Courtesy: UEFA.com


Belgium's new torchbearers

Thursday 6 September 2007

by Berend Scholten

from Diest

Futsal Topsport Antwerpen's presence in the UEFA Futsal Cup this season marks the end of an era - as for the first time Action 21 Charleroi will be absent from the European club competition.

Merger
Charleroi, who lost the first two finals but triumphed in 2004/05 and finished fourth last season, were ever-present in the inaugural six events. However, their seven-year run as Belgian champions was ended by Forcom Antwerpen Elite last summer with a 13-6 aggregate triumph. Fresh from their first title, they merged with ZVC Borgerhout - a side well known for producing young talent - to form the new club entering Europe this season.

First trophy
"We did this to give Antwerp what it deserved," club secretary Chris Peeters said. "This step is to build up something beautiful; not only to take us to the top in Belgium, but also in Europe." It did not take them long to win their first silverware, as with a squad containing nine former Antwerpen Elite players and five from Borgerhout they defeated Charleroi 3-2 to win the Belgian Super Cup after extra time. Player-assistant coach Karim Bachar, 32, was man of the match and 23-year-old Abdellah Idlaasri struck the winner.

European bow
That proved a boost for Carmelo Nieddu, who having been elected coach of the year for his exploits with Antwerpen last season is leading the new club. Now comes the task of emulating Charleroi's superb European achievements as they kick off the Main round on Saturday against Group 4 opponents KMF Municipium Casino Pljevlja of Montenegro before taking on Athina '90 Athens and strong Hungarian hosts Futsal Club Gödöllö.



Courtesy: UEFA.com


Benfica eye final four

Thursday 6 September 2007

by Nuno Tavares

SL Benfica have had to wait to repeat the success of their run to the 2003/04 UEFA Futsal Cup final but off the back of an outstanding domestic double last season, they again look like contenders to get among Europe's élite.

New signings
Having beaten old rivals Sporting Clube de Portugal in the league play-offs to add to their Portuguese Cup triumph, Benfica are in Europe for the third time having been pipped 7-5 on aggregate by Boomerang Interviú in the decider on their debut and missed out of the semi-finals two years ago. The Eagles have strengthened with the signing of MRA Navarra's Arnaldo Pereira and Playas de Castellón FS's Miguel Almeida to add to the likes of André Lima, Gonçalo Alves and Ricardinho.

Ambition
However, Benfica have suffered a major blow ahead of their campaign with goalkeeper Bebé facing a four-month absence due to a fractured wrist. Nevertheless, Benfica coach Adil Amarante remains upbeat about his team's chances as they start a week today against Politekhnik Yerevan before going on to meet Bulgarian Group 2 hosts MFC Varna and strong Ukrainian champions SK Energia. "We want to improve even more in all competitions but for that to happen we need to approach every single game with the will to win," the 41-year-old Brazilian said. "Of course we are thinking about winning the UEFA Futsal Cup but we’ll have to work very hard if we are to have a shot at that title."

Experience
Benfica found that out in last month’s Nations Cup in Fundao as they lost 4-2 to Castellón and 5-0 against UEFA Futsal Cup contenders Kairat Almaty before beating hosts AD Fundão 4-2 for fifth place. Worryingly ahead of the domestic season, Sporting won the tournament.



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