Group 1

Courtesy UEFA.COM

Stylish Slovenia make it through

Saturday, 08 November 2003

Slovenia have squeezed into the play-offs for the 2004 FIFA Futsal World Championship after taking first place in Group 1.

Unbeaten in three

The group, held in Maribor, went down to the wire with the Slovenians triumphing courtesy of a 2-1 defeat of Serbia and Montenegro in the final game. It meant the Slovenians finished with a 100 per cent record and continued the good form shown at the 2003 UEFA European Futsal Championship.

Rajic double

The Serbo-Montenegrins had got the ball rolling with a 6-2 victory against Georgia. Predrag Rajic set them on their way with a first-minute strike but Georgia took a half-time lead after goals from Revaz Devdariani and Aleksandr Dzabiradze. However, it was a different story after the break with the Serbo-Montegrins adding four goals without reply including another goal for Rajic.

Horvat hat-trick

Slovenia were next in action and they were in fine form, winning 12-0 against Moldova. The goals were spread around but leading the way with a hat-trick was Tomislav Horvat. Moldova were also beaten in the next fixture, going down 6-4 at the hands of Serbia and Montenegro. The Serbo-Montenegrins were four goals up in side 14 minutes, thanks in part to Vladan Cvetkovic's double but a Moldovan fightback meant victory was only sealed by Zoran Benic's late goal.

Uršic double

The Slovenians also made it two wins from two and preserved their perfect defensive record in their next match by beating Georgia 5-0. It took eleven mintues for Horvat to find a way through but Boštjan Uršic's second-half double helped clinch a comfortable success.

Different story

Georgia restored some pride with a thrilling 6-5 victory against Moldova to ensure they would finish above their opponents in the section. Iurie Romaniuc's two goals had helped the Moldovans to a 3-1 half-time lead but Georgia were a different side in the second half. Nikoloz Kbiladze and Aleksandr Dzabiradze each scored twice to complete a great comeback.

Radulovic off

It all meant the contest between Slovenia and Serbia and Montenegro would be decisive. Rajic put the latter side into a tenth-minute lead but Gorazd Drobnic equalised inside two minutes. Senudin Dzafic then put the Slovenians in front three mintues later and his side managed to hang on for victory. To make matters worse for the Serbo-Montenegrins, Dragan Radulovic was sent off two minutes from the end.


Group 6

Courtesy UEFA.COM


No problems for Portuguese

Saturday, 08 November 2003

Portugal were convincing winners of Group 6 to take their place in the European play-offs for the 2004 FIFA Futsal World Championship.

Braga support
Orlando Duarte's side, which finished third at the last staging of the global event, had no troubles, defeating group rivals Greece and Albania in convincing fashion. The mini-tournament was held at the Pavilhão da Universidade in Braga and the home team gave their fans plenty to cheer.

Pappas strong

Portugal set the standard in the very first match against Greece, with only in-form goalkeeper Konstantinos Pappas preventing an even bigger rout than the 8-1 scoreline. The home team were quickly in their stride, scoring seven goals without reply. Gonçalo Alves led the way with a double, along with further efforts from Arnaldo, Ivan, André Lima, Formiga and an own goal. Panayotis Lioutas earned the Greeks a consolation but there was still time for Leo to add an eighth while Stefanos Soilemes was dismissed for Greece.

Lioutas hits four
Greece bounced back in their next, and final, fixture with a 13-4 victory against Albania. Panagiotis Lioutas opened the scoring in the first minute and went on to hit four goals in the first half while there was also a hat-trick for Stefanos Michalis after the break. Albania gave their all and had the pleasure of seeing Ilir Kuluraj pick up a hat-trick of his own.

Six for Leo

Portugal only needed a point against Albania to make absolutely sure but given the Albanian defeat by the Greeks, coach Duarte was confident of success. He began with many of the substitutes from the first game but they were still too strong and picked up an 18-6 success. Leo was the star of the show scoring six times but that man Kuluraj managed to capitalise on some sloppy Portuguese play to score his second treble in two games.