilling final against Bath) are sure to be favourites for the title once again. Teesside, with eight Boro players in the finals squad have avoided the “big 3” in the group stage.

Teesside’s opposition in the first round comes in the form of BUCS Football Finalists Bournemouth – regulars in the futsal finals, but have never made a mark. Brunel, who inflicted defeat on Teesside in last year’s group, leading to their elimination and Sheffield, with home advantage make up Group B.

Teesside coach Damon Shaw is proud of his boys for reaching the finals and admits that he was contemplating not being in the finals with time running out against Stirling. “We had a lot to do in the last few minutes and it looked unlikely, but we’ve been in similar situations before and it came down to us wanting it more. It was unthinkable that Teesside wouldn’t be at the finals, it is a huge deal for Middlesbrough and Teesside that we are there, I’m proud of them for making it,” he continued.

“We are going to Sheffield to win, and make up for last year’s group stage exit. We’ve got a team capable of going all the way but we won’t underestimate the opposition, most of which are unknown quantities to us, but all earned a place in Sheffield. We’ve trained together all year and are top of the national league north so we’re not worried who we come up against. Nobody will want to play Teesside.”

The squad travelling to Sheffield consists of eight players, seven from the Middlesbrough first team. Pete Bulmer, Jon Prosser, Sean O'Brien, Jason Kilbride, Mikey Roberts, Immy Rashid and Robbie Bettson are joined by Shane Capell, while Saif Al-Harthi and Richard Chantry will join the squad on Friday and Thursday respectively due to other commitments.

The group stage will be completed on Thursday with the knockout stage on Friday. BoroFutsal.com through facebook will have all the results as they happen. Support the boys and become a fan – search Middlesbrough Futsal Club on facebook and twitter.




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