Courtesy: UEFA

Big names back in action

Saturday, 28 January 2006

The last two UEFA Futsal Cup winners - and the last two runners-up - are among the eight contenders kicking off their second qualifying round campaigns on Sunday in Lisbon and Belgrade.

Semi-final prize
As in the past, this stage sees the remaining clubs split into two groups of four. But instead of only the winners qualifying for the final, this time the top two from each pool will progress to a new two-legged semi-final stage. And with each group producing a rematch of one of the last two competition finals, some big clubs will be grateful for that safety net.

Holders' hopes
Belgian holders Action 21 Charleroi are playing in Group B in Belgrade - and on Matchday 2 on Monday will meet the team they defeated in extra time to lift the trophy last April, MFK Dinamo Moskva. The day before, Charleroi play FC Shakhtar Donetsk and Dinamo meet group hosts KMF Marbo Beograd, with the deciding fixtures on Wednesday.

Final rematch
Group A will conclude that day with a rematch of the 2004 final between Spainish champions Boomerang Interviú and the side they beat, SL Benfica, who are staging the pool in Lisbon. The opening fixtures pit Boomerang against Cristal Noir MB Morlanwelz, last season’s Belgian runners-up, and Benfica with Kairat Almaty.



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