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Eight teams eye final

Finishing touches are being put to the two intriguing mini-tournaments that will decide who will contest the 2002/03 UEFA Futsal Cup final.

Holders involved
Eight club teams are left in the competition including defending champions Playas de Castellón of Spain, who won the inaugural event last year. The first mini-tournament will be played in Charleroi, Belgium, from 18-21 March, with the second following in Prato, Italy, from 21-24 March.

Tough section
Action 21 Charleroi, the hosts of the first group, were runners-up to Castellón last year and will hope to go all the way this year. They face a tough section though, up against Norilsky Nickel of Russia, Interviu Boomerang of Spain and Croatian contenders MNK Split, who reached the last eight this time last year.

Difficult matches
The second pool sees Italian hosts Prato C/5 welcome FC Shakhtar Donetsk of Ukraine, KMF Niš of Serbia and Montenegro and, of course, Castellón. With the national teams of Italy, Ukraine and Spain all reaching the semi-finals of the recent UEFA European Futsal Championship in Caserta and Aversa, this group promises to go down to the wire.

Trophy decider
The final will be played later in the spring between the two group winners. The first leg should be played between 14 and 20 April with the return following between 28 April and 4 May.


Group A mini-tournament tournament schedule
Date Match Venue and time
18/03/2003 Boomerang v Split Charleroi, 18.00
18/03/2003 Charleroi v Norilsky Charleroi, 20.00
19/03/2003 Nickel v Split Charleroi, 18.00
19/03/2003 Charleroi v Boomerang Charleroi, 20.00
21/03/2003 Nickel v Boomerang Charleroi, 18.00
21/03/2003 Charleroi v Split Charleroi, 20.00


Group B mini-tournament tournament schedule
Date Match Venue and time
21/03/2003 Niš v Castellón Prato, 19.15
21/03/2003 Prato v Shakhtar Prato, 21.15
22/03/2003 Shakhtar v Castellón Prato, 19.15
22/03/2003 Prato v Niš Prato, 21.15
24/03/2003 Niš v Shakhtar Prato, 19.15
24/03/2003 Prato v Castellón Prato, 21.15