Courtesy: FIFA.com

Futsal's Copa Intercontinental

Boomerang Interviu land elusive title

(FIFA.com) 12 Apr 2005

Leading futsal teams from around the world gathered last week in the Spanish town of Puertollano (250 km south of Madrid) to take part in the VIII Copa Intercontinental. Boomerang Interviu from Spain, Benfica from Portugal, the Brazilian teams Malwee and Carlos Barbos (the latter reigning champions), Fire Fox from Japan and Pittsburgh from the USA went head to head for the title. Seven action-packed games and 63 goals later, the Spaniards were the last team standing much to the delight of their delirious home supporters.
Having been split into two groups, the teams played each other in a mini-league format with the top side from each group going through to the final. The tournament provided further proof, though, of the disparity in futsal standards between the continents. The Japanese champions, Fire Fox, and their USA counterparts, Pittsburgh, looked out of their depth against ruthless European and Brazilian opposition.

The Asian side conceded 7 goals against Boomerang and 11 against Benfica, leaving the Iberian teams to battle it out for a place in the final. Knowing that the Lisbon side only needed a draw to advance, the Spaniards went on the offensive from the first minute, running up a hugely impressive 8-1 score line.

Meanwhile in Group A, the Brazilian derby between Carlos Barbosa and Malwee finished 1-1 with goal difference required to decide the group. Malwee's 15-0 rout of Pittsburgh was impossible to better and, despite an 11-1 win against the USA side, Carlos Barbosa's hopes of defending their title were dashed.

A final to savour
On Sunday 10 April, the Puertollano Municipal Centre was packed to the rafters as 3,500 boisterous fans were treated to a feast of futsal between two giants of the indoor game. Boomerang Inteviu, the reigning European champions, with three members of Spain's FIFA World Championship-winning side - Luis Amado, Javi Limones and Andreu - in their ranks, were up against Brazilian champions Malwee for the right to be called intercontinental club champions.

The Spanish side came out with all guns blazing and their relentless early pressure was rewarded with an inspired opening goal from Marquinho on two minutes. The Brazilians kept their composure, however, and levelled the match shortly after. Their tails up, Malwee then laid siege to Luis Amado's goal forcing the home side to soak up the pressure and wait for their chances on the break. It was a strategy that paid dividends shortly before the interval as Boomerang went ahead for the second time from a counter-attack.

In the second half, the Spanish side enjoyed the lion's share of possession but could find no way past an inspired Bage in goal. As the chances went begging, signs of nerves began to creep into the Boomerang play, which allowed the Brazilians some clear sights of goal. Then, against the run of play, another piece of brilliance by Marquinho saw the Spaniards go 3-1 up and move within touching distance of the title. Malwee, however, were not finished yet and set up a thrilling finale when Marcio cut the deficit to 3-2.

But the day belonged to Marquinho, and it was only fitting that he should get his hat-trick and effectively end the Brazilians' resistance. Daniel let fly with a blistering shot from just inside his own half, which cannoned off the post and back into the path of Marquinho, who steered home the rebound to calm the local supporters' nerves. Julio put some gloss on the score line late on with another powerful strike from long range to give Boomerang a comfortable 5-2 win in the end.

The Spanish team's coach Jesus Candelas, was understandably euphoric after the final whistle. "We performed really well in this competition and I'd like to dedicate the title to all those who work with me day in day out," said the coach who also paid tribute to the passionate home supporters. "From a sporting and organisational point of view, this tournament has been an unqualified success. Our triumph here is due in no small part to this magnificent group of supporters," he said.

The win allowed Boomerang to complete their set of futsal titles and become only the second Spanish side after Caja Segovia in 2000 to lift the Copa Intercontinental.

Results:
Group A.
Carlos Barbosa - Pittsburgh 11-1
Malwee - Pittsburgh 15-0
Carlos Barbosa - Malwee 1-1

Group B.
Boomerang Interviu - Fire Fox 7-0
Benfica - Fire Fox 11-0
Boomerang Interviu - Benfica 8-1

Final
Boomerang Interviu - Malwee 5-2



Courtesy: FIFA.com

UEFA Futsal Cup

Charleroi and Moscow tussle for Boomerang title

(FIFA.com) 22 Apr 2005

The focus switches from hoops to goalposts at the Spiroudome in Charleroi on Saturday 23 April, when basketball cracks Spirou temporarily give up their home venue for the eagerly-awaited UEFA Futsal Cup final first leg between Action 21 Charleroi and Dinamo Moscow. Thirty-two clubs from 31 different nations entered the competition last September, but with the field whittled down to the last two, the only certainty is that the trophy will leave Spain for the first time.
Action 21, noisily cheered on by nearly 7,000 home fans, emerged victorious from the decisive qualifying tournament a few weeks ago thanks to a Lucio effort 22 seconds from the end of a pulsating final to earn a 2-2 draw against Spanish favourites and defending champions Boomerang Interviú. Action 21's do-or-die finish saw them pull off their keeper and attack with five outfield players in a frantic closing phase, the draw proving enough for a third final appearance in the last four years after 2002 and 2003. El Pozo Murcia, Spain's last remaining representatives, failed to survive the second qualifying tournament in Moscow a short time later.

The Belgian futsal champions, spurred on by another capacity home crowd, will be chasing a decent result to take with them for the return in Moscow a week later. The Russians are equally well known as a good home side with a boisterous following. Charleroi's dress rehearsal for the European final went awry with a 4-3 defeat in Châtelet, although coach Sergio Benatti rested the majority of his first-choice stars, fielding only Liliu Wilson and François-Xavier Deswijsen of his established names.

"The team which proves the stronger tactically and physically will win," he told UEFA.com. "We dream of winning the UEFA Futsal Cup but we know that the Russians have the same objective. These are the biggest matches of the season and we would like to win the title for our owners and our fans, to thank them for their support."

The Belgians feature a clutch of talented Brazilians in a technically gifted line-up with the ability to command and control a contest at will. Furthermore, Charleroi have amassed a wealth of experience on the international stage, in stark contrast to their novice Russian opponents. However, Dinamo bristle with pace and mirror the Russian national side in favouring a textbook counter-attacking style.

One of Russia's newest futsal clubs, Dinamo came into existence on 8 May 2002 and are making a second appearance in the UEFA Futsal Cup. They will hope a small band of travelling fans provide some welcome support on Saturday, although the Russians will struggle to make themselves heard against the din generated by the home following. Ninety diehards have pledged to make the demanding trek to cheer on their heroes, travelling in a fleet of buses and cars via Belarus, Poland and Germany. A further 30 fans, most with family ties to the Russian embassy, were waiting to greet the players on arrival.

The Moscow side has refused to leave anything to chance, arranging special training sessions on the Teraflex surface installed at the venue. "Teraflex is slower and makes different demands on the muscles. Players react differently to it. It looks better, although a parquet surface is faster. Teraflex is better suited to the demands of television, and it's the surface of the future," explains coach Juriy Rudnev.

Brazilian Juan, the star in Moscow and currently second in the Uefa Futsal Cup scoring charts on 10 goals, is in no doubt as to the severity of the upcoming task: "Charleroi feature a blend of Brazilian and European styles. They're an exceptional unit. It's not as if they've only come together for this season. They've already finished runners-up twice, so they're doubly determined to win the trophy, but it's in our own hands. We have to be looking for a draw in Belgium, and then our fans will carry us to victory in Russia," Juan told the official club website.

Saturday's final will be refereed by Massimo Cumbo of Italy and Hungary's Károly Török, who took charge of the Uefa European Futsal Championship final between Spain and Russia in Ostrava last February. Zbigniew Kosmala of Poland is the third official.



Courtesy: FIFA.com

UEFA Futsal Cup

Moscow set fair despite first leg defeat

(FIFA.com) 26 Apr 2005

The vast majority of a capacity 6,500 crowd at the Spiroudome in Charleroi was well pleased at half-time in the UEFA Futsal Cup Final first leg as hosts Action 21 appeared firmly on course for a debut European title. Goals from Andre, Robinho, Alex and Eder had put the Belgians in a commanding position with only Sirilo replying for visitors Dinamo Moscow. The 4-1 lead after the first 20 minutes hardly hinted at what was to come in the second period, as the Russians fought back to lose by the odd goal.
Charleroi coach Sergio Benatti was far from happy afterwards: "Given the away goals rule, I'd rather have won 1-0 instead of 4-3. We excelled in the first half but missed a huge opportunity to take a 5-1 lead. Moscow's second goal turned the game on its head. 4-3 is better than 4-4, but it'll be hard for us in Moscow. And we don't yet know whether Kelson will be fit in time for the return."

The Russian defence was breached for the first time on 11 minutes as Andre volleyed the home side in front from Robinho's precise cross. Just seconds later, Robinho netted a fine solo effort, only for Sirilo to conjure up an immediate reply. The frantic action continued as Charleroi captain Alex restored the two-goal advantage.

Action 21 continued to pour forward and created a string of openings, Eder adding a fourth to underline the Belgians' dominance, although the home side lost key figure Kelson to injury before the interval.

After the restart, Alex spurned a golden opportunity to increase the lead but was denied by the brilliance of Moscow keeper Stepanov. The Russians gratefully accepted the let-off and clawed their way back into the match. Pelé finished off Joan's skilful build-up to double his side's tally as the visitors started making chances of their own.

Alex might have settled Belgian nerves on the break but Moscow were clearly on top now, and Maevski drilled home a fine half-volley to cut the deficit still further. However, the goalscorer collected a yellow card shortly afterwards and will be suspended for Saturday's return. Neither side capitalised on last-gasp opportunities, and the final score remained 4-3 to the Belgians, but Dinamo will feel they hold the psychological edge.

Commented Moscow boss Yuri Rudnev afterwards: "We were fairly consistent across both halves, but Charleroi started strongly and we needed time to get used to the Terraflex surface. I'm delighted we've only lost by a single goal, which has to be a good result away from home."

Both teams will approach the second leg in Moscow next Saturday in optimistic mood, although Charleroi midfielder Andre admitted: "We only have a minor advantage for the return. We made mistakes and missed loads of chances, which you can't be doing at this level."

Dinamo keeper Pavel Stepanov believes his side have their noses in front: "We've lost, but I reckon any kind of win will do us now because of the away goals rule. At half-time, the coach told us to stay cool and focus on our normal game."