Courtesy: The Fa.com


Runners and riders

Tuesday, 18 July 2006

The 16 finalists for this year’s FA Futsal Cup illustrate both the steady growth of the game in England and its roots in football communities across the world.

A growth in the number of qualifying competitions from 20 to 30 leagues has required the introduction of an additional qualifying round which has matched the winners of new leagues against those teams finishing in the runners up spot of established competitions.

London White Bear FC are back once again to contest the title they won in 2004. Few teams prepare as thoroughly as the team that draws its players predominantly from Russian, Ukrainian and Georgian émigrés in London.

The Bear’s manager Olexandr Saliy frequently tours local five-a-side centres in London on the look out for new players that have the ability to join his talented squad. The Bears are desperate to once again take the national title and gain entry into the UEFA Futsal Cup – the Champions League of Futsal.

The London club's first experience of European competition saw them miss out on qualification to the later stages despite winning two of their three games against the champions of France, Albania and Georgia.

Doncaster College for the Deaf caused a shock in 2005 by winning the FA Futsal Cup despite the presence of many more established sides.

They will make history in September when they will become the first deaf team to contest a mainstream UEFA competition when they seek qualification against the champions of Andorra, Switzerland and Moldova.

Doncaster’s progress to the final was far from certain. They scraped into a play-off position by securing second place in the Sheffield League in their last match and then had to win a keenly contested play-off against representatives from Nottingham and the Wirral.

The winners of the Sheffield League, Ravenous Taverners, are bolstered by the inclusion of three England Futsal Internationals in the team and have emerged through one of the country’s most competitive leagues.

Also confident will be Kickers FC from London - a team of Brazilians who bring with them a South American understanding of the tactics and techniques of Futsal.

Kickers finished ahead of Baltic FC – the Lithuanian derived team who faded in the final last year but who have prepared for this tournament with a high level tournament in Portugal.

The continental feel to the 2006 FA Futsal Cup is completed with the inclusion of the Ipswich Wolves who have assembled a highly skilful Portuguese squad having won the Suffolk League.

Trydovie Reserves drew upon Eastern European players in London to secure second spot in the Hackney League and then play-off victories against the winners of the Hampshire and Huntingtonshire County FA Leagues.

The English challenge for the title may very well be led by Tranmere Victoria who frequently contest European Tournaments to sharpen their Futsal skills. The ‘Vics’ have also the led the way by establishing the first women’s team who can be seen in action over the weekend against the England Deaf Women’s Team.

Other dark horses include Vaughans who include in their number Alex Sykes – England’s top goalscorer and possibly the tournament’s most skilful player – and Rob Ursell.

FC Corinthians are back for a second time having prepared for this tournament by taking part in the FPL Seria A League at Crystal Palace which brought together the best teams in the south east.

Manchester are represented in the tournament for the first time with the involvement of Salford Victoria who will wish to translate the success they enjoy in 11-a-side football and five-a-side into the demands of Futsal.

Last year’s plate winners Washwood Heath have evolved into Team United and have benefited from the support of Birmingham Council for the development of the game in the city.

Barsa FC, managed by Kevin Barr, were the winners of the Leeds League and then a play-off against the representatives of the Halifax competition. They are the youngest team in the tournament but have a number of players that England Manager Graeme Dell – here this weekend to identify talent for the F30 Development Squad - will cast his eye over.

Grimsby has long been one of the hot beds of Futsal in England but its representatives have struggled to make their mark in successive FA Futsal Finals. Nicol Magpies will hope to turn this trend on its head and come to the EIS on the back of a stirring 6-5 play-off victory against the Grimsby Bears.

The tournament line up is completed by two first timers – Shropshire Sport and Norwich Union of the York League who will look to surprise more experienced opposition.



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