Courtesy UEFA.com

Dutch too good for Belgium

Friday, 30 January 2004

The Netherlands were in free-scoring form to qualify for their fourth UEFA European Futsal Championship finals after missing out in 2003.

Top two face off

Hosts Belgium, who played in the 2003 finals, were the team the Dutch had to beat to reach next Febuary's tournament in the Czech Republic, and the two were to meet in the Group 1 decider in Hasselt.

Grunholz hits five

Both made winning starts. The Netherlands sprinted past Israel 11-1, Edwin Grunholz the start with five goals. Meanwhile, Belgium were given a tougher time by France, only quickfire goals early in the second half from Tim Vergauwen and Karim Bachar securing a 2-0 victory.

Belgium edge past Israel

It was a similar story in the second set of matches. France fared little better than Israel against the Netherlands losing 10-2, Grunholz again scoring five and Samir Makhoukhi striking a hat-trick. Belgium's game was again scoreless at the break, but Ylias El Haoual's 25th-minute goal beat Israel 1-0.

Dutch triumph

So it came down to the final meeting of Belgium and the Netherlands. Again Belgium were involved in a tactical duel, cleverly marking Grunholz. But the striker ensured he drew the opposing defence away from his team-mates, and Abdellah Idlaasri finally gave the Dutch a 22nd-minute lead, and soon after Roger Maduro doubled the advantage. In the final seconds Makhoukhi wrapped up a 3-0 victory that took the Dutch through.

'Excellent players'

Dutch coach Vic Hermans said after the game: "I want to first of all praise Grunhol , for making a sacrifice to play in the service of the team. With that we surprised the Belgians by showing we have other excellent players. I think we can say that the best team has won. We had more individual class and tactical skill."

French consolation

Third place went to France, who beat Israel 3-2 in a game of five second-half goals.