Courtesy: UEFA.com


Ruthless Russia dash Croatia's final hopes

Three first-half goals ensured a late home comeback could not prevent Russia reaching a fourth final in front of a record 14,300 crowd.

Thursday 9 February 2012

Croatia 2-4 Russia

by Wayne Harrison from Arena Zagreb

Russia are through to the final of the UEFA European Futsal Championship for the fourth time after a devastating display of finishing in front of a competition record 14,300 crowd ended the hopes of hosts Croatia.

Goals in the first 16 minutes from Dmitri Prudnikov, Cirilo and Sergei Abramov put the 1999 champions in control and Pula capped a clinical performance early in the second half. Dario Marinovic pulled two back but Croatia must now focus on the third-place play-off here on Saturday, after which Russia will play one of the only two other past champions, Italy or Spain, for the title.

Croatia's penalty shoot-out hero in the quarter-finals, Ivo Jukic, was beaten inside 35 seconds when Prudnikov ran onto Sergei Sergeev's ball down the channel and clipped the ball into the far corner. It was the first time the hosts had been behind in the tournament.

Inspired by the raucous atmosphere, Croatia responded well. Gustavo saved from Jakov Grcic before Marinovic − an injury doubt before the match − tricked his way through a couple of challenges and shot wide. However, Cirilo, from Aleksandr Fukin's threaded pass, beat Jukic first time in the sixth minute.

Russia were not having it all their own way − Gustavo thwarted Duje Bajrusovic − but they were lethal whenever chances of their own arose. Four and half minutes before the break, Abramov tucked in the rebound after Jukic had parried from Sergeev.

Stankovic sent his charges out for the second half a couple of minutes early but it failed to elicit the desired response − only 41 seconds had elapsed when Pula extended Russia's lead after Jukic had blocked Cirilo. Marinovic offered hope five minutes later when Gustavo parried Sasa Babic's shot on to the crossbar.

With five minutes left Tihomir Novak was deployed as a flying goalkeeper and Marinovic swiftly scored again, his shot slipping under Gustavo's dive. In a closing spell that had the crowd on their feet, Grcic, Marinovic and Novak all hit a post, but Russia held on.



Courtesy: UEFA.com


Spain stand firm to beat Italy in semi-final

Holders Spain will face Russia for the fourth time in eight Futsal EURO finals after Aicardo's early goal and a superb defensive display.

Thursday 9 February 2012

Spain 1-0 Italy

by Paul Saffer from Arena Zagreb

Spain will play for their fourth straight UEFA European Futsal Championship and sixth overall against the only country ever to beat them in a final, Russia, after a superb defensive display ended Italy's bid.

Aicardo's seventh-minute goal proved enough for the holders, who continued to create chances on the counter. They take on Russia here on Saturday in the fourth final between these nations in the eight editions, after Italy face hosts Croatia for third place.

Russia scored in the first minute against Croatia and Spain nearly emulated them, Rafael Usín hitting the outside of a post. Most of the sell-out tournament record crowd for that earlier match stayed to watch these two futsal colossi − with loud chants for both − and they saw the star of Italy's semi-final defeat of Portugal, Stefano Mammarella, pull off a fine save from Kike.

However, the holders were soon ahead as Ortiz slid the ball left for Aicardo to beat Mammarella at his near post. Amado denied Alessandro Patias as Italy responded. Sergio Lozano's effort zipped past the post, Spain still having better chances even as the Azzurri had more possession, though Luis Amado was called into action after a jinking Saad Assis run

Just over a minute into the second half Spain broke again through Alemao but he could not get past Mammarella, and his dive foiled Kike's half-volley before advancing to frustrate Borja, who had slipped clear with a fine spin. Italy, meanwhile, were seldom allowed sight of goal by Spain's watertight defence, anchored in turn by Kike and Ortiz.

Spain continued to counter at will, Lozano shooting just wide after one surging passing move and Alemao hitting the crossbar so hard the goal nearly moved. Usín was next to trouble the woodwork, while Lima made Amado save, as did Luca Ippoliti twice. Tournament top scorer Torras was the width of the crossbar away from a sixth finals goal for Spain and Alemao somehow missed from close range, but their first clean sheet against Italy took them through.




Courtesy: UEFA.com


Final place delights Skorovich as Croatia reflect

Sergei Skorovich was happy "not to play beautifully and to win" after Russia's semi-final defeat of Croatia, who were still proud of what they did for a record 14,300 crowd in Zagreb.

Friday 10 February 2012

by Wayne Harrison, Dmitri Slotin & Elvir Islamovic from Arena Zagreb

Sergei Skorovich, Russia coach
I'm happy because we undertook a big job preparing for the tournament and now we're in the final. We won't stop now and will do our best in the next game. We wanted to play excellent futsal from the off to show we were stronger than Croatia. We were lucky to score in the first minute − it's very important to do so in this type of game.

The game was very difficult. Croatia hit the post a few times in the closing stages and had some chances to score another goal. A coach is always happy when his team reach the final − it's better not to play beautifully and to win. Konstantin Maevski is not young, he was a little tired. We understood that if we reached the final we would need him, so we decided to give him a rest.

As for Gustavo, he played well [in the 2-2 group draw] against Italy. Two of our goalkeepers are strong, so sometimes we have a difficult choice. We expected to come under pressure in the closing stages because of the crowd. A team always give it their best in the last moments. We were nervous, of course, but we tried to stay calm.

Ildar Nugumanov, Russia forward
At the beginning we not only wanted to score a quick goal but also to completely outplay them to silence the crowd. We managed to do so, so the game plan worked really well.

Mato Stankovic, Croatia coach
The two early goals were key to our loss. We are very proud so many people are coming to see us. Russia are a very good team and I have to say that, although they are better, my players played very well. We were unlucky at certain moments.

I'm proud of all our matches, not only this one. The first five minutes weren't good but other parts of the game were. All of the fans like us after what we've done − it doesn't matter what the score is on Saturday [against Italy].

Dario Marinovic, Croatia double goalscorer
We started the match like we were a little afraid. They are a top team and knew how to punish our every mistake. We were 4-0 down and at that moment we were afraid of what might happen between then and the end of the game. We managed to come back and we found the strength to be a worthy opponent; it didn't look too bad in the latter part of the match. In the end we can be satisfied, as can our fans. We showed in the second half that we can play against a powerful Russia.

My back was hurting me all day. The physios did everything to get me ready for the match and I want to thank them for their help. I received a few injections, it was hurting a bit during the match as well, but I wanted to play so much. I don't think I disappointed the fans.

Jakov Grcic, Croatia defender
Our bad start was decisive. When we were down 4-0 it wasn't easy − we thought they were going to crush us. In the second half we managed to pull something out and be equal to Russia in some parts of the game. It was a fantastic atmosphere and it's a really special feeling when you hear 15,000 fans supporting you.

We tried to do something late in the match, we got two goals back, but we didn't have any luck to score the third. It would have been very interesting had we managed to get within a goal of them. However, despite this loss we've enjoyed great success. It's incredible for Croatian futsal.



Courtesy: UEFA.com


Finalists Spain keep on getting better

Spain's new generation go "from strength to strength", said Rafael Usín, after the 1-0 semi-final defeat of Italy, whose coach Roberto Menichelli was proud to be "on a par" with the holders.

Friday 10 February 2012

by Gonzalo Aguado, Paul Saffer & Francesco Corda from Arena Zagreb

José Venancio López, Spain coach
I am very happy, obviously because we won, but also because we have seen a futsal game between two teams who wanted to play and tried to win from the first minute. So I would like to congratulate Italy, who made it a great game. In the first half they were superior in phases of the game, but in the second half we were much better.

Our superiority was because of the personality we showed in the second half. On a tactical level it is difficult to be much better than Italy. We tried to cut out the passes to their pivots. The second half we played very simply, with very quick transitions that did not allow them time to position themselves in defence. We were just lacking a goal. We had four or five chances to kill the game. We also defended well, we were very focused, but it is true that Italy were very good.

We defended well and when they had a flying goalkeeper we barely allowed them a shot on goal. I am delighted because the players did exactly what we trained for before the match.

Rafael Usín, Spain pivot
The important thing was to reach the final. Overall we were very good, we played good futsal and we created many chances. Yes, we were not very successful in front of goal, but you have to look at it positively. They made life difficult in the dying minutes with the flying goalkeeper, but we defended well.

We know that we are going from strength to strength. Today we put to bed any talk about generational change. Everyone thought it would be difficult for us to reach the final because many players have gone. But Spain are still proving we have great players and on Saturday we will play our fourth consecutive final.

We have a reputation we have earned in recent years and it is a great responsibility for any players who come into the national team. We must be very careful against Russia, but if we are good we should not worry about our opponents.

Torras, Spain winger
We came to win the championship and we are in the final. Although we had to go through the mill a bit, I think the margin of victory was a bit low given we had many chances. I hope that on Saturday we will be more successful in front of goal.

We know Russia very well. They have two very good quintets, one that plays with power up front and one that moves the ball very well. They are always in the final or semi-finals. They are a team that always wants to dominate, like us, so I think it will be a great game.

Robert Menichelli, Italy coach
The players are disappointed because we didn't win, but they did their best, they gave everything they had and we know we did all we could to win. Unfortunately in futsal you win or you lose but what remains is a great Italian performance. Anyone who watched the game could see that Italy were on a par with Spain.

We conceded a goal on a kick-in but for 75% of the match the score remained the same. Of course Spain created chances but it remained an open match until the end. I don't think there was such a great difference between us and Spain, the result suggests this. I want to congratulate Spain, the best team in Europe, but we did well and this is the most important thing.

Saad Assis, Italy winger
There was nothing we could improve, we played to their level. We were unlucky not to score, but now we know we can beat them. We didn't make mistakes, we were focused because we knew the game would be difficult. I spoke to my Barcelona team-mates at the end of match, that is normal since we all play for the same club. They told me this is futsal, somebody has to win – tonight it was them.




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