Courtesy: UEFA.com


Hard work pays off

Saturday, 01 May 2004

By Paul Saffer in Lisbon

Jesús Candelas watched his Boomerang Interviú FS side lift the UEFA Futsal Cup for the first time, and put the triumph down to two years' hard work.

Benfica give their all

Candelas had warned a week ago that Boomerang's 4-1 home-leg victory against Benfica in Spain had not settled the tie, and this was abundantly clear in the return. The Portuguese title-holders attacked throughout, never losing their spirit, even though at one point they needed to score five goals to turn the game.

'We are the champions'

"I am delighted because we began this work two years ago and now we are the champions," Candelas told uefa.com, after his side succeeded national rivals Playas de Castellón FS, winners of this competition in its opening two years. Of the three finals so far, though, this was the most exciting yet, especially when Benfica's André Lima completed his hat-trick seven minutes from time to put his side 4-2 ahead, and within two goals of a dramatic comeback.

'Fair score'

Daniel, though, scored soon after to restore a comfortable cushion for Boomerang. It was his second goal of the game, and his fourth of the tie, and he said: "I think the 4-1 in Madrid was a good result to take into this leg. I think the score is a fair score because we came here to win - we lost, but we played well and won the tie, that is what matters."

No doubts

Even when the score was close, though, Candelas never had any doubts. "The team has a lot of experience and I was always confident we would win," he said. His side were helped by an early goal from Daniel, and a second from Marquinho not long before half-time which at that stage made it 6-2 on aggregate.

Matos stays upbeat

Even when they were so far behind, both then and in the final minutes, Benfica's players never gave up, and nor did their fans, who kept up the volume of their chanting long after the final whistle in the newly-built arena within the Estádio da Luz complex. Home coach Alípio Matos may have seen his side's dreams of European glory in Benfica's centenary year die, but he still saw the bright side of a fine Futsal occasion.

'Beautiful game'

"It was a great match, a great Benfica, great supporters, a great atmosphere," he told uefa.com. "I think it was a beautiful game. Benfica proved they are one of the best teams in Europe. UEFA should be proud to stage a game like this - the future is Futsal."

Comeback hopes

André Lima, captain of Benfica and Portugal, was more downbeat, especially having raised hopes of a comeback with the two goals inside 60 seconds after 33 minutes, adding to his strike earlier in the half.

Still believing

"When I completed the hat-trick I believed a comeback was possible," he told uefa.com. "I believed it, everybody in the hall believed it. But then Boomerang scored again and that was that."

Wanted to win

He added: "I am happy to score the three goals, but that is the least important thing right now - what we wanted to do was win the cup. I am delighted to have scored in a game as big as this, but I am sad to have lost."