Courtesy: FIFA.com

El Pozo and Tecnocasa crowned in Castellón

(FIFA.com) 14 Sep 2006

The 2006/2007 futsal season got underway last weekend in Castellón de La Plana, Spain, where the first competition using FIFA's new rules was held.

Castellón de La Plana was the setting last weekend for the season's opening tournament, at which El Pozo Murcia Turística and Tecnocasa Móstoles were crowned champions of the men's and women's sections respectively.

As well as adopting the new FIFA futsal rules, the men's competition also changed its format, allowing four sides to compete for the first time, with the action beginning at the semi-final stage. Read on as FIFA.com brings you a brief summary of both competitions.

A second star for El Pozo
El Pozo Murcia Turística F.S quite literally had their prayers answered at the tournament after the players, coaching staff and club officials made the traditional floral offering to the patron saint of Murcia, La Virgen de la Fuensanta, the previous week.

Days later the reigning league champions made the journey to Castellón to lift the club's latest title. "We were due this bit of joy, especially after losing the Copa de España," said El Pozo's president Pedro Orenes. "For four years we've been working with the same group of players, and now we're starting to see the fruits. This is important as it's a reflection of the hard work and prestige of the club," he added proudly.

Coach Eduardo Sao Thiago, better known as Duda, set his side the task of winning the club's second Supercopa title - the first was back in 1995 - and make up for the disappointment of a final defeat in the same competition in 2003. His charges would prove as good as their word and deliver in style.

In their first match, the team from Murcia swept past Polaris Cartagena 7-3 in a repeat of the last league final but then found the going much tougher in the decider against Lobelle de Santiago. In front of a 1,000-strong crowd, the champions were pushed all the way, before finally sealing a 3-2 win with a dramatic goal 24 seconds from time by substitute Cobeta.

In spite of the anguished finale, Orenes claimed he had been "confident we would come away with the victory", later promising his side a luxury trip for their efforts. "I'll be taking the players on a cruise of the Mar Menor and we'll all eat some caldero (a Murcian rice and fish dish)."

Pitu on point for Tecnocasa
The women's final was held at the Ciudad de Castello Arena and pitted the league champions Tecnocasa Móstoles against the Cup holders Preconte Telde Gran Canaria.
As expected the game turned out to be a keenly fought affair, providing top class entertainment for a large crowd that included some of the top officials in the Spanish game, such as Ángel María Villar, President of the Royal Spanish Football Federation.

The action came thick and fast with Patricia González, or 'Pitu' as she is known, scoring four times in the opening 31 minutes to help give Tecncoasa Móstoles a 5-0 lead. Preconte Telde refused to lie down, however, and, after a thrilling fight-back, only went down 7-5 in the end.

With this victory, Ángel Sáiz's side confirmed their status as favourites to retain the league championship set to kick off on 23 September.



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