Here is our presentation of the last three futsal "Queens" taking part in the Intercontinental Cup 2005 in Puertollano (Spain). Enjoy it!



Related link:

- Tournament fixture: have a look!



Special thanks to Yasutsugu Arai (Pivo!) and Luis Neves for their priceless collaboration.

Group B

Boomerang Interviu

City: Madrid (Spain)

Web Site: www.interviuboomerang.com


2004 Dream team

Known also as the maquina verde, Boomerang Interviu has been the undisputed leading character of International futsal in 2004, regarding clubs competitions in Spain, as well in Europe. No surprise when the Jesus Candelas' guys were crowned as Best Club of the Year in the recent Futsalplanet.com awards 2004. Season 2003/2004 was definitely unforgettable for the Madrilenian side, which was able to conquer all the 5 competitions in which they played (the only exception was the "Torneo Comunidad de Madrid", defeated by Mostoles in August 2004): Super Cup (click here), XV Copa de España (click here), Taça Ibérica (click here), Division de Honor (click here) and UEFA Futsal Cup (click here). Can you ask for more?

Different season

The current season seems to be harder for Boomerang, though the team is still to be considered as one of the best of futsal world, no doubts. The first seasonal important defeat came in Sevilla, where was played the last edition of the Spanish Super cup that went to Playas de Castellon (click here). But the real disappointing result went from Charleroi (Belgium): a Lucio's last goal condemned Boomerang (click here), giving them no chance to revalidate their UEFA Futsal Cup title.

Pamplona's triumph

Between the two previous competitions, Boomerang showed again its willing to be the best one, by conquering the XVI Copa de España in Pamplona, at the end of an entertaining final against the surprising Azkar Lugo (click here). It was not an expected result, not at all at least, as Boomerang was experiencing some problems in that period.



Full of stars

Not easy to mention the best players to admire in Puertollano, as the team is an absolute group of futsal craques. Starting by the legendary goalkeepers Jesus (the Guatemala 2000's hero) and the best of the world in his role, Luis Amado, we have to go on with the impressive Linares brothers, Joan and Andreu, as well as the ethernal Julio and the great support of Javi Limones. "Good news" also from Brazil: Daniel (Spanish naturalized since many years), Schumacher, Marquinho and the recently signed Neto and Gabriel are top level players. Last but not least, the talented Luis Arrizabalaga, revelation flank-pivot with Unión Tres Cantos in Division de Plata some seasons ago.

"A por la copa!"

Great expections were based by Boomerang staff on this event, as the Intercontinental Cup is the only missing trophy in the dream team showcase.

Roster in Puertollano

Jesús Clavería Domínguez "Jesus" - goalkeeper
Luis Amado Tarodo "Luis Amado" - goalkeeper
David García Vigara - goalkeeper
Julio García Mera Julio - defender
Dovenir Domingues Neto - defender
Flavio Sergio Viana "Schumacher" - defender
Javier Limones Rodríguez Javi Limones - flank
Gabriel Da Silva Dias "Gabriel" - flank
Andreu Linares Rodríguez "Andreu" - flank
Luis Arrizabalaga Llantada "Luis" - flank
Daniel Ibañes Caetano "Daniel" - flank
Angel Velasco Marugán "Velasco" - flank
Francisco José Galán "Kiki" - flank
Marco Aurelio Dos Santos "Marquinho" - pivot
Joan Linares Rodríguez Joan - pivot

Coach: Jesús Candelas Rodrigo





SL Benfica

City: Lisbon (Portugal)

Web Site: www.futsalbenfica.net


Young but ambitious

Though Benfica is playing in the Portuguese first division since just four years (they obtained a place in premiere league by replacing Olimpico) the club directed by Luis Moreira has the strong intention to stay in the futsal elite for a long time. The first titles went during the season 2002/2003, when Benfica was crowned as Portuguese Champion (click here) and Cup holder (click here), with, in addition, the Super Cup victory in the following season (click here). A good start, a brilliant future.

The Boomerang obstacle

During the past season Benfica had its first International experience in the UEFA Futsal Cup (click here), as well in the newly created Taça Ibérica (click here). In both occasion the Alipio Matos' boys were defeated by Boomerang Interviu, even if their performance was definitely satisfactory.

Regular season advantage and Cup chance

Talking about the current season, all it seems to indicate that this could be a successful year for Benfica, which is leading the regular season table and is the expected winner of the Cup Final four to be played in May.



Great local players and Brazilian support

Names like Andrè Lima, Portuguese National team captain, Costinha (Pedro Costa), the talented Ricardinho and Miguel Almeida, as well as other players like Majò and the injured Zè Maria are well known by futsal experts. In addition, as happens in the main European club, a further support is given by the South American talent. Benfica can count on Rogerio Vilela, the former Valencia's flank/pivot Pica Pau and the impressive pivot Micky coming from the Spanish side Gestesa Guadalajara.

Leandrinho still in doubt

No sure news for Adil Amarante about the arrival of another brazilian star in the team, Leandrinho, for the Puertollano's event. Today there should be the definitive communication about this point.

Roster in Puertollano

Bruno Tavares - goalkeeper
Rogério Vilela - defender
Pedro Costa - universal
André Lima - flank
Majó - defender/flank
Micky - pivot
Ricardinho - flank
Nélito - pivot
Pica Pau - flank/pivot
Miguel Almeida - flank
Zé Carlos - goalkeeper

to be confirmed

Leandrinho - flank

Staff

General Director: Luis Moreira
Coach: Adil Amarante
Assistant coach: João Pedro Ferreira
Doctor: Gonçalves Ferreira
Physiotherapist: João Roçado
Staff: Nuno Torres, To Aragão, Zé Vieira





Fire Fox

City: Tokyo (Japan)

Web Site: www.famispo.com/firefox


Simply the best

Nobody can beat them. This is the common thought in Japan. And recent results seems to confirm it. Fire Fox is definitely a kind of Japanese dream team, you just need to analyze the last three competitions won by the "red and yellow" club from Tokyo.

During the current season, infact, Fire Fox had no rivals in the Kanto League (click here), as well as in the 10th All Japan National Championship (click here) and in the recent 5th Regional Championship (click here).
Three titles conquered in a row, never losing a match and with just 3 draw. The only seasonal defeat went in a less important competition, the Tokyo Cup in which Fire Fox was testing some new young players.

7 years history

Fire Fox was founded in 1998 by Takashi Ukai (now working with the Kanto's club Sharks) and Oscar Mazikina (current coach of Forca verde, former Banff Tohoku, All Japan National Championship winner in 2004). A recent but glorious history considering the amount of titles already conquered (4th, 5th, 7th and 10th edition of the All Japan championship, runners up in the 6th and 9th edition)

Defensive skillness

In all its history the defensive ability of team has been probably the main point. This is because the first coach Oscar Mazikina gave this standard to the team to make it stronger. Due to this reason one of the main players of the team is definitely Osamu
Nambata, who will unfortunately miss the Intercontinental cup due to an injury. More notable players are Iwata (as Nambata he will miss the event), Yusuke Komiyama, Takeo Itaya and Ryuji Suzuki. Last three are new entries, also, for the Japan National team and should attend the Japanese travel in Iran.



Not only defense: Kenichiro Kogure is the team star

Thanks to his great performance in Chinese Taipei with the Japanese National team, the great Asian flank/pivot Kenichiro Kogure is the "main name" of the team. After an European trial with Forcom Antwerpen some weeks ago in Belgium, Kogure is back in Japan and keep on entertaining futsal fans, as well as winning titles with Fire Fox.
Kogure was a typical pivot, but is now becoming a more complete player, he's now considered as the best player in Japan, as confirmed by the Futsal Magazine Pivo! award "CRAQUE!" in 2003/2004 that will probably be revalidated for the current season.

Another strong player to be observed in Puertollano is surely Kotaro Inaba, member of the Japanese National team together with Kogure and many others from Fire Fox.
Team coach is Eijyu Matsumura.

Roster in Puertollano

Goalkeepers

Teruo Endo
Kazuo Iguchi

Field players

Yusuke Komiyama
Yoshinari Kei
Tomoyuki Kita
Kotaro Inaba
Ryuichi Komatsu
Takeo Itaya
Kenichiro Kogure
Kentaro Seki
Ryu Sato
Ryuji Suzuki
Hiroshi Minegishi
Chihiro Kubota

Coach: Eijyu Matsumura




Posted by Luca Ranocchiari