Courtesy: UEFA.com

Last four eye Sunday showpiece

Friday, 18 February 2005

By Greg Demetriou in Ostrava

A repeat of the 2001 UEFA European Futsal Championship final stands out in today's semi-finals of the 2005 edition.

Sunday final

Four years ago, Spain played Ukraine in a thrilling final in Moscow with the southern European side coming out on top after a 2-1 extra-time victory. At 15.30CET, the teams will meet again at the CEZ Arena in Ostrava for the right to take on Italy or Russia, who face off at 18.30, in Sunday's final.

Plenty of success

Since the 2001 finals, Spain have gone on to win the 2004 FIFA Futsal World Championship, intriguingly beating Ukraine 2-0 in the group stage, while their opponents fell again at the last hurdle in the 2003 European Championship, going down 1-0 to Italy. Meanwhile, the Azzurri's last finals encounter with today's opponents came two years ago in the same competition when their 1-0 victory helped send the Russians home early.

World class

There is nothing much to choose between the last four, although Spain and Italy are regarded by many as the strongest sides in the world, the mighty Brazil and Argentina included. Russia coach Oleg Ivanov summed up the threat facing him and his Ukrainian counterpart, Gennadiy Lysenchuk.

Difficult task

"The semi-finals are going to be very difficult," Ivanov said. "Italy and Spain are both very strong, both very different. Italy are emotional and take risks - Spain are a clever side with a wonderful tactical balance." Targeting a potential final against their neighbours and old rivals, Lysenchuk added: "There is no need to motivate our players."

Respectful and ready

Javier Lozano and Alessandro Nuccorini, the coaches of Spain and Italy respectively, have both been fulsome in praise of their opponents. Lozano said the yellow-clad Ukrainians would be afforded the same respect as Brazil while Nuccorini described the eastern Europeans as "two very strong teams". With three former winners and a two-time finalist on view, today's action promises to be mouth-watering.