Courtesy: The Linc (open the audio link as well)


Could futsal change the way young footballers play the beautiful game?

by Calum Fuller

March 18, 2010

Futsal is becoming increasingly popular in England. Photo: Jim Elfe
It may be a relatively unknown sport in the UK, but futsal is a sport credited with nurturing and developing the talents of Ronaldinho, Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo and many other exotic talents.
To the untrained eye, futsal appears to be a lot like five-a-side football. There are, however, noticeable differences. The ball is smaller and heavier encouraging good close control and technique. Games are often played at a rapid pace, with clever positional play of high importance.

In this country, it has struggled to take off, with relatively few young English players participating. Yet it is a professional sport in Spain and Portugal, where matches regularly attract crowds of up to 20,000.

The Linc’s Calum Fuller investigates the state of the futsal in England.


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