Courtesy: UEFA.com

Split searching for more success

Tuesday, 7 November 2006

by Elvir Islamovic

from Zagreb

With the Elite round of the UEFA Futsal Cup to take place from 4 December, uefa.com will over the coming four weeks take a closer look at each of the 16 sides involved. Today, we check out MNK Split, the Croatian champions who are regulars in Europe's premier club futsal competition and who will be a team to fear in Group A.

Early days
Split are without a doubt the most successful futsal club in Croatia, originally dating back to April 1985 in the days of the fomer Yugoslavia. The club, which started out at local level, were first known as MNK Optimist and remained so until the name was changed in 1992 to Club Truman Elektroprijenos. This was the club's identity until 1996 when a merger with MNK Ballantines Trogir saw the dawn of MNK Split.

Barren year
It was a crucial point in the club's history and since they have risen to dominance in Croatia. Their first real success came in 1997 in winning their first national title and they have taken the trophy in every subsequent season since the 2001/02 campaign, except for 2004/05. That one barren domestic campaign meant last year's UEFA Futsal Cup was the only time Split have not entered in the competition's history, their place instead going to Orkan VK Zagreb who fell at the first qualifying round.

European pedigree
It was business as normal last season in Croatia, with Split third in the regular season table but picking up to clinch the play-offs. It has not all been about league success, however, with five Croatian Cups also picked up since the turn of the century. As well as their domestic dominance, Split have a solid standing in the European game, not least because they reached the semi-finals of the inaugural UEFA Futsal Cup in 2001/02.

Clever coach
The club's coach is Mato Stankoviæ, an imposing figure who has been involved in all the club's six league titles. Stankoviæ is one of just two coaches in the country who has graduated in futsal from the Croatian Faculty of Kinesiology, a renowned centre of sports science. They also boast former footballer Robert Jarni, part of the Croatia team that finished third at the 1998 FIFA World Cup and he continues to take much of the headlines. "When we play anyhere in Europe, people are always fascinated," said club chairman Ivo Zokoviæ.

Jukiæ reputation
Like many top clubs, Split also have a Brazilian influence with the presence of 29-year-old Zanata but there is a strong homegrown presence as well. Chief among them is the 19-year-old goalkeeper Ivo Jukiæ who has quickly impressed in Croatian circles and is tipped to become a major talent on the continental scene. As the standard increases, so the expectation grows on the sidelines.

Big demand
Split play at the Gripe hall with a capacity of only 1,100 but because of the club's progress, the venue is regularly sold out. Zokoviæ said: "Even if we had double the capacity, it would not be enough sometimes. We are also excellent in European competitions although we are playing against much stronger clubs financially. But, our secret is in our talent."

Bounced back
The team showed their strength in bouncing back from a surprise defeat by Azeri side Araz Naxçivan during the Main round. They then comfortably saw off Skövde AIK and Athina '90 Athens to qualify in second place from Group 2. Split will be able to afford no such mistakes though when they take on two-time champions Boomerang Interviú, mini-tournament hosts Arzignano Grifo C/5 and Czech challengers CC LKW Jistebnik in the Elite Round.



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