Courtesy: This is Bath.com

BATH TO HOST FUTSAL DEBUT

11:00 - 22 May 2004

The University of Bath is preparing to host England's first internationals in a sport which launched the football careers of Brazilian stars such as Pele, Zico and Socrates. But, while many football fans on these shores may never even have heard of Futsal, Bath residents will be treated to a sneak preview when England take on Belgium in two friendlies on Monday and Tuesday at the university's Sports Training Village.

Futsal is played on basketball-sized courts, both indoors and out, without the use of sidewalls and is widely seen as an essential tool in developing the grass roots of football in this country.

The two matches will be the first time England has ever held a Futsal international and will act as part of the national side's build-up to the prestigious KL World 5's tournament in Malaysia during June.

The England side has been drawn from all areas of the game, highlighting the extent to which the game of Futsal is fast becoming popularised in England and includes Team Bath star Marc Canham.

"I am excited by the challenge that these two fixtures present and by the potential within this squad in these early stages of our Futsal development," said England's national Futsal coach Graeme Dell.

"This squad will potentially have six games together within four weeks and that is a massive benefit to me as a coach in order to do some quality work with them whilst the players can use the time to create a better understanding between each other.

"Marc Canham, Ben Walker and Louis Axcell are three exciting young prospects who I think will have a great future in this game and their athleticism and brightness makes them stand out on any court."

The two fixtures will take place in a specially constructed indoor arena at the English Institute of Sport at Bath University with a 7.30pm kick-off on Monday and a 1pm kick-off on Tuesday.

Entry to the matches is free but spectators are advised to arrive early.