Courtesy: UEFA.com


Spain hold nerve to down Slovenia

Tuesday 31 January 2012

Slovenia pegged Spain back at the break but Aicardo's shot from distance and two Torras goals gave the holders a winning start.

Spain 4-2 Slovenia

by Paul Saffer from Arena Zagreb

Slovenia did not make it easy but Spain ensured they opened UEFA Futsal EURO 2012 Group B with victory.

Looking for a fourth straight title and meeting a team who had lost all five previous finals games, Spain had to work hard to go ahead through Miguelín only for Alen Fetic to equalise. Aicardo restored the lead, however, and two Torras goals ensured that Slovenia – backed by more than 2,000 fans in Zagreb – will need a result on Thursday against Ukraine.

In the second minute Rok Mordej broke through for Slovenia but could not beat Luis Amado, appearing in his record seventh final tournament. However Spain were in control and Torras hit a post after a neat one-two with Borja. On eight minutes it was Mordej's turn to hit an upright.

Aljosa Mohoric, in Slovenia's goal, did well to stop a Borja flick and he also dived at the feet of late Spain call-up Miguelín. But Mohoric was helpless in the 15th minute when Alemao set up Miguelín to smash in a shot on his Futsal EURO debut.

Within a couple of minutes, though, Rok Grzelj slipped the ball to Fetic, who beat Amado from a tight angle. Spain pressed hard to get their lead back but not even the evergreen Kike could beat Mohoric before the break.

For five minutes of the second half that continued but then from distance another man making his tournament bow as a late injury selection, Aicardo, made it 2-1. Miguelín then turned provider as his cross from the right was turned in at the far post by Torras.

The FC Barcelona man then had his second goal, sweeping in Sergio Lozano's ball following a swift team move. Mordej's fine display was rewarded with a well-struck consolation but Spain may already be through when they take on Ukraine on Saturday.




Courtesy: UEFA.com


Grcic delights Croatia against Romania

Tuesday 31 January 2012

A tournament record crowd of 8,000 was thrilled as Jakov Grciæ struck with five minutes remaining to give the hosts a winning start.

Croatia 2-1 Romania

by Wayne Harrison from Spaladium Arena

Jakov Grcic swept in the winner late on as Croatia marked their first final tournament fixture in 11 years with a narrow victory against Romania to begin UEFA Futsal EURO 2012 in front of a tournament record crowd of 8,000.

In a breathless opening to Group A, the hosts forged ahead to rapturous acclaim early in the second period when Dario Marinovic finished off a swift counterattack. Home hopes seemed to have been dashed by Csoma Alpar's ferocious strike, only for Grcic to make himself the toast of Split five minutes from time.

The first opening came when Romania's Cosmin Gherman set up Florin Matei for a shot which Ivo Jukic saved with an outstretched foot. The same player then dragged an effort across goal following Robert Lupu's clever back-heel.

Croatia were receiving huge roars of appreciation every time they broke, although Vlad Iancu had not yet made a save in anger. At the other end, Jukic beat out Cosmin Gherman's drive and then collected Gabriel Dobre's attempted chip.

The decibel level was raised by Tihomir Novak, who showed good pace to flash a shot wide. It would have been cranked up several notches had Iancu not expertly saved from Marinoviæ and, moments later, Franko Jelovcic.

Lupu rattled the upright before the interval, an attempt followed after the break by Duje Bajrusovic's goal-saving block with his face to somehow thwart Matei at the last. Seconds later Mato Stankovic's side countered, Marinovic finishing off Josip Suton's cross-court pass.

Situ Rivera's charges were fortunate not to fall further behind when Marinovic, having controlled a long pass on his chest, was foiled by Iancu. Out of nowhere, though, Romania levelled, Alpar rifling in Ion Al-Ioani's quick corner. They had not countered on Grcic, though, who swivelled to turn in Novak's pass. Romania now need a result here on Thursday against the Czech Republic, who face Croatia two nights later.



Courtesy: UEFA.com


Spain know Slovenia made it hard

Relief was the dominant emotion as Spain's coach and players looked back at their opening 4-2 defeat of Slovenia, who were proud of their performance and delighted with their travelling fans.

Tuesday 31 January 2012

by Gonzalo Aguado & Rok Sinkovc from Arena Zagreb

José Venancio López, Spain coach
It was really difficult, but we knew it was going to be this way. We had been talking all week; we had the experience of two matches against Slovenia in October. We knew it was going to be a hard game. They have proven that they are a very good squad, and they can surprise anyone. I think all the matches are going to be like this one, very equal. But we are ready for that, we do well on these occasions.

In the second half we had 15 spectacular minutes, when they didn't cause danger. That's an important thing. We can't let them to get into the match. We don't have [injured] Fernandao, but we have other players. Today we knew that transition was going to be key, and [replacement] Miguelín was great in that aspect.

Álvaro, Spain player
We knew it was going to be a hard match. There were many Slovenian supporters, because they are so close to Zagreb. The first half was really complicated, but in the second half we found the path we want to follow in the championship. The Zagreb Arena is really amazing, it deserves to host a final like this.

Sergio Lozano, Spain player
We knew it was going to be difficult, but we managed to win the match with a very serious attitude. I think we deserved victory. It is going to be close between Slovenia and Ukraine, it will be decided by small details. We have to focus on and only think about Ukraine.

Fernandao is a very important loss for the team, because we could play three back and then Fernandao as a striker. But the players who came in did good things. Luis Amado and Kike are very experienced players that give you the cool heads necessary in these kind of tournaments.

Andrej Dobovicnik, Slovenia coach
We had a great battle against Spain until we ran out of steam. It was evident in the second half the difference in physical preparation. In this respect they are much better. And that is understandable, since they are professionals, compared to our players who go to regular jobs and then training. Getting to 1-1 felt excellent, and I'm glad we resisted very well against the world champions.

It was really nice to see 2,000 Slovenians cheering in the stands. They showed again that futsal in Slovenia is very popular. Perhaps it was the largest group of visiting fans ever at a Futsal EURO.

Alen Fetic, Slovenia goalscorer
It was really hard. Spain, of course, are not world champions by chance. But we were able to keep our focus to go toe to toe with them. They scored a couple of goals because of our mistakes. We have to improve our finishing, too many shots were a long way off target. But to score against the world champions is a really special feeling, I felt awesome.

I had a good feeling before the match with Ukraine because we are really motivated and a good group of friends. The Ukrainians have four top players, while the second four from the bench are a bit weaker.

Igor Osredkar, Slovenia captain
I'm not disappointed. Spain are a really top team. The difference in fitness preparation is very obvious. We had two bad minutes in the second half with a lack of concentration.




Courtesy: UEFA.com


Stankovic worn out after Croatia resist Romania

Victorious Croatia coach Mato Stankovic said he felt "drained" after his team resisted a late onslaught from Romania to open their Group A campaign with a tense 2-1 victory.

Tuesday 31 January 2012

by Wayne Harrison & Bernard Jurisic from Spaladium Arena

Mato Stankovic, Croatia coach
I feel drained, it's as simple as that. There was a lot of pressure on us and we didn't expect so many people to attend. Plus, for many of my players it was their first match in a competition such as this. We didn't start very well but after we scored the first goal everything was better.

We defended very well in the last seven minutes when it was five against four [Romania employed a flying goalkeeper], but we didn't do so well on a couple of corners and we didn't stop the Romania No2 [Florin Matei]. We knew he was their best player and in the first half and he was very dangerous for our goalkeeper [Ivo Jukic].

Until now we've only concentrated on Romania but tomorrow when we wake up we'll focus on the Czech Republic. We'll look at some DVDs and we'lll know the best way to go forward.

Jakov Grcic, Croatia goalscorer
It is an amazing feeling to score the winning goal in the first match of the tournament − I dedicate the goal to all of my team-mates. We've prepared for this all year, done a lot of training, played many matches and worked very hard. I've never played in front of 8,000 fans like tonight; this was amazing and they helped us a lot, especially in the last five minutes when Romania played without a [recognised] goalkeeper.

Dario Marinovic, Croatia goalscorer
This was the first big tournament for many of us, so we had some problems at the beginning of the match. As it wore on we were able to relax and play better in front of this big home crowd. This is a big win for us. We now have a few days to recuperate, prepare for the Czech Republic and try to get yet another win.

Sito Rivera, Romania coach
We played too slowly and didn't apply enough pressure. Consequently, the result is correct. We must respond against the Czech Republic. We were nervous and lost possession too often. Croatia, being at home, were more motivated than we were.

The first game in an important competition is always accompanied by nerves. This doesn't change a great deal − we‘re only down slightly on goal difference − but we must win against the Czech Republic and then everything will be OK.

Gabriel Dobre, Romania defender
We were the better team at the beginning of the match but couldn't score during this period. We had our chances but Croatia got the first goal and managed to preserve their advantage.




Courtesy: UEFA.com


Record attendance helps Croatia make perfect start

Goalkeeper Ivo Jukic thanked Croatia's fans for giving us a "boost when we needed it" after a tournament record 8,000 flocked to the Spaladium Arena to watch the hosts defeat Romania.

Wednesday 1 February 2012

by Wayne Harrison & Bernard Jurisic from Spaladium Arena

Supporters arrived in huge numbers to witness Croatia's return to the futsal elite following 11 years away, and they were not to be disappointed.

A UEFA European Futsal Championship record attendance was set at Split's Spaladium Arena on Tuesday night as the hosts opened the 2012 final tournament, their first appearance since the 2001 edition, with a 2-1 victory against Romania thanks to Jakov Grcic's strike five minutes from time.

That caused the hall to reverberate as the passionate home supporters sensed a famous victory, which perhaps went a long way to erasing any lingering disappointment they felt following Croatia's elimination last week by arch-rivals Serbia in the semi-final of the European Men's Handball Championship in Belgrade.

The crowd eclipsed the previous best turn-out for a match in this competition, set when 7,500 watched Russia defeated Spain on penalties in the 1999 final in Granada.

"I'm very excited about the tournament − futsal is very popular in this part of Croatia," said local fan Zlatko. "A crowd of 8,000 for a futsal match is amazing. With this victory I'm sure that on Saturday against the Czech Republic there will be even more fans here. I'm coming back, for sure."

Following a tentative start in which Romania dictated the tempo, Croatia grew in stature. They were not cowed by Csoma Alpar's ferocious equaliser − which cancelled out Dario Marinovic's 23rd-minute opener − responding forcibly to take all three points and send their fans, many of whom were sporting the national football team's iconic chequered jersey, away in raptures.

"I came with my whole family to support Croatia in their first match and we'll be here again on Saturday," beamed Ivana, from nearby Imotski. "The atmosphere was great. We are very excited to be able to support our team and to have a good time in this beautiful arena. I can't wait for Croatia's next match."

The same no doubt applies to the players, who managed to survive a late onslaught with the vociferous help of their backers in the stands. Goalkeeper Ivo Jukic, pressed into service several times in the first half, said: "I told the media before the match that nobody can come to Split in front of our crowd and be favourites against us. That was proven tonight. The crowd gave us a boost just when we needed it, in the last few minutes when we were defending our advantage five against four [with Romania deploying a flying goalkeeper]."

Those wanting to reminisce need only visit one of Split's many news kiosks this morning. National sports paper sn − sportske novosti − leads its centre-page spread with the headline 'Marinovic and Grcic defeat Romania', while local publication Slobodna Dalmacija hails the spectacular opening ceremony, a colourful display by flag-waving cheerleaders.

If last night was an occasion to remember for supporters and players alike, there may be better to come against the Czech Republic on Saturday, when victory will ensure the hosts remain in Split for the quarter-finals as Group A winners.




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