Courtesy: UEFA


Santiago claim Copa glory

Monday, 23 January 2006

Boomerang Interviú were denied a third successive Copa de España triumph on Sunday, losing to Autos Lobelle de Santiago FS on penalties after a thrilling 2-2 draw in Zaragoza. Santiago had Toni Lodeiro to thanks for a string of brilliant saves in the final, and his penalty save from Andreu proved the decisive moment in the shootout.

Quarter-finals
The tournament began on Friday with the eight top teams from the first half of the league season in contention. Santiago, who are giving leaders El Pozo Murcia FS and champions Boomerang a run for their money in the División de Honor, began their campaign with a 7-4 quarter-final victory against Polaris World Cartagena. Murcia gained a 4-2 win against Playas de Castellón, Martorell FS overcame a 2-0 half-time deficit to defeat MRA Gvtarra Navarra 3-2 and Boomerang crushed hosts DKV Seguros Zaragoza 8-3.

Thrillers
Both semi-finals proved thrillers. Murcia led Santiago 1-0 with three minutes left in their tie before Betão equalised. Serpa then struck twice in the first four minutes of silver goal extra time, and although Cobeta pulled one back, Lobelle progressed 3-2. Boomerang and Martorell's game was scoreless after 40 minutes, but Daniel and Schumacher found the target in extra time to send Boomerang through 2-0.

Penalties drama
In the final, Boomerang's bid for a hat-trick of titles started cagily, as Ciço put Santiago ahead before Andreu equalised instantly on the stroke of half-time. Ciço struck again in the 25th minute, but with eight minutes left Schumacher levelled and the score remained at 2-2 throughout extra time. The game went to penalties, but each side missed two of their regulation five, forcing sudden death. After Alemao and Luis were both successful, Toni Lodeiro denied Andreu allowing Pitu to give Lobelle a 5-4 victory and the trophy for the first time.

'Mental strength'
Lobelle coach Venancio López said: "The key to beating Boomerang was the mental strength the team have had all through the competition". He added: "Maybe winning after penalties wasn't the fairest way, but it was the most exciting."

Lisbon trip
His opposite number, Jesús Candelas, said: "The muses of good luck abandoned us, and the best player of all was Santiago's goalkeeper, Toni Lodeiro." Boomerang's bid to regain the UEFA Futsal Cup begins on Sunday against Cristal Noir MB Morlanwelz of Belgium. They meet Kazakhstan's Kairat Almaty the next day before their Tuesday encounter with Group A hosts - and the side Boomerang beat to win the 2004 edition - SL Benfica.



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