Courtesy: UEFA.com

Jeepers ready for bow

Tuesday 3 July 2007

by Domenic Aquilina

from Malta

The UEFA Futsal Cup has come a long way since its 2001/02 launch with just over half of Europe's nations contributing an entrant. Yesterday's draw for the first two stages of the seventh edition included 44 clubs from 43 nations, including for the first time entrants from Estonia, the Republic of Ireland and Montenegro. Last year Malta were one of six countries to take a bow at this level and now their second contenders, Jeepers FC, are looking forward to the challenge of next month's preliminary round.

Swedish trip
Jeepers earned their place by pipping last year's representatives Hibernians FC to the Maltese title just five years after their formation. Now, with Malta Football Association futsal player of the year Zeljko Anicic among their ranks, Jeepers are ready to travel to Sweden next month to take on home side Skövde AIK - who beat Hibernians last year - and MNK Kaskada Gracanica of Bosnia-Herzegovina.

'Important milestone'
Newly-elected Jeepers president Richard Busuttil told uefa.com: "Participation in the forthcoming UEFA Futsal Cup can be regarded as a very important milestone for our side. In just one season in the top Maltese division we won the championship. The team is now really focused and has already started full training in preparation for this important event and all the players and officials are looking forward to making this participation one to remember."



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