Courtesy: UEFA.com


Perugia take aim at Boomerang

Thursday, 6 October 2005

by Paolo Menicucci & Andy Hall

Italian champions Erregi Travel Perugia have been handed one of the toughest tasks possible on their UEFA Futsal Cup debut - being placed in a group with Boomerang Interviú FS.

Troubled Perugia
The Spanish title-holders, who won the European crown in 2004, will visit Italy for first qualifying round Group 7 along with Moldova's FC Camelot Chisinau and KMF Alfa Parf Skopje of F.Y.R. Macedonia, who both lost all three games at this stage last season. Perugia may have added the Italian Super Cup to their Scudetto with a 4-2 victory against AS Nepi, but it has otherwise been a troubled summer for the Umbrian side.

Key men leave
Coach Massimo Ronconi and Brazilian playmaker Rogério both left for Lottomatica Roma, while just ahead of the new campaign, club founder, former president and captain Riccardo Gaucci followed them to the capital by joining S.S. Lazio. Gaucci left after fans of AC Perugia began to attend Futsal matches to protest against him and his family, who own the football club that was expelled from Serie A for financial reasons this summer.

New coach
Fulvio Colini, who led Serie C team Nepi to the Coppa Italia last term, has been appointed coach, while important players like Italy goalkeeper Marco Ripesi, Marcio Forte, Danilo Lanconi, Clayton Baptisella and Marcelo Gimenez have decided to stay. Colini said: "We still haven't managed to replace a great pivot like Rogerio in the best way. But we are improving match after match, and now we have to focus on the UEFA Futsal Cup which is very important to us."

President's hope
President Fabrizio Tonelli agrees. "After the Scudetto, we can write another important page in the sporting history of this town," he said. "I hope to see many supporters and a great atmosphere."

Saturday start
Fixtures begin on Saturday with Boomerang meeting Skopje and Perugia playing Chisinau, with further games on Sunday and Tuesday - when the Italian champions face their Spanish counterparts, who missed out on the final last season due to a late Action 21 Charleroi equaliser.

League leaders
Boomerang have played nine first qualifying round matches in this competition, winning each one and scoring 74 goals, and although they lost for the first time this season 4-1 at Autos Lobelle de Santiago FS on Tuesday, Jesús Candelas's side remain top of the División de Honor, probably Europe's most competitive Futsal league.

Rafa arrival
The 2004 European champions have made just one adjustment since last term, poaching prodigious goalkeeping talent Rafa from rivals Playas de Castellón FS to fill the gap left by veteran Jesús, who retired after 18 campaigns with the 'Máquina Verde'.

Spurred on
Forward Javi Limones explained that last season's elimination has served only to whet the appetite to recapture the trophy this time around. "We came so close in last year's tournament and everyone at the club wants to make up for that disappointment but obviously, first we have to qualify which is going to be incredibly difficult," he said. "Undoubtedly, we will be playing for first place in the group against the hosts but we are ready for that challenge."

Other contenders
Skopje are in the tournament for the fourth year running, but are yet to negotiate this stage. Chisinau made their debut last term, and despite losing three times, impressed against three experienced opponents, limiting Sporting Clube de Portugal to a 4-0 scoreline.



Posted by Luca Ranocchiari --> luca.ranocchiari@futsalplanet.com