Courtesy: UEFA.com


Hosts hopeful despite losses

Thursday 27 September 2007

by Nuno Tavares

from Porto

UEFA European Futsal Championship hosts Portugal were given a stern examination as they fell to two friendly defeats by former world champions Brazil in Sao Joao da Madeira.

Run ends
Portugal were on a run of 13 straight wins since a 1-1 draw with Brazil last October, and were unbeaten in 23 matches. However, having not played a competitive game since the last European finals in February 2005, Orlando Duarte's side were looking to sharpen up and these encounters against a Brazil team mainly comprising Spain-based players allowed them to do so.

Brazil prevail
In the first match, Ciço of ElPozo Murcia FS put Brazil ahead on four minutes and although Ricardinho equalised, A. Lobelle de Santiago FS's Betão restored the advantage. Murcia's Wilde then struck twice for the visitors before Humberto, the only Brazilian league player, and Interviú Fadesa's Marquinho further increased their lead. And while Joel Queirós and Ricardinho reduced the deficit, Gabriel, also of Interviú, completed a 7-3 Brazil win.

Comeback thwarted
The following day, it was a closer affair. Playas de Castellón FS's Rato put Brazil in front but Joel Queirós swiftly levelled. Gabriel and Marquinho made it 3-1 by half-time and although Arnaldo cut the arrears with three minutes left, Ciço had the last word after being set up by Gabriel. Brazil prevailed 4-2.

Coach upbeat
Duarte's men next play Greece on 30 and 31 October before their European campaign in Porto starts against Italy on 16 November. The coach remains upbeat. "Our real championship will take place from 16 to 25 November," he said. "In my opinion, Brazil are the best team in the world and I'm very proud of the way my players approached the matches. I think we are a stronger team after these two games. The way we played, mainly in the second half of the second match, is a good omen for the future. We will aim to win every match at the European Championship."



Courtesy: UEFA.com

Romania in the goals

Friday 28 September 2007

by Paul-Daniel Zaharia

from Bucharest

Romania produced two clinical performances against Georgia as their UEFA European Futsal Championship finals debut draws near.

Convincing wins
The first friendly on Wednesday in Buzau was won 8-0. Cosmin Gherman and Dumitru Stoica scored late in the first half, and in the second Marian Sotarca, Ion Al-Ioani and Lászlo Szöcs all struck twice. Last night Iacob Gabriel Molomfalean claimed two goals and Al-Ioani, Csoma Alpar, Gherman, Stoica and Mihály Zoltán one apiece in a 7-0 success.

'Useful tests'
Coach Zoltán Jakab said: "Despite the fact these were big wins, they were very useful tests. On the one hand, it was better that Georgia defended so much and so tightly, because that allowed us to work on what we would do in such conditions. When they tried to attack, it enabled us to try other tactics. Eleven of the 14 players I used play together at CIP Deva, including myself as head coach, and the benefit of this is clear. It is good that CIP Deva will play their [UEFA] Futsal Cup group in Russia, because those really tough matches are also ideal preparation for the national team."

Warm-up programme
Jakab's Deva are in UEFA Futsal Cup Elite round Group D against hosts MFK VIZ-Sinara Ekaterinburg, SK Energia Lviv and Hapoel Ironi Rishon Lezion in the middle of next month. His national side go to Egypt for friendlies on 24 and 26 October, before welcoming Belgium to Bucharest on 11 and 12 November. They open their debut finals campaign against the Czech Republic in Porto four days later, with games to follow against Italy and hosts Portugal.



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