Courtesy: UEFA.com


Serbia progress pleases coach

Thursday 27 September 2007

by Aleksandar Boskovic

from Belgrade

Serbia coach Aca Kovaèeviæ watched the first two defeats since his appointment earlier this year but pronounced himself "satisfied" after the reverses in Italy.

Narrow defeats
In a close game on Tuesday, goals from Zoran Dimiæ, Dragan Djordjeviæ and Predrag Rajiæ had Serbia at 3-3 with 90 seconds left before two late Italy strikes sealed the game. A day later the Azzurri led 2-0 at half-time and although Igor Šoša pulled one back, Serbia could not claim an equaliser in a tense finish.

Right course
Kovaceviæ, who guided his nation to their first UEFA European Futsal Championship finals since Yugoslavia qualified in 1999, said: "I am very satisfied after this final test. We showed some real qualities in the games. Of course, when you train every three months weaknesses are also expected and we will eliminate them. I don't want to judge only on results. Our opponent were one of the strongest European teams and for most of the games there was nothing between the teams. We will continue with our work and believe we can cause more surprises." Serbia start their Group B campaign in Porto against Russia on 17 November before meeting holders Spain and Ukraine.




Courtesy: UEFA.com


New coach, same old Spain

Thursday 27 September 2007

by Lucy Turner

from Barcelona

If there were any thoughts that Spain coach Javier Lozano's departure on the eve of November's UEFA European Futsal Championship would remove the continental and world title-holders' aura of invincibility, those seem to have diminished with comfortable wins against Uzbekistan.

Debut win
José Venancio was in charge for the first time since Lozano ended his trophy-laded 15-year reign to join the staff at Real Madrid CF, and he launched his reign with a 5-0 success in Caravaca de la Cruz. Daniel struck on nine and 22 minutes and Alvaro, Kike and Jordi Torras completed the scoring.

Twelve goals
The following night in Alcantarilla the tributes were to Javi Rodríguez, who in winning his 116th Spain cap moved one ahead of previous record holder Julio. And his team-mates ensured a memorable win as Spain triumphed 12-0, with four goals from Kike, two from Daniel and Torras and one each by Ortiz, Lin, Marcelo and Dani Salgado. Spain have now won eleven games in a row and are unbeaten in 22.

'Very positive'
Venancio said: "The friendlies have been very positive and I have to highlight the players' great mental approcach and the great team they showed. The victories couldn't have been better and this gives us confidence and enthusiasm for the future. We're well armed for the European Championship and we only have to perfect minor tactical details."

Warm-ups
His team complete their finals warm-up in Slovenia on 29 and 30 October and against Kazakhstan in Castro Urdiales on 9 November. Eight days later they open their European title defence in Porto against Ukraine before taking on Serbia and the team they defeated in the 2005 final, Russia.



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