Courtesy: UEFA.com

Kovačević salutes Serbian performance

Wednesday 21 November 2007

by Paul Saffer from Santo Tirso

Serbia ended their first UEFA European Futsal Championship campaign with a 3-2 victory against Ukraine, their debut win in the finals, but it was not enough to take them through from Group B. Coach Aca Kovačević was still pleased with the outcome while Ukraine’s Gennadiy Lysenchuk admitted his young team lacked the experience as they were defeated three times.

Gennadiy Lysenchuk, Ukraine coach
It seems that we do OK, but we still lose. I do not blame my players for not trying, they always gave everything but their inexperience prevented us getting the results we needed. All these three matches have included very good lessons for all the players. Every one of these young players saw what they have to do to become better players, the areas in which they have to improve. Serbia, like other ex-Yugoslavian teams, are very strong in team sports. I saw this team last year in the Universiade and then in a tournament in Poland, and have seen how they progressed. We have another very good team in the futsal world that in the near future will play well against the top teams.

Aca Kovačević, Serbia coach
We knew it would be a very hard game against Ukraine who are a very good team. We did have problems with injury, our best player [Marko Perić] was injured, he was not at full strength. But we did our best and it was a very big success for us, we are very glad to be third in the group, it is the biggest success in our futsal history. Now we hope to take another step, and it is a good chance for our federation to support Serbian futsal. We have the potential to be one of the best teams in the Europe, or the world. We hope our futsal will grow up.




Courtesy: UEFA.com


Duarte's plan comes together

Wednesday 21 November 2007

by Pete Sanderson from Porto

"Everything is going to plan," according to Portugal coach Orlando Duarte after the UEFA European Futsal Championship hosts defeated Romania to progress to their first-ever semi-final, where they meet holders Spain on Friday. Romania's debut campaign is over with them third in Group A and coach Zoltán Jakab spelt out his pride.

Zoltán Jakab, Romania coach
We believed we could win this game and if not we wanted to put in a good performance. We always knew they would have a big crowd here supporting them and that’s how it turned out. It was a great experience for all my players to come and play here in these finals and I am very proud of them. Before the tournament I thought Portugal and Spain would be the two teams who would make it into the final but now I believe Italy will go on and win it.

Orlando Duarte, Portugal coach
We played three very hard matches to get through this group and I am happy with the way we finished it off. I thought Romania did well but we were too strong for them and more clinical with our finishing. Everything is going to plan and we have a fully fit squad going into the semi-finals. Now we must focus our attention on the Spain match.




Courtesy: UEFA.com


Venancio hails victorious holders

Wednesday 21 November 2007

by Pete Sanderson from Porto

UEFA European Futsal Championship holders Spain are through to the semi-finals thanks to a comfortable defeat of Russia, who were already through from Group B. The win gives Spain first place, and a meeting with Portugal on Friday, and coach José Venancio said the victory was well merited. Russia's Oleg Ivanov, whose team now meet Italy, admitted Spain were "too strong".

José Venancio, Spain coach
We were a bit slow for the first few minutes of the game but we didn't panic and showed a lot of patience throughout the game and deserved our victory. I thought we also had a bit of luck for the second goal. In my eyes we played very intelligent football in the second half. We tried to combat Cirilo's movement in the second half by pressing him as soon as he got the ball. It was good to see Russia tried to win the game as it made the match a better spectacle. We went into the game very positively too and I think we have developed a winning mentality over the past few years. If we continue to improve as we have done over this championship then there is no reason why we can't go on and win it.

Oleg Ivanov, Russia coach
I thought we started the game well and looked a strong side for the first ten minutes. We tried to give some of our top players a rest because we had already qualified. In the end Spain just proved too strong for my team. I knew before the game that my players were a little bit nervous and even a little afraid playing against the defending champions and Spain played with real style. Their movement is incredible and it will take a great team to beat them. The good news for us is all our players came through the game unscathed so we have a fully fit squad for the semi-final.




Courtesy: UEFA.com


Nuccorini basks in job well done

Wednesday 21 November 2007

by Paul Saffer from Santo Tirso

Italy coach Alessandro Nuccorini was counting the positives as his team strolled past the Czech Republic to finish top of UEFA European Futsal Championship Group A and earn a semi-final on Friday against Russia. By contrast, his opposite number Tomáš Neumann could see no bright side to a campaign that ended with three defeats.

Alessandro Nuccorini, Italy coach
We are happy with the victory and we are pleased to have qualified as group winners. It was good that we have only conceded one goal in three games. In these kind of games things can change quickly but we had the right attitude. Now we will meet Russia again, the team that beat us two years ago. We have had many injuries, the players are in good condition but not quite at the top of their game. We will now analyse the situation and find some solutions. Against Russia I think that we don’t have to be just strong to win, we need a bit of luck and a strong mentality.

Tomáš Neumann, Czech Republic coach
We had a big problem because we cannot score goals. I don't know why. The only positive is that we qualified at all. I hope we can now qualify for the [FIFA Futsal World Cup] in Brazil.




Courtesy: UEFA.com


Azzurri stroll through as group winners

Wednesday 21 November 2007

by Paul Saffer from Pavilhão Desportivo Municipal de Santo Tirso

Italy clinched first place in UEFA European Futsal Championship Group A with a comfortable defeat of the Czech Republic that keeps them apart from holders Spain in Friday's semi-finals.

Russia rematch
Sandro Zanetti and Adriano Foglia struck before two Fabiano Assad goals ensured Italy's place in the last four, and they finished top ahead of Portugal on goal difference. The Azzurri will continue their bid to reclaim the trophy they won in 2003 against the team that eliminated them 4-2 in the semi-finals two years later, Russia.

Confident finish
Knowing anything but a heavy defeat would ensure a semi-final place, Italy began the game by dominating possession. Foglia and Grana both produced saves from busy Czech goalkeeper Tomáš Meller, but he was finally beaten following a neat Italy move which ended with Edgar Bertoni feeding Sandro Zanetti for a confident finish on eleven minutes.

In control
At the other end, the Czech Republic's reliable Mareš brothers came to life, Michael feeding Roman but Italy goalkeeper Alexander Feller was equal to his shot as he was to another effort from the same player later in the half. Foglia was then denied by Meller following a clever Assad back-heel as the Azzurri resumed their comfortable grip on proceedings.

Stunning strike
The second goal arrived two minutes into the second half and it was a stunner from Foglia, who controlled a Grana cross on his chest and produced an acrobatic bicycle kick that Meller could do nothing about. Lukáš Rešetár came close almost immediately but Czech opportunities remained rare.

Win sealed
Zdeněk Sláma did break through but Feller was equal to his shot and on the rebound Carlos Montovanelli blocked from Tomáš Sluka. However, Fabiano's neat effort made it 3-0 eight minutes from time and another of his shots deflected in soon after to ensure the Czech Republic, already eliminated on Sunday, ended without a point.




Courtesy: UEFA.com


Serbia success proves insufficient

Wednesday 21 November 2007

by Paul Saffer from Pavilhão Desportivo Municipal de Santo Tirso

Serbia ended their UEFA European Futsal Championship campaign with a first-ever finals win but it was not enough to take them into the last four.

Spain pip Serbia
To gain a coveted semi-final berth Serbia had needed to beat Ukraine and hope Spain lost to Russia but with the holders prevailing 4-1, Aca Kovačević's side ended third in Group B after an entertaining match. Ukraine's young team were already out before today and finish without a point.

Rajić strikes
Yevgen Ivanyak was given a first start of the tournament in Ukraine's goal and on three minutes was forced to make a save from Predrag Rajić, whose late equaliser against Spain on Monday had kept Serbia's campaign alive until today. At the other end Serhiy Sytin called Vladimir Ranisavljević into action, but Serbia had the lead in the fifth minute and it was that man Rajić who cut in and produced a powerful shot.

Second goal
Ukraine were keen not to suffer a third defeat and began to pile on the pressure in search of an equaliser. Yet Serbia claimed a second goal in a counterattack, Igor Šoša playing through Vladan Cvetanović to fire in. At this stage Spain were trailing in Gondomar and Serbia had hopes of progress, but the holders' two goals late in the first half reduced the stakes here.

Ukraine thwarted
Within 52 seconds of the restart Cheporniuk produced a peach of a chip over Ranisavljević to pull one back for Ukraine. Two minutes later Serbia restored their two-goal cushion, Željko Borojević breaking and feeding Cvetanović whose cross was turned in by Rajić for his finals-leading fifth of the tournament. Sytin responded superbly with one of the most powerful finishes of the week and he hit the post late on as Ukraine's efforts at securing an equaliser and a first point in Portugal were thwarted.




Courtesy: UEFA.com


Portugal confirm semi-final spot

Wednesday 21 November 2007 by Pete Sanderson from Multiusos Gondomar Coração de Ouro

Hosts Portugal swept aside Romania in their final Group A match to book a semi-final date with Spain in the UEFA European Futsal Championship.

Simple finish
Two predatory strikes from Ricardinho and a header from Leitão ensured they advanced to the knockout stages and ended the tournament for finals debutants Romania who showed tremendous work ethic but lacked a cutting edge in attack. Portugal take on the holders here on Friday in their first-ever semi-final.

Counterattack
With Romania hardly having touched the ball the hosts, cheered on by a capacity crowd, took advantage of some slack marking with Ricardinho slotting home after ghosting in at the far post. Portugal were dominating the match but, on their rare forays into the hosts' territory, the visitors looked dangerous with the pace and guile of Loband Szöcs always a menace.

Ricardinho class
Any hopes Romania had of securing a semi-final berth were ended midway through the second half when Ricardinho, easily Portugal's most influential player, turned in Arnaldo's centre to send the home fans wild. Leitão completed the victory with an opportunist header after Romanian keeper László Klein pushed forward in search of an elusive goal for the visitors.




Courtesy: UEFA.com


Spain book last four berth

Wednesday 21 November 2007

by Pete Sanderson from Multiusos Gondomar Coração de Ouro

Holders Spain sealed their place in the last four of the UEFA European Futsal Championship with a hard-fought victory against Russia in Gondomar.

Early goal
Spain had needed a draw to make absolutely sure of joining Russia in the semi-finals from Group B and after falling behind to an early strike from Konstantin Maevskiy, the reigning champios finally made their possession count with Andreu finishing off a well-worked move before Pavel Chistopolov deflected Daniel's shot into his own net just moments before half-time. As Spain finally began to assert their authority on the game in the second half, Marcelo made it three after rounding the keeper and expertly lifting the ball into the net before Daniel added a fourth. The victory, which made Serbia's win in the other group game elementary, means Spain will play the second-placed team in Group A with Russia meeting the winners.

Lively start
In a lively opening few minutes both sides had opportunities to break the deadlock. First Spain tested goalkeeper Pavel Stepanov through Andreu, with Russia responding immediately through Cirilo's blistering shot which was well saved by Spanish stopper Luis Amado.

Interception
The title-holders had the bulk of the possession in the first period but it was Russia who opened the scoring after Spain conceded possession with all four players camped in the Russian half. Alexsandr Fukin raced clear after intercepting a loose pass and, although his shot was parried by Amado, Maevskiy was on hand to slot home the rebound. As the news spread around the arena of Serbia's two-goal lead in the group's other game, the Spanish supporters were beginning to wonder if their crown of title-holders was slowly slipping from their grasp.

Double strike
However, the same set of fans were finally cheering in the 17th minute when a neat move was completed with a superb finish from Andreu to level the match. With Russia still in shock from the losing their lead there was further bad news for their defence when a shot from Daniel took a cruel deflection off Damir Khamadiev and dribbled beyond the despairing dive of Stepanov. Spain dominated the second-half with goals from Marcelo and Daniel rounding off a comprehensive win for the defending champions.




Courtesy: UEFA.com


Futsal semis include Iberian derby

Wednesday 21 November 2007

by Paul Saffer from Porto

Holders Spain and hosts Portugal will go head to head on Friday in a fascinating Iberian derby while Italy and Russia will have a rematch of their 2005 semi-final as the last-four lineup was confirmed.

Trio join Russia
Only Russia were ensured of a semi-final place before Wednesday but they slipped to second place in Group B as Spain defeated them 4-1. Portugal then sealed their progress with a 3-0 defeat of Romania but ended runners-up to Italy in Group A thanks to the Azzurri's 4-0 win against the Czech Republic.

Hosts play second
Both semi-finals will be at the Multiusos Gondomar Coração de Ouro on Friday, with the first at 18.00 local time (19.00CET) when Russia will hope for a repeat of their 4-2 success against Italy two years ago. Two hours later debutant semi-finalists Portugal will hope for a first-ever competitive win against their neighbours.




Courtesy: UEFA.com


New Pelé rises in the east

Thursday 22 November 2007

by Nuno Tavares & Paul Saffer from Porto

One name stands out on the list of players in the UEFA European Futsal Championship – Pelé Junior.

New nation
Born Odair Pedro da Silva Junior, the futsal-specialist Pelé and fellow Brazilian-born star Cirilo qualified to represent Russia in 2007 after many years with MFK Spartak Moskva and MFK Dinamo Moskva. "I'm enjoying it very much as all is going well," Pelé told uefa.com. "Cirilo and I have both adapted well and I only hope I can keep helping Russia to achieve their goals."

Spain defeat
However, there was a slight setback to those goals yesterday in a 4-1 loss to Spain. Although Russia were already assured of a semi-final place, it continued their poor record against the holders and relegated them to second in Group B, meaning a tough tie against Italy. "I don't think we lacked motivation," Pelé said. "Of course it's not good to lose but we tried everything in our power to win. Nevertheless we lost against a great team. We finished second and that was not our objective at all but now we will work even harder in order to do well at our next match."

Hard work
That is against Italy, who Russia defeated in the 2005 semi-finals. And the 34-year-old, who does not yet know if he will remain at Dinamo after his contract expires in the summer, said they are already working hard on the rematch with the Azzurri. "We will train hard on Thursday in order to correct the mistakes we made so we can win our next game and qualify for the final," he said.




Courtesy: UEFA.com


In-form Foglia focused on Russia

Thursday 22 November 2007

by Paul Saffer from Porto

Adriano Foglia, like many in the UEFA European Futsal Championship, has Brazilian roots. And it was plain to see with his stunning goal for Italy against the Czech Republic last night.

Semi-final place
Controlling a pass on his chest he then turned and produced an acrobatic bicycle kick for the second goal in Italy's 4-0 win, which secured first place in Group A and a last-four berth, not to mention the Carlsberg Man of the Match award. "I am happy about the goal but the most important thing is our victory," Foglia told uefa.com. "Now we must focus on the semi-finals and concentrate on that."

Old rivals
Russia will be Italy's opponents on Friday and the 26-year-old is more than familiar with their rivals. In his fourth consecutive European finals, he has met Russia in all the previous three. In 2001 he scored as Italy lost 2-1 in the third-place play-off and two years later struck a last-gasp goal on home soil in a 1-0 group stage win for the eventual champions. However, in the last edition Foglia drew a blank in a 4-2 semi-final defeat by Russia and he is wary of the 1999 champions.

Evolution
"Two years ago we lost to Russia," Foglia said. "I think they have a very good team with excellent players, but then so do Italy. We will have to concentrate hard, and then we can win." As for how the Azzurri have evolved in his time with the squad, Foglia said: "I think that the main difference is our experience compared to the teams in 2003 and 2005. We have a tremendous will to win."




Courtesy: UEFA.com


Departed nations mull over lessons

Thursday 22 November 2007

by Paul Saffer from Porto

The four teams tipped to reach the UEFA European Futsal Championship semi-finals – hosts Portugal and past winners Spain, Russia and Italy – have duly done so. But the group stage produced some surprises, with newcomers exceeding expectations and established nations having difficulties.

Romania surprise
Two sides who had not even been expected to qualify, Serbia and Romania, picked up debut finals' victories and remained in contention until yesterday, while Ukraine and the Czech Republic disappointedly ended without a point. The stand-out stars were Romania, who were in their first finals having only started playing internationals in 2003. That year the Czechs reached the last four but on Matchday 1 in Group A, they lost 8-4 to Romania.

Matei 'pride'
Florin Matei scored a hat-trick that day, and although Italy and Portugal outclassed Romania, they were delighted with how they did. "We are really proud of our performance," Matei told uefa.com. "I think we were the sixth best team in this European Championship and that is simply amazing because this was our debut in the competition."

Serbian consolation
In Group B, Serbia were in their first finals since they qualified as Yugoslavia in 1999, and considering they only played one match between January 2004 and last December, they did superbly to give Russia a scare, hold Spain and defeat Ukraine. Predrag Rajić's five goals leaves him top of the scorer's chart after the group stage and star man Marko Perić is set to join one of Europe's leading clubs with a bidding war in process. Just as Romania's team is based around CIP Deva, Serbia's squad is largely drawn from KMF Marbo Beograd and that was shown in their team spirit and intuition.

'Brilliant' players
Coach Aca Kovačević said: "I don't want to single one player out, they were all brilliant. I think we will continue on the same path with which we approached this tournament. This would be a big success for us because so many fans back in Serbia were able to watch these games on TV."

Ukraine rebuilding
Ukraine, on the other hand, are smarting from three losses, a far cry from reaching the 2001 and 2003 finals and the semis two years ago. However, Gennadiy Lysenchuk's squad is in transition with key players from previous tournaments no longer in a very young squad, and the coach sees reasons for optimism. He said: "Obviously we had two or three players who are not up to the necessary standard, so in the future we will draft in new players but I hope the team work on their weak spots and if they can play together for five to seven years they will get better results."

Czech disappointment
Maybe the biggest worry is for the Czech Republic, whose only bright spot was leading Portugal 3-1 before conceding four goals. But young coach Tomáš Neumann was not a happy man after the 8-4 opening reverse against Romania or the 4-0 loss to Italy in their last game, bemoaning their inability to score goals. The decision of brothers Roman and Michal Mareš to come out of international retirement aided the young team, but like the other four nations departing Portugal, they must now focus on the FIFA Futsal World Cup qualifiers early next year.




Courtesy: UEFA.com


Sytin predicts Ukraine revival

Thursday 22 November 2007

by Paul Saffer from Porto

For the first time in eight years, Ukraine do not have a UEFA European Futsal Championship semi-final to look forward to after losing all three of their Group B games.

Tough fixtures
It was a tough pool, with their first two games against holders Spain and 2005 runners-up Russia. And with a young team shorn of many of the players that aided them to two finals and one semi in the last three tournaments, Ukraine were beaten by both sides before a narrow 3-2 loss to Serbia yesterday with their campaign already over.

Gaining experience
One of the key players from the success in past years still in the squad is Serhiy Sytin, who played in the 2003 final aged 20 and scored four finals goals last time out in Ostrava. Despite the results this time around, he is taking positives from their disappointments in Portugal. "We played very well against Serbia and had plenty of chances but couldn't take them," Sytin told uefa.com. "We have lost games because of our own mistakes. We have a very young team without much experience and this tournament was very useful in gaining that experience."

New role
In his third finals, Sytin took on a more senior position in the squad. "I obviously had a different role in this team because I have played in previous European Championships and in the [FIFA Futsal] World Cup," he said. "So the younger players came to me and asked for help and advice, and of course I tried to help then. But I am only 25 and still young myself."

Return
Still, Sytin expects Ukraine to be challenging for major honours again before long. "We are one of the hungriest teams in futsal and we have to help each other and then we will get to the semi-finals and finals of major tournaments again," he concluded.




Courtesy: UEFA.com


Arch-rivals face off for final place

Thursday 22 November 2007

by Paul Saffer & David Baño from Porto

The atmosphere at the Multiusos Gondomar Coração de Ouro has been boisterous for all three of Portugal's games at the UEFA European Futsal Championship and it will be electric on Friday night when the hosts take on holders Spain for a place in the final.

Contrast
It is Portugal's first semi-final in this competition, while Spain, champions of Europe for the third time, have never been absent from this stage. Both teams picked up two wins and a draw in their group games, but the hosts were behind Italy on goal difference. Finishing runners-up gave Portugal a 13th meeting with their Iberian neighbours, against who they have picked up just one win and a draw.

'Respect'
That victory came in their most recent fixture, a friendly two years ago in Salamanca, but Spain prevailed in a 2005 European Championship group game. Portugal coach Orlando Duarte, whose side have drawn with Italy and beaten the Czech Republic and Romania to get this far, knows they will have to be at their best to earn a place in the final. "They are a strong team, they are the defending champions and we have an enormous amount of respect for the way they play and the talent they have," Duarte said. "We will fight all the way to beat them in the next match and we have the belief in our camp to win it and to win the tournament. We will need to play our best football and have a little bit of luck but let's hope we can do it."

Motivation
Spain stuttered on Matchday 2 when they conceded late on to draw 1-1 with Serbia, but their comeback to beat 2005 runners-up Russia 4-1 on Wednesday showed the world and European champions are hitting peak form. "It will a motivation for us to play against Portugal, we always perform much better under pressure," coach José Venancio told uefa.com.

'Great opponents'
"Our objective was to finish first in our group and we succeeded in that. We know it won't be easy but we have our chance to win. Portugal will be great and difficult opponents. They play at home, which will be an advantage. They are good in every aspect of the game as a team." Andreu was one of the Spain players that helped beat Portugal 3-1 in Ostrava two years ago and is relishing the rematch. He said: "We know we will have the fans against us, but we like to play in this sort of atmosphere, a full house."



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