Report by Asya Shalimova - R.I.M. Porter Novelli

Futsal Grand Prix “Norilsk Nickel” took place beyond the Arctic circle on May 16-18. It’s not the for first time that Norilsk becomes the host of high level futsal competition: We organized and international competition in Norilsk in 2001. Now we just revert a custom and dedicate this event to our club’s 15th anniversary - said German Khrustalev, deputy director of the club, on the opening press-conference.

The competition was opened by a match between Russian National team and Norilsky Nickel "2", which kindly agreed to participate after Mostoles refused to fly to Norilsk facing a delay in Vnukovo airport. The game was very sharp and tensed yet the experience won over the home-team desire to win.

The official evening opening ceremony started with a speeches by the Head of Norilsk City and the Head of transpolar branch of Mining and Metallurgical company Norilsk Nickel. Then followed a show by young sportsmen of Norilsk and the main event of the matchday – the game between Norilsky Nickel and Croatia National team. At first half of the match both teams were very careful while in the second half Norilsky Nickel captured the initiative and led the game to the victorious 4:2 score.

The second day started with the match between Norilsky Nickel "2" and Croatia. Though the difference in the level of the teams made the result predictable, the front-runner had to prove their masterdom till the last seconds. The challenge between Norilsky Nickel and Russian National team became the highlight of the evening and the whole competition. Even though the teams didn’t meet for a long time, the players know advantages and disadvantages of each other very well since they all meet in the framework of the National Championship. "It was an uncompromising game. Conflict and intrigue were there till the end of the match. Both played worthily and I think the result is logical said Oleg Ivanov, Russian National team Head coach, while answering about the final tie.

On the final day of Grand Prix Norilsky Nickel met with their second team, that performed well even though the "seniors" didn’t give them a single chance by winning 13:3. The closing game between Russia and Croatia was in fact a match for the second place. Croatia opened the score, but this was the only goal while Russia scored five times, dotting all the “i”s.


-> Grand Prix Norilsk 2008: all results!