Courtesy: UEFA.com


Marinovic targets Golden Boot leader Torras

Five-goal Dario Marinovic of Croatia now trails Spain's Torras in the adidas Golden Boot race by just an assist after the semi-finals and told UEFA.com: "I really want that trophy."

Friday 10 February 2012

by Paul Saffer & Elvir Islamovic from Zagreb

Dario Marinovic's two late goals for Croatia in Thursday's UEFA Futsal EURO 2012 semi-final with Russia may not have stopped the hosts losing 4-2 but it did put him on the shoulder of Torras in the race for the adidas Golden Boot.

Torras led the standings following the quarter-finals and remains on top with five goals despite not being involved in Spain's sole strike that eliminated Italy in Zagreb, also on Thursday. However, Marinovic is now alongside him on five goals, although he sits in the Silver Boot position as Torras has an assist to his name. Both players could be in action on Saturday as Croatia meet Italy for third place before the Spain-Russia final.

"I didn't even know I was top of the scorers' list, the journalists told me that I am there with Torras," Marinovic told UEFA.com. "It would be great if I could get the best scorer title. If Torras doesn't score on Saturday and I manage to score in the match for third place, that would be great. I really want that trophy. But it's not the most important thing, we have already achieved a brilliant result."

Vidan Bojovic of Serbia, who went home after the quarter-finals having netted four in the 9-8 group win against Azerbaijan, is down to the Bronze Boot spot, ahead of Aicardo, who joined him on the same goal tally with Spain's strike versus Italy, thanks to an assist. Three other players who could play on Saturday at Arena Zagreb are on three goals – however one of them, Konstantin Maevski, did not feature in Russia's semi-final.

Leaders
1: Torras (Spain) 5 goals, 1 assist (4 games)
2: Dario Marinovic (Croatia) 5 goals, 0 assists (4 games)
3: Vidan Bojovic* (Serbia) 4 goals, 1 assist (3 games)
4: Aicardo (Spain) 4 goals, 0 assists (4 games)

Players left in competition with 3 goals:
Konstantin Maevski (Russia) 2 assists (3 games)
Aleksandr Fukin (Russia) 1 assist (4 games)
Rafael Usín (Spain) 0 assists, 1 yellow card (4 games)

*team eliminated

-> Full statistics

Criteria
1) Higher number of assists:
• Player delivering the intentional pass, cross, header or shot leading to a goal
• Player shooting and ball rebounding from woodwork, goalkeeper or defender and entering the goal
• Player passing, shooting or crossing and leading to an own goal
• Only one assist per goal can be awarded
• No assist for player winning a penalty or free-kick
2) Higher ratio of converted double (ten-metre) penalties
3) Higher ratio of converted (six-metre) penalties
4) Higher number of goals scored in fewer matches
5) Fair play record (red, yellow cards)

Past final tournament top scorers
2010: Saad Assis (Italy), Biro Jade (Azerbaijan), Javi Rodríguez (Spain), Joel Queirós (Portugal) 5
2007: Cirilo (Russia), Daniel (Spain), Predrag Rajiæ (Serbia) 5
2005: Nando Grana (Italy) 6
2003: Serhiy Koridze (Ukraine) 7
2001: Serhiy Koridze (Ukraine) 7
1999: Konstantin Eremenko (Russia) 11
1996: Konstantin Eremenko (Russia) 8



Courtesy: UEFA.com


Croatia ready for last hurrah against Italy

Mato Stankovic and Dario Marinovic want Croatia to end a "brilliant" campaign on Saturday by claiming bronze against an Italy side glad to be back among Europe's top four.

Friday 10 February 2012

by Wayne Harrison & Elvir Islamovic from Zagreb

Hosts Croatia's memorable run at their first UEFA European Futsal Championship for 11 years culminates against Italy in the third-place play-off on Saturday, with Dario Marinovic urging his team-mates to give their all one last time.

Three times the tournament attendance record has been beaten by the crowd at Croatia's games, with 14,300 watching the 4-2 semi-final loss to Russia at Arena Zagreb on Thursday that ended their best-ever major futsal run. MNK Split player Marinovic, one of the stars of the finals with his rapid acceleration and fierce shooting, is part of a squad which has exceeded expectations. That, though, does not mean the Group A winners, who defeated Ukraine on penalties in the last eight, will ease off against the Azzurri.

"This is a miracle for Croatian futsal − I even can't describe how big the miracle is for us," the 21-year-old, who is one assist behind Spain's five-goal Torras in the adidas Golden Boot race, told UEFA.com. "People who are not involved will maybe not understand. It's a really brilliant result, but we don't want to be satisfied with this − we need to give our best and try to win bronze."

Marinovic scored twice on Thursday despite being hampered by a back problem. "I want to thank the fans for their support, it was a [great] spectacle, and I hope in the third-place match there will be at least half that atmosphere," he added.

Another sizeable attendance should lift Marinovic and Co after that loss, as should words of encouragement from their coach, Mato Stankovic. "I will tell my players they have done good things," he said. "I am trying to convince them that this was not all we had to offer, that we can play a top match and defeat Italy. It would be good to release the handbrake now and to play the last game without any pressure."

That is something Saturday's opponents are used to handling. Having been eliminated by the Czech Republic on spot-kicks in the last eight two years ago, the first time they had never reached the semi-finals, 2003 winners Italy had one goal here in Croatia. "We wanted to restore Italy to the top four in Europe and we managed to do it," said coach Roberto Menichelli, whose side were denied a third showpiece appearance by Spain.

"We played a good tournament, drawing 2-2 with Russia, beating Turkey [3-1] and Portugal [3-1] and losing [1-0] to Spain. We are happy above all because against Spain we did the best we could. Now we play Croatia, a beautiful match and, as in the previous games, we will give our best to win."




Courtesy: UEFA.com


Futsal EURO final by numbers

Ahead of Saturday's UEFA Futsal EURO 2012 final, UEFA.com looks at the key facts from a tournament where records were broken in goals, appearances and attendances.

Friday 10 February 2012

by Paul Saffer from Zagreb

0: Portugal did not have a single player booked in the finals.

3: In Saturday's decider, each side could feature three players who participated in Spain's 2-1 final win against Russia in Ostrava in 2005: Spain's Luis Amado, Kike and Torras, and Russia's substitute goalkeeper that day, Sergei Zuev, plus Konstantin Maevski and Aleksandr Fukin.

4: This will be the fourth time in the eight European finals that Spain have been matched with Russia.

5: Spain defender Kike and goalkeeper Luis Amado are hoping to secure a fifth continental title, which would bring them equal with former Germany women's football striker Birgit Prinz. Captain Amado is the only person to have taken part in seven UEFA final tournaments and including qualifying will make his 48th Futsal EURO appearance.

6: Spain are aiming for their sixth title, and fourth in a row, having only lost one previous final − to Russia in 1999.

8: Felipe scored after just eight seconds in Azerbaijan's extraordinary 9-8 group stage loss to Serbia, a competition record and the first of several set in that game.

16: With Turkey's debut appearance, 16 nations have now taken part in at least one Futsal EURO final tournament. Italy, Russia and Spain have played in all eight.

17: The record Futsal EURO finals goal tally in the Serbia-Azerbaijan game. Serbia equalled the highest number of goals for a team in a Futsal EURO finals game and no team has scored more than Azerbaijan and lost. In all there were 50 attempts on goal.

43: The number of nations that entered the competition, 24 beginning in the preliminary round in January 2011.

44: Azerbaijan goalkeeper Andrey Tveryankin became the first person of that age to take part in any UEFA final tournament.

100: Dario Marinoviæ's second goal for Croatia in their 4-2 semi-final loss to Russia was the 100th of these finals.

2003: The only year Spain did not make the final. The Spanish lost in the last four to hosts Italy, who then beat Ukraine to lift the trophy.

14,300: The first five-figure crowd to watch a UEFA futsal match filled Arena Zagreb on Thursday for Croatia's semi-final with Russia. It was the third record crowd of the tournament, after large turn-outs in Split for Croatia's opening game against Romania (8,000) and quarter-final with Ukraine (9,800).

75,709: The aggregate attendance so far for the 18 matches, already well beyond the previous record.

1,314,651: The total TV audience in Croatia that watched the hosts' four games so far live, with nearly 20% of all viewers on Monday night watching the quarter-final defeat of Ukraine.




Courtesy: UEFA.com


Spain and Russia face off in final again

A "great show" is predicted on Saturday as Spain seek a fourth straight European futsal title against a Russia side they have beaten in two of three previous final meetings.

Friday 10 February 2012

by Paul Saffer from Zagreb

Saturday's UEFA Futsal EURO 2012 final will end the eighth continental championship − and for the fourth time Spain and Russia will face off.

Spain's 2-1 win in the 2005 decider in Ostrava began a run of consecutive titles they hope to stretch to four at Arena Zagreb. In 2010 in Hungary, they won an epic quarter-final shoot-out with Russia following a goalless draw, and only in 2003 have these nations not met at some stage in a EURO.

With Russia having shown their mettle on Thursday by beating hosts Croatia 4-2 in front of a tournament-record crowd of 14,300, coach Sergei Skorovich said: "There are a lot of reasons why Spain are so good. Their team play is superb while they also have a winning mentality. They employ an attacking style and can easily rotate players without any negative effect on their performance. Their confidence is sky-high.

"Of course, they are human, so they can make mistakes at the back, yet they still have the upper hand at full time. Also, they are capable of raising the tempo at any stage in the match. To be able to compete you need to be perfect in every department. The first priority is defence, no matter if it is pressing or zonal." Konstantin Maevski and goalkeeper Sergei Zuev could both be involved having missed out on Thursday.

As for Spain, they have won all seven of their games so far, qualifying included, and another victory would complete their first perfect campaign since they triumphed in Moscow 11 years ago. That is despite the absence here of injured forwards Fernandao and Pola, plus the calf problem that has kept out one of the most experienced players, Álvaro.

Coach José Venancio López said: "We have a fantastic squad, we play collective futsal, so it doesn't matter if someone is missing, but it is true that Álvaro is very important for us because he is a very tactical player and understands the game well because he's very smart."

Venancio López is aiming for his third straight win in charge, equalling predecessor Javier Lozano's number of titles, while for goalkeeper Luis Amado and defender Kike, it would be their fifth triumph – like current adidas Golden Boot leader Torras they were involved in the 2005 defeat of Russia.

"Russia are a great team, have 14 top players and have also been improving during the tournament, just like us," Venancio López added. "We are the two best teams in the tournament and hope to see a dramatic final tomorrow. I hope the Arena is full and you will see a great show."

Lin, who scored in the 4-2 defeat of Portugal that gave Spain the title two years ago in Hungary, added: "Russia are a great team, both technically and tactically. They are also very strong physically, but we must focus on ourselves and try to take advantage of our strengths. We are very confident."

• There will be home representation in the final when Croatia's Danijel Janosevic takes charge along with Italy's Francesco Massini, Portuguese third official Eduardo José Fernandes Coelho and Romanian timekeeper Bogdan Sorescu.




Courtesy: UEFA.com


Sergeev's guide to the Russia squad

Russia are in their first final since 2005 and captain Sergei Sergeev introduces UEFA.com to a squad including two musicians and a goalkeeper counting the days to the angling season.

Friday 10 February 2012

by Sergei Sergeev from Zagreb

1 Sergei Zuev (MFK Sinara Ekaterinburg, goalkeeper)
A real professional who is exceptional in performing his duties. I think he is enjoying the best time of his goalkeeping career at the moment. But futsal is not the only thing in his life. A day before the final he was sharing his dream with the other players – to go fishing in two months' time when the fishing season starts. He is very smart and can talk about any subject.

2 Anatoli Badretdinov (MFK Dinamo Moskva, defender)
He is not enjoying a lot playing time at this EURO, although when he does play in our defence he is always solid. A very nice guy off the pitch.

3 Nikolai Pereverzev (MFK Tyumen, defender)
In the team of four where he usually plays, three players are very attack-minded. This means Pereverzev has to concentrate on defence. It's rare that you see him coming forward although he is great in his role, being very solid at the back. He's not a stranger to having fun; he likes a laugh.

4 Dmitri Prudnikov (MFK Sinara Ekaterinburg, defender)
The most talented player Russia has produced recently. His work rate is exceptional and he scores a lot of goals. A very, versatile player with the qualities of a real leader. Very friendly off the pitch.

5 Sergei Sergeev (PFC CSKA Moskva, defender)
I am very calm and quiet off the pitch in my normal life; however you have to be angry during the game and that's the way I play. Also, being a captain, I need to lead the players. We have some young players who lack experience, so sometimes they need a good piece of advice.

7 Pula (MFK Dinamo Moskva, defender)
This guy is our team's heart. Definitely the biggest joker we have as he always charges us with a positive energy. He loves music and even performs as a drummer in a band. Has a lot of international caps under his belt as well as international goals. He was the top goalscorer at the last [FIFA Futsal] World Cup – that says it all.

8 Nikolai Maltsev (MFK Sinara Ekaterinburg, forward)
He is lacking playing time at the moment, but together with Pula, Cirilo and Batretdinov he formed our second team of four at the Grand Prix in Brazil. Scored a couple of decisive goals there. A technically gifted player capable of beating his defender in a one-on-one situation, he has a good finishing touch as well. A true member of a great and really friendly team – we are in the final largely because there is such a great atmosphere in the team.

9 Sergei Abramov (MFK Sinara Ekaterinburg, forward)
Abramov has got jokes in him as well. He's always in a good mood, very positive and likes to have fun. He is very open-minded and active in his daily life. One of the biggest rising stars in Russian futsal.

10 Konstantin Maevski (PFC CSKA Moskva, defender)
He has a great sense of humour and can really get things going. His huge experience helps a lot during the game. It's a real joy to play together with him; we play for the same club and our partnership is fantastic.

11 Cirilo (MFK Dinamo Moskva, pivot)
He is our pivot and we don't have a lot of pivots in Russia. He's a technically gifted player who scores a lot. Another huge fan of music, he is in the same band as Pula. He plays some strange instrument, which looks similar to a guitar.

12 Gustavo (Sibiryak, goalkeeper)
A recent addition to the squad. Gustavo has already begun to build a good reputation. Quiet and easy-going in daily life, he remains focused on the pitch and is always ready to lead by example.

13 Aleksandr Fukin (MFK Dinamo Moskva, forward)
Very kind and calm off the pitch, he is one of the best players at Dinamo and in the national team as well. He is not afraid to try to beat defenders in one-on-one situations. His dribbling is great, so he creates a lot of chances and gives all sorts of trouble to our opponents.

14 Ivan Milovanov (MFK Tyumen, defender)
Another really nice guy off the pitch. His dribbling and work rate is good and he is still young so we hope his best is yet to come. I think he, together with Aramov and Nugumanov, will be key players for Russia in future.

15 Ildar Nugumanov (MFK Tyumen, forward)
Aggressive on the pitch, but calm away from it, he has a very good shot, is very quick and can beat his opponents for pace. His movement off the ball is good as well.

Sergei Sergeev was speaking to Dmitri Slotin



Courtesy: UEFA.com

Spain captain Amado's guide to champion squad

Spain goalkeeper Luis Amado, in his seventh Futsal EURO, won his fifth title and as captain talks us through his champion team, featuring a buffalo, a dandy and a Spartan.

Saturday 11 February 2012

by Luis Amado from Zagreb

1 Luis Amado (Interviú Madrid, goalkeeper)
I am humble and hardworking. I am very competitive. I bring to the squad the experience and seniority the years have given me.

2 Ortiz (Interviú Madrid, defender)
He is a very good person but pretty serious. He is also a 'killer' as a defender in our area.

3 Sergio Lozano (FC Barcelona, winger)
He is a buffalo. With the youth he has, his body is a wonder of nature. He also has a very good shot with either foot. He is also from the same town as me. A great kid.

4 Torras (FC Barcelona, defender)
We call him 'Leonidas' because he is a Spartan. He fights for every ball and never gives up. As a person he is exceptional.

6 Álvaro (Interviú Madrid, defender)
For me he is a 'dandy', because he is a very elegant player. He is one of the smartest players in the team. We miss him [he is injured].

8 Kike (ElPozo Murcia FS, defender)
He is the voice of experience. He is a great friend of mine. We have many things in common: we debuted on the same day, we have been in the squad for the same number of years and we have the same birthday! I love him. As a player he is the standard-bearer.

9 Rafael Usín (Navarra FS, pivot)
We call him the 'Sandwich of Batteries' because he doesn't stop talking. Put in the batteries in the morning and he will not stop. He is a very nice kid and one of the jesters of the squad. He brings a lot of height and power to our attacking game, something we did not have after Fernandao's injury.

10 Borja (Segovia FS, winger)
He is a unique guy. I love him very much and he has played many times with me. As a player he is great and gives us a lot of height.

11 Lin (FC Barcelona, winger)
Another of the jokers in the team, in the best sense. He is always laughing and making jokes, and as a player gives us great speed and physical power.

12 Juanjo (Interviú Madrid, goalkeeper)
We call him the 'Little Mute' because he is a very shy kid. He is a person who does not like to talk much and is extremely shy. He is the future goalkeeper when I retire, along with Cristian.

13 Cristian (FC Barcelona, goalkeeper)
For me he is like my son. I know him very well. He started playing futsal with me, and is very shy and very humble. He is also a great goalkeeper.

14 Alemao (MFK Dina Moskva, winger)
We call him 'Big Ears'! He's a pretty shy kid and also one of the dinosaurs of the team due to his old age − like me.

15 Miguelín (ElPozo Murcia FS, winger)
He is a crazy guy! As a player he is very good, very fast. Put him into sixth gear and no one can catch him.

16 Aicardo (Lobelle de Santiago FS, winger)
He is not shy, but also is not the most talkative of the players. He has an impressive left foot. He is doing really well in this tournament. He rebounded from injuries and is doing great.

Luis Amado was speaking to Gonzalo Aguado




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