Courtesy: UEFA.com

Spanish sides set the pace

Sunday, 3 September 2006

by Paul Saffer

Maybe it is unsurprising, given their status as reigning world and European champion nation, that Spain monopolised the UEFA Futsal Cup in its first three editions - and made it four out of five last season.

Early days
Playas de Castellón FS won the opening two titles, but it was their eventual victims in both those finals, Action 21 Charleroi of Belgium, who had the honour of winning the inaugural match in the competition on 8 October 2001, beating Czech champions Pramen Havlickuv Brod 7-3 on their way to clinching qualifying round Group 1.
The first two goals of the tournament were scored by Charleroi's Pedro Medina.

Castellón capture title
Charleroi were indeed one of eight qualifying group winners who progressed to a national team-style final tournament at Lisbon's Pavilhão Atlántico. After four sides emerged from the group stage, both semi-finals were clear-cut affairs. Playas de Castellón FS beat hosts Sporting Clube de Portugal 4-0 while Charleroi defeated MNK Split 7-3. Four days before the final, the Spanish title-holders had overcome their Belgian rivals 3-1 in a group game. In the decider, Castellón again prevailed, winning 5-1.

Entry increases
With the competition now established, the number of entrants the following season rose from 27 to 30 in 2002/03. This time the two four-team groups of first qualifying round victors were held in separate venues, and only the pool winners would advance to a two-legged final. It seemed new Spanish champions Boomerang Interviú had beaten hosts Charleroi to win Group A thanks to an 8-5 victory. But in their final group game against Nickel, Boomerang fielded an ineligible player - an 11-3 win therefore became a 3-0 loss and Charleroi progressed on goal difference.

Successful defence
Castellón, in as holders, ensured a rematch of the first final, beating hosts Prato, Shakhtar and Niš to win Group B. Castellón's 100 per cent winning record in the competition ended in the first leg of the final, as home side Charleroi held them 1-1. The second leg was a thriller, Castellón prevailing 5-3 to win 6-4 on aggregate after several twists and turns.

Record win
By 2003/04, 33 teams were lining up, necessitating a preliminary round in which AS Odorheiu Secuiesc of Romania beat England's Tranmere Victoria FC 17-2 on aggregate. However, there were familiar faces emerging from the first qualifying round including Castellón and Charleroi - who beat FC Olimpic Tirana 44-3 in their opening game.

Boomerang buoyant
However, it was all change in the next stage. Castellón's hold on the title was ended by arch-rivals Boomerang, a 2-2 draw in the deciding game eliminating the champions by two points, although they remain unbeaten in any match in the tournament's history. Meanwhile, to the delight of the home crowd in Lisbon, Benfica beat Charleroi 5-4 to clinch their group. Boomerang now had the task of keeping the trophy in Spain. A 4-1 home leg win in Madrid got them off to the right start, and although Benfica triumphed 4-3 in Lisbon a week later, Boomerang remained 7-5 ahead overall.

Spanish shock
The Spanish monopoly ended in 2004/05. Their two representatives - Boomerang and El Pozo Murcia FS - both reached the second qualifying round but were then pipped by group hosts Charleroi and Dinamo in final-game thrillers, the Belgian champions equalising against the holders in the final seconds to go through on goal difference.

Charleroi celebrate
Charleroi staged the first leg of their record third final and led 4-1 at half-time before two Dinamo goals gave them hope. The return in Moscow was a thriller, and both teams led at various stages before Sergei Ivanov's 38th-minute goal made it 7-7 on aggregate and forced extra time. Charleroi then Dinamo led in the additional minutes before Kelson and Eder struck in quick succession to give Charleroi a decisive 10-9 overall lead.

Schumacher heroics
Dinamo reached the final again last season, defeating Kazakhstani innovators Kairat Almaty in the new two-legged semi-final round - but standing in their way were Spanish opposition. Boomerang were determined to win back their crown, and keep up Spain's unbeaten record in the final. The first leg in Madrid was a close affair until Schumacher completed a hat-trick at the death to put Boomerang 6-3 up, meaning that although Dinamo again won 4-3 over 40 minutes in the home return, this time it did not produce extra time.




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