Courtesy: UEFA.com


Pérez relives his Futsal first

Friday, 7 October 2005

by Greg Demetriou & Helen Wood

With the fifth UEFA Futsal Cup upon us, uefa.com catches up with the coach who won the first two editions of the sport's premier European club competition. Faustino Pérez, 36, had the honour of guiding Playas de Castellón FS of Spain to the inaugural title in the 2001/02 season before following that up with a second success in 2002/03.

uefa.com: What are your greatest memories of the UEFA Futsal Cup?

Faustino Pérez: I remember it being a totally new feeling. The fact that it was official and UEFA were there. That made the whole experience more important, more stressful, and we all had greater responsibility. We knew that success or failure took on even greater significance.


uefa.com: What have you been up to since leaving Playas?

Pérez: I was signed by Azkar Lugo FS in December 2003 on a six-month contract which was then extended. We reached the play-offs that first season, then Lugo reached the final of the Copa de España in February 2005. We lost 4-3 to Boomerang Interviú. Both were great achievements as it was the first time Lugo had reached the play-offs and the first involvement in the Copa de España in the club's history.


uefa.com: What are your observations on Spanish Futsal at the moment?

Pérez: There haven't been too many tactical changes, but the league is a lot stronger, because the best foreign players in the world are here.


uefa.com: What do you think of the state of European club Futsal?

Pérez: It's interesting because clubs from countries such as Russia now come to Spain for pre-season training. That gives them more experience. They also learn a lot from the many Brazilian players who play at other European clubs. That is good for the development of the game in other countries. You only need look at the surprising results in last year's Futsal Cup - Spain's top two clubs were overshadowed by the Belgians [Action 21 Charleroi] and the Russians [MFK Dinamo Moskva]. It was a big surprise but it's what makes Futsal even more exciting.


uefa.com: Can Boomerang bounce back in the forthcoming Futsal Cup after last season's disappointment?

Pérez: Last year's competition showed that anything can happen, but I think they have a great chance and I'll tell you why. They have a very compact, homogeneous team with a great coaching staff. Their players have been together longer than at most other clubs in the competition, so the understanding between them is virtually perfect and there is a great understanding with Jesús Candelas, the coach.

In my opinion they have the best goalkeeper in the world, Luis Amado. All the players are strong, but no two players have the same characteristics. That makes them a very difficult team to defend against. And most important, they still seem to have the hunger to carry on winning trophies, they haven't lost any of that ambition after the great success the club have already achieved. Last year's experience will give them even more motivation.


uefa.com: And finally, what does the future hold for Tino Pérez?

Pérez: Well, I left Lugo in March 2005 and received a few coaching offers but none was quite right. I will see if any opportunities arise in November/December this year. In the meantime, I'm studying physical education teacher training at Universidad Jaime I in Castellon. I'd be happy to continue in Spain but equally happy to take on a role abroad, in Italy, Japan or wherever. If an interesting project were to arise abroad I would grab the opportunity with both hands. We shall see.






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