Courtesy: FIFA


"My life has changed dramatically"

(FIFA.com) 16 Nov 2004

Javier Lozano, 44, has coached the Spanish national futsal team, who won the FIFA Futsal World Championship in Guatemala 2000, since January 1992.

What are your memories of the world title four years ago?

Javier Lozano: It was a fantastic feeling to lift the trophy. We were rewarded for all our hard work and the many sacrifices, and we were worthy winners. I had always dreamt of winning the world championship. In Guatemala that dream came true.


Has winning the world title changed Spanish futsal and your life?

Lozano: I thought the success would have a more positive effect on futsal in my home country, but unfortunately it hasn't. My life has changed dramatically, though. Although I'm still the same person, a lot of people see me differently now. Winning the title has opened doors for me that used to be closed. After Guatemala, for example, I received several lucrative offers of work both in and out of football.

But you didn't accept any of them...

Lozano: I know I am practically on to a loser after winning the world championship. I could have earned more elsewhere, but I stayed because the Spanish football association has faith in me and makes me feel needed and appreciated, even after more than 12 years. Human warmth is worth much more to me than an inflated salary.

As titleholders, what kind of a team will you have in Chinese Taipei?

Lozano: Nine of our world championship team from 2000 are no longer with us. My current side may not be as compact as the one four years ago, and we have not yet reached the level of performance I am aiming for, but when this year's tournament kicks off, Spain will be ready.


Who will win the title?

Lozano: The Futsal World Championship has never been as open as it is this time. Brazil and Spain will start the tournament as favourites, but Italy, Portugal and Argentina can also win it. The Ukraine, Paraguay, Iran and Egypt are dangerous outsiders. While I don't think they have what it takes to go all the way, they are capable of bringing down the favourites.


What sort of a tournament are you expecting in Chinese Taipei?

Lozano: I hope it's going to be a unique festival of football - for the fans, the players, the coaches and the media. I support the decision to play on parquet this year, in contrast to Guatemala. The game is faster and more spectacular on a wooden surface. Another very important point is that studies have proved that players suffer fewer injuries on parquet than they do on synthetic surfaces. Less pleasing is the fact that this year's tournament will last only two weeks and a total of 40 matches will take place in this short space of time. The time for players to rest is minimal, and that could have a negative effect on the quality of the games.

Courtesy: FIFA

Alessandro Nuccorini: "The best possible advert for Futsal"

(FIFA.com) 18 Nov 2004

As we enter the home straight on the road to the FIFA Futsal World Championship Chinese Taipei 2004, Italy coach Alessandro Nuccorini agreed to touch base with FIFA.com. Between a surprise defeat by Slovenia (3-2) and their departure for a tournament where they will be among the favourites, Squadra Azzurra svengali Nuccorini spilled the beans on his squad's preparations and revealed his hopes and aims for Chinese Taipei.

FIFA.com: What stage are you at in your preparations for Chinese Taipei 2004?

Alessandro Nuccorini: At the moment, we have been training every day for the last two weeks and will carry on doing so until Saturday. Then, on Tuesday, we'll be off to Taipei (ed: this interview took place in the middle of last week).

So the next few days will have a decisive bearing on how you approach the competition…

Before we leave, we are focusing on our fitness, but without neglecting technique and tactics. The workload will be easing off over the next few days though.

What is the physical and psychological condition of your players?

I can't yet say we are in peak condition. Ideally, I would have liked more time to prepare for such an important tournament, but it's not that easy to adjust everyone's schedule to fit in with such an event.

You suffered a surprise friendly defeat last week at the hands of Slovenia (3-2). How has this setback affected you?

It's never nice to lose a match but in my view, sometimes you have to know how to accept this kind of disappointment with a critical eye and a willingness to learn lessons for the future.

You had previously gone unbeaten for almost two years. How would you explain this blip?

Defeat can rear its ugly head in any competition and against any opponent. We knew it was bound to come sooner or later, but I'm still confident about our future and believe we're capable of going on another equally long run.

What are you aiming for at Chinese Taipei 2004?

To do well and play attractive football. Anything else will be a bonus. I'm not going to make any predictions, as I find them a bit pointless.

In the first round, you've been drawn in a group that looks eminently winnable. How do you see it going?

I'm sorry but I have to disagree with you. I sincerely believe that Group C, which we're in, will be the toughest. A lot of people will be surprised to see that it is actually the most evenly balanced and definitely the tightest.

Who do you think has the best chance of winning the tournament, apart from Italy of course?

Without a doubt, Brazil and Spain are a cut above all the other teams taking part in this World Championship, but the standard is a lot more even among the teams behind them. Any one of Ukraine, Argentina, Paraguay, Portugal, Iran, Japan, the USA or the Czech Republic could quite easily spring a surprise.

What key qualities do you think the eventual winner will need to have?

There is no magic formula, as there are different ways to win it. One sure thing, however, is that you have to be very strong in all areas and pay attention to the little things, for matches hinge on small details.

Finally, with a few days to go before the start of the FIFA Futsal World Championship Chinese Taipei 2004, if you could wish for anything, what would it be?

The most important thing is that the competition is contested in a tremendous spirit of fair play and that the matches are really entertaining. Then this World Championship will be the best possible advert for Futsal worldwide.