Courtesy: UEFA.com

Bertoni thrilled by Boomerang

Thursday, 2 November 2006

by Andy Hall

from Madrid

Boomerang Interviú rarely rest on their laurels. They may have clinched the UEFA Futsal Cup for the second time in three years last May, but they are eager to succeed again and recently recruited Brazilian-born star Edgar Rocha Bertoni, a European champion with his adopted country Italy.

Adapting well
The 25-year-old has been in Spain for only a couple of months, but already has four goals to his name. His new team are eager to reclaim their domestic crown as well as retain the UEFA Futsal Cup - which they enter in December's Elite round, and for which the draw is made on Friday. And the signing from Luparense C/5 is adapting well despite the pressure of playing for one of the sport's most famous names.

Welcomed
"It was a bit difficult when I arrived but everyone has been fantastic - the players, the staff and the fans - everybody has helped me," Bertoni told uefa.com. "My only concern is making sure that I am in peak form - which is vital when you are surrounded by so many great players".

Italian lowdown
Bertoni has already noticed a few differences between the Serie A1 and Spain's División de Honor. "There is more physical contact [in Italy] because the pitches are slightly smaller than the ones here," he said. "In Spain, you have more space, more time to think and maybe that makes Spanish futsal more exciting. Also Italian teams place more emphasis on getting the three points; once you go behind to an Italian side, it is very difficult to get back in contention. In contrast, it's not uncommon here to be winning comfortably but end up drawing a game."

Tough customers
The Italian challenge in this season's UEFA Futsal Cup comes in the shape of mini-tournament hosts Arzignano Grifo C/5, potential opponents for Boomerang who Bertoni knows very well. He explained: "Arzignano are extremely difficult to beat at home. They can spend long periods just defending and soaking up the pressure then suddenly hit you on the counterattack. If we meet them at any point in the UEFA Futsal Cup, then we must try and be as relaxed as possible and make sure that we play our own game as playing them is not easy."

European atmosphere
Bertoni is unfazed on mention of the vociferous atmospheres that have become associated with European futsal occasions, after all Boomerang are regularly spurred on by a battery of drums, klaxons and enthusiastic vocal support in their home just outside Madrid. "You are going to find a pretty lively atmosphere wherever you go," he said. "I remember playing in Portugal and the fans were deafening but we are all used to that now. Once you are out on the pitch you block it all out and get on with the job in hand."

'Expectation'
Now back at the top of the table in Spain, Boomerang will be focusing on Friday's European draw and Bertoni admits that he will be keeping a watchful eye on matters as they unfold in Nyon. But whoever he and his team-mates meet, Bertoni insists that the pressure for success is no greater. "During the past five years, Boomerang have won everything there is to win and so the expectation to keep delivering is always there," Bertoni said. "But we have to deal with that pressure as best as we can because ultimately our aim is to defend the trophy."


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