Courtesy: UEFA

World acclaim for Spanish stars

Monday, 7 February 2005

Spain's Javi Rodríguez has received a timely boost on the eve of the 2005 UEFA European Futsal Championship after being voted the second best player in the world.

Prestigious award

The 30-year-old Playas de Castellón FS attacker was second behind Brazil's Falcão in the prestigious awards, which are run by the highly respected www.futsalplanet.com website. Javi Rodríguez was a major influence in Spain's recent success at the 2004 FIFA Futsal World Championship and is set to shine at the European event in Ostrava between 14-20 February.

Foglia fifth

Third place also went to a Spanish star with Marcelo, the top scorer at the world finals in Chinese Taipei being rewarded for his nine-goal haul. Last year's winner, Adriano Foglia of Italy, was the next highest-European player by finishing fifth. Futsal experts from across the globe vote in the awards, which are in now in their fifth staging.

Other awards

Spain dominated the other awards with Javier Lozano and Luis Amado getting the best coach and best goalkeeper prizes respectively, as both did in 2003. Not surprisingly, Spain replaced Italy as best national team of the year. The country also claimed the honour for best referee with the experienced Pedro Ángel Galán Nieto, who will be officiating in Ostrava next week, being recognised for his continued excellence.