Ukraine grab a degree of success

(FIFA.com) 21 Oct 2004

The Mediterranean island of Mallorca was the beautiful backdrop for the 9th World University Futsal Championship between 4 and 10 October 2004. Organised by FISU (the International University Sports Federation), the tournament featured sixteen teams: Brazil, France, Great Britain, Serbia & Montenegro, Spain, Portugal, Ukraine, Russia, Slovakia, Czech Republic, Turkey, Switzerland, Hungary, Slovenia, Poland and Israel.

Euphoric Ukraine

It was no great surprise that the final of such a high quality tournament should see Brazil taking on Ukraine. The Futsaleros from the Sugar Loaf brought a young, inexperienced team, while Ukraine fielded a veteran side in comparison, and it turned out, experience prevailed. The physically stronger, wily Ukraine outfit forced the pace in the first half, scoring twice through Vitaliy Nesteruk and Artem Kovalyov. Midway through the second period, Nesteruk struck his second to give his side a comfortable 3-0 advantage, a lead they then set out to defend. The attacking endeavours of the Brazilians were often snuffed out before they could pose any genuine threat, and although the South Americans did manage to get on the scoresheet, it proved no more than a consolation as Ukraine ran out 3-1 winners. Russia, meanwhile, secured third place in a thrilling 3-2 play-off win over hosts Spain.

The medal ceremony saw Tomas Sluka of Czech Republic crowned top scorer for the tournament, with Russia's Gennady Garagulia receiving the honour of best goalkeeper. Gabrel Kranjera from Brazil was awarded the distinction of player of the tournament while Great Britain received the fair play award.

The FISU representatives who had travelled to Palma were pleased with the tournament and reserved special thanks for the local organising committee led by José Luis Berbel for their intensive and successful endeavours. Further thanks were extended to the numerous volunteers who had sacrificed endless hours for the benefit of the sport and international relations. Pedro Días, member of the FISU Executive Committee, John Warnock, Chairman of the Football and Futsal Technical Commission, and Fernand Bottelberghs, representative of the International Control Commission, Dr. Larry Rink of the Medical Commission, Treasurer Roberto Outeiriño and FISU journalist Christian Pierre expressed their delight with the way the event had unfolded and passed on the congratulations of the teams.

The build-up to the tournament also featured a FIFA-organised referees' seminar, led by Tom van der Hulst, member of the FIFA Futsal Committee and referees' instructor. The seminar was attended by the 16 official referees of the tournament as well as the new FIFA Futsal Development Manager Jaime Yarza. FIFA received positive feedback from the referees, who reported that they had taken some new ideas on board. Essentially, the Laws of the Game were structured in simpler language and adapted more closely to the spirit of FIFA. These laws will be applied at the FIFA Futsal World Championship Chinese Taipei 2004. The seminar gave the referees the opportunity to take valuable experience and knowledge back to their home countries to further the development of the game around the world.
The tournament in Mallorca showed once again that futsal has a fantastic present and an assured future. All eyes now will be on the FIFA Futsal World Championship Chinese Taipei between 21 November and 5 December 2004. Can Ukraine repeat their outstanding performance? Stayed tuned to FIFA.com in the coming weeks to find out.

Results:

Matchday 1

Slovenia - Turkey 5-5
Brazil - Hungary 10-1
Slovakia - Poland 1-1
Russia - Czech Republic 4-4
Ukraine - Portugal 1-0
Switzerland - France 2-3
Serbia & Montenegro - Great Britain 15-0

Matchday 2

Portugal - Serbia & Montenegro 5-2
Israel - Slovenia 0-3
Czech Republic - Switzerland 21-5
Hungary - Slovakia 2-5
Ukraine - Great Britain 18-0
Brazil - Poland 4-1
Russia - France 12-0
Spain - Turkey 12-0

Matchday 3

Brazil - Slovakia 2-0
Hungary - Poland 2-6
Great Britain - Portugal 0-20
Ukraine - Serbia & Montenegro 4-1
Czech Republic - France 14-6
Russia - Switzerland 18-1
Spain - Slovenia 3-1
Israel - Turkey 5-3

Matchday 4

France - Great Britain 1-1 (4-3 on penalties)
Turkey - Slovakia 5-6
Russia - Portugal 6-4
Slovenia - Brazil 0-6
Switzerland - Serbia & Montenegro 1-8
Israel - Hungary 2-2 (3-2 on penalties)
Czech Republic - Ukraine 3-3 (2-3 on penalties)
Spain - Poland 6-1

Matchday 5

Hungary - Switzerland 7-2
Great Britain - Turkey 4-12
Poland - Czech Republic 3-4
Portugal - Slovenia 5-0
Israel - Serbia & Montenegro 3-5
France - Slovakia 2-3
Spain - Ukraine 2-2 (3-4 on penalties)
Russia - Brazil 4-7

Matchday 6

Switzerland - Great Britain 5-1
Hungary - Turkey 11-4
Israel - France 6-3
Serbia & Montenegro - Slovakia 6-0
Poland - Slovenia 5-3
Czech Republic - Portugal 3-4
Spain - Russia 2-3 (third place play-off)
Brazil - Ukraine 1-3 (Final)

Final standings

1. Ukraine
2. Brazil
3. Russia
4. Spain
5. Portugal
6. Czech Republic
7. Poland
8. Slovenia
9. Serbia & Montenegro
10. Slovakia
11. Israel
12. France
13. Hungary
14. Turkey
15. Switzerland
16. Great Britain