Courtesy: UEFA


Madrid and Moscow making waves

Tuesday, 14 March 2006

Spain and Russia are old rivals at the highest level of European Futsal and the countries look to be on collision course again in the 2005/06 UEFA Futsal Cup.

Third act
In the deciding game of the 1999 UEFA European Futsal Championship, Russia beat hosts Spain 4-2 on penalties after a 3-3 draw. Then, 13 months ago, Spain gained revenge by winning 2-1 against Russia in the final of the 2005 edition. A third act of this drama in official UEFA finals is a distinct possibility in this season's UEFA Futsal Cup, with Boomerang Interviú and MFK Dinamo Moskva holding significant leads in their respective semi-finals against FC Shakhtar Donetsk and FC Kairat Almaty.

Andreu again
Six members of Boomerang's predominantly-Spanish squad were part of the country's victorious party in Ostrava last year – not least captain Julio, who lifted the famous trophy, and goalscorer supreme Andreu who struck the opener in the final. The latter was on target twice for his club in the 6-1 away victory against Shakhtar last Thursday, which has left the Madrid side on the verge of the final, as they look to repeat their UEFA Futsal Cup triumph of 2003/04.

'Very sensible'
However, Boomerang coach Jesús Candelas has told uefa.com he will take nothing for granted before the return in the Spanish capital on 25 March, especially given the renowned never-say-die attitude of their illustrious opponents. "First, we have to play at home against Shakhtar and then we will see what happens," he said. "I'm very sensible and to talk about a possible final against Dinamo wouldn't be right until we have settled the semi-final."

Kudlay class
A year ago, two Dinamo players – Pavel Stepanov and Konstantin Maevski – featured for Russia as the country failed to add to its single European success. Much of the Moscow team's quality comes from a sizeable Brazilian contingent and two Ukrainians - Olexiy Popov and Olexiy Kudlay. Kudlay registered as Dinamo won 3-0 in Thursday's first leg in Almaty. The scoreline was somewhat flattering as the Kazakh champions created numerous chances in front of a passionate crowd, and improved finishing on 24 March could quickly change things.

Confident note
Even so, Dinamo assistant coach Aleksandr Shibayev sounded a confident note: "The result we achieved in Almaty was to be expected. It's good that we didn't concede any goals. That makes it harder for our opponents as they will be wondering how to score against us. Kairat did not surprise us with their style of play - they relied on individual skill rather than team play and we kept their main threat, Cacau, in check."

Final four
At this stage a Ukrainian-Kazakhstani final seems unlikely, but both clubs will refuse to give up despite the task facing them next week. Even if ultimately eliminated, they can take comfort from knowing a similar achievement next season would see them involved in the eye-catching 'final four' tournament being introduced from 2006/07 onwards to replace the semi-finals. Incentive indeed to maintain progress, regardless of events in Madrid and Moscow.




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