Group 7Courtesy
UEFA.COMPoles keep on goingSaturday, 08 November 2003
Poland have kept their ambitions of securing a place at the 2004 FIFA Futsal World Championship alive after cruising to first place in Group 7.
No problemsThe Poles will now go into the ten-team play-offs, from which five victorious nations will go on to represent UEFA at the finals in Chinese Taipei late next year. They made sure of their involvement in the play-offs by comfortably defeating Azerbaijan and Cyprus in the mini-tournament held in Larnaca.
Two doublesThe first match saw Poland take on Azerbaijan and they raced into a two-goal lead through Wojcjech Pieta and Krzysztof Jasinski, who each went on to score again in a 6-1 victory. Natig Mammadkarimov did have the honour of scoring a last-minute consolation for the Azeris.
Kusia hits fourPoland were even more emphatic winners in the next fixture, making sure of pole position in the group by defeating the Cypriots 13-0. Krzysztof Kusia profited the most in the rout, scoring four goals for his side who never looked like losing once Marek Widzicki had found the net in the first minute.
Lambrou leaves it lateThe final match between Azerbaijan and Cyprus was academic but it was still a keenly-fought contest that finished 4-4. Patroklos Pantelas ensured the Cypriots held a 2-1 half-time lead, and Thomas Tsolakis extended the advantage just after the interval. However, the Azeris then scored three times in succession with Hikmat Baghirov putting them 4-3 in front. However, Marios Lambrou ensured it was honours even with a goal two minutes from time.
Group 8Courtesy
UEFA.COMHungarian joy after close finishSaturday, 08 November 2003
Hungary have caused a surprise by knocking out Croatia to take a place in the play-offs for the FIFA Futsal World Championship.
Close finishThe Hungarians finished in first place after victories against the Croatians and Armenia in Group 8. The mini-tournament was held in Gospic and was one of the closest of all ten being played.
Jarni openerCroatia got off to a flying start with a 9-2 victory against the Armenians, with former international footballer Robert Jarni scoring after just two minutes. Matija Dulvat was the main threat though, scoring a hat-trick for his side. To make matters worse, Armenia's Tigran Petrosyan was sent off two minutes before the end.
Baranyai trebleArmenia were then beaten 5-2 by the Hungarians. Gábor Pál Baranyai started and finished the scoring for Hungary with his hat-trick giving them every confidence of success in the showdown with Croatia.
Dramatic finaleThe final match saw an upset in the decisive meeting between the top two. Croatia took a two-goal lead inside eight minutes through Robert Grdovic and Sandro Salacan but Hungary then scored five times without reply. Balázs Simon led the way with a quick-fire hat-trick but Croatia refused to lie down. Kreimir Civrag and Ivica Osibov cut the gap in the 30th minute but Hungary were to score two more to Croatia's one to finish with a 7-5 victory.
Group 10Courtesy
UEFA.COMDefending champions made to workSunday, 09 November 2003
Defending champions Spain are through to the play-offs of the 2004 FIFA Futsal World Championship. Talented squadThe Spanish topped Group 10 but it was a hard-fought mini-tournament in Riga against Slovakia and hosts Latvia. However, Javier Lozano's men ultimately had too much talent and are still one of the teams to watch.
Quick startThe Spanish got proceedings under way against the Latvians, and had a dream start thanks to Daniel's first-minute strike. The No14 is one of the best players in the world and it was his second goal in the 33rd minute that made sure of a 3-1 victory. Aleksandrs Slepovs had put the Latvians back in the contest a minute before Daniel's decisive goal.
Kike goalSpain then wrapped up the group with a 5-2 victory against the Slovakians. Javi Rodríguez led the way with an excellent first-half double although Peter Jalaka's eleventh-minute goal meant Slovakia were still in the contest at half-time. Voitech Varady then drew the Slovakians level in the 25th minute but Kike restored the Spanish advantage two minutes later and the holders never looked back.
Cambal dismissedThe result meant the final game was academic but it was still an intriguing contest between Latvia and Slovakia that finished all-square. Mihails Lisjakovs made the home fans happy with a goal in the 13th minute but Radoslav Krajcik restored parity four minutes after the interval. Slovakia would have settled for a point when Martin Cambal was dismissed in the 26th minute but the Latvians thought they had won it when Slepovs scored three minutes from the end. However, in the final minute, Varady found an equaliser and it finished 2-2.
