Courtesy: www.uefa.com


Nations start on road to finals
Monday, 05 January 2004

Seven teams will get the 2004/05 UEFA European Futsal Championship under way with the start of the preliminary round this week.

Two hosts
Divided into two groups, the nations will be aiming to take first position and a place in the qualifying round, which starts later this month. In Group A, mini-tournament hosts Bulgaria have been joined by Armenia, Romania and Kazakhstan for the matches in Varna. In Group B, Albania have hosting duties and welcome Cyprus and England to Vlore.

Development is key
While none of the sides will be considered likely contenders when the finals are played in the Czech Republic in February next year, the chance to play on the European stage is vital for future development. England, for example, are playing in a UEFA national team event for the first time. Coach Graeme Dell said: "We're not expecting to win the tournament but we're excited to be taking part and it will be a great learning curve for us."

Romanian ambitions
Romania have loftier ambitions, especially after AS Odorheiu Secuiesc reached the second qualifying round of the current UEFA Futsal Cup for club teams. Now ranked 22nd in Europe, Romania have held two training camps and Radu Petre, secretary of the Romanian Football Federation's Futsal committee, said: "We want to reach the next stage, despite the fact that this is a strong group and Futsal at high level is only a year old in Romania."

Fourth staging
Granada in Spain staged the first UEFA event in February 1999, when Russia defeated the host nation on penalties after a 3-3 draw. The next city to get the honour was Moscow, with Spain lifting the trophy in the Russian capital after a 2-1 victory against Ukraine. In February 2003, Italy became the first hosts to claim the title after the tournament was played in Caserta and Aversa.


2004/05 UEFA European Futsal Championship
Preliminary round

Group A (mini-tournament hosts in bold)
Matches to be played 8/9/11 January

Bulgaria
Armenia
Romania
Kazakhstan


Group B (mini-tournament hosts in bold)
Matches to be played 6/7/8 January

Albania
Cyprus
England