FA MAKE SHEFFIELD FUTSAL DRAW

England FA National Futsal Championship 2005 Fixture and Results

The Football Association has made the draw for the FA National Futsal Finals, which is being staged in Sheffield next week.

The winners of this competition not only get the right to call themselves National Champions but also go forward into Europe to represent England in the UEFA Futsal Cup.

The top 16 teams from around the country were split into four groups of four to determine the league stage of the tournament at the English Institute of Sport - Sheffield on July 8 - 10.

Reigning Champions Team USSR will defend their title after finishing on top of the North London League. They face Sheffield winners Doncaster College for the Deaf who knocked out former National Champions Sheffield Hallam in their qualifying tournament.

East End Park from Leeds and the exciting East Riding Juniors will also seek to upset these heavyweights in Group A.

Tranmere Victoria, who finished as last year's runners-up, have returned following a 100 per cent record during the qualifying stage.

In Group B they match up against the South American flair of Brasil Utd, Magpies who won the largest of the qualifying leagues in Grimsby and San Marino FC, the new champions of the Cumbrian League.

Group C pitches the Futsal pedigree of Santos from Lancashire against
Vaughans, who make their debut in the Finals courtesy of the contribution of a number of current and former England Futsal Internationals.

Washwood Heath United were the winners of the Birmingham competition whilst Godders FIFA 5 from Suffolk will rely on England International Jamie Godbold for goals and inspiration.

Baltic United were the victors of the South London League that bought
together teams from Lithuania, Japan, Australia, England and Poland. They possess players that have grown up playing Futsal and should be contenders for this year's trophy.

However, Reckits from Hull were the Champions of perhaps the most
competitive of all the qualifying leagues and possess a number of
ex-professionals and non-league players in their squad.

FCF Corinthians won the Kent Competition and will be a strong team with three England Internationals in their starting line up. Yorkrye Futsal Club are the dark horses of Group D and will hope to cause an upset.

Dermot Collins, FA National Manager for Small-Sided Football, said: "The FA hopes the National Futsal Finals will help increase awareness of the game and attract an even greater number of people to play.

"We have to look at ways children can develop the skills and techniques which are the basis of talented individuals and winning teams. Futsal provides one such opportunity."