Courtesy: UEFA.com

Spain come out top in Russia

Thursday, 29 March 2007

Spain confirmed their status as the team to beat in November's UEFA European Futsal Championship as they defeated Russia in a rematch of the 2005 continental final to win a four-team tournament in Ekaterinburg.

Semi-final wins
Both these opponents will be in the European finals draw in Porto on 12 May and progressed to the decider of this tournament with victories on Tuesday. Russia overcame Belarus 6-2, Aleksandr Fukin and Sirilo both scoring twice. Spain were given a tougher time by host club MFK VIZ-Sinara Ekaterinburg, but edged past the Russian league contenders 3-2.

Kike double
So, after Belarus had ousted VIZ-Sanara 3-0 on penalties after a 2-2 draw to take third place, Spain and Russia faced off. Kike put Spain into a fifth-minute lead, and although Pavel Chistopolov equalised, Andreu made it 2-1 before the break. Kike struck a 39th-minute clincher, yet Spain coach Javier Lozano felt the scoreline was on the low side.

Coach's summary
"There could have been more goals for both teams," Lozano said. "And 7-4 to Spain wouldn't have been surprising taking into account the number of chances we both had, especially us - in the second half we had about five clear opportunities to score. Even in the first half we could have gone in at half-time 3-1 up if Jordi Torras's shot hadn't hit the post."

Unbeaten run
His team have now won seven full internationals in a row, and are on an 18-match unbeaten run stretching back to December 2005. Russia, meanwhile, have lost their last eight games against Spain, their only victory coming on penalties in the 1999 European final.




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