Courtesy: UEFA.com


Porto ready for futsal feast

Monday 5 November 2007

Portugal has staged successful UEFA European Championships at senior and Under-21 level in the last three years – and this month they are ready to host the futsal finals.

'Healthy anxiety'
The competition in the region of Porto runs from 16-25 November, and tournament director Álvaro Albino cannot wait to get going as eight teams compete for the trophy won by Spain two years ago in Ostrava. "I'm thrilled," he said. "As the clock ticks towards the start of the competition we all feel a healthy anxiety. We have started to see all our plans come together in recent months, from the outstanding arena to the hotel which will welcome the teams."

Long planning
That indeed has been the culmination of long planning since the finals were awarded to the Portuguese Football Federation (FPF) in April 2005. "The last few months have brought loads and loads of work and dedication to the project but the enthusiasm and bravery of all those involved makes it all easier," Álvaro Albino said. ”We have to bear in mind that a huge event like this one leaves us dealing with matters such as security, tickets, transportation, catering, promotion and so on."

New venue
FPF assistant general secretary Álvaro Albino explained their aims for the tournament, which will mostly be staged in a brand-new venue in the east of Porto. "Our main priority is player comfort because they are the real stars of this tournament," he said. "It's also an honour, both for the local organising committee and for UEFA itself, to be able to inaugurate the Multiusos Gondomar Coração de Ouro, a work of art designed by Siza Vieira which in itself is worth a visit to Gondomar.”

'Unique opportunity'
Plenty of fans are indeed expected to make that trip, with ticket prices set deliberately low to attract big crowds. "I'm pretty sure [attendances will be good]," the tournament director said. "Not only because the Portuguese have a special enthusiasm for futsal but mainly due to the fact this is a unique opportunity for our fans to watch a competition of this quality in their own nation. We believe that our ticketing policy will prove decisive for the success of the event and the massive promotion of the event in the media will also help a lot."

Development
After ten frantic days of competition, it will all be over. "I would like to reach 25 November knowing that we staged a great European Championship," Álvaro Albino said. "But I would also be very happy if in the days after the final Portuguese futsal has improved. I strongly believe that this tournament can act as the final step in futsal’s development."



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