The FA UMBRO Futsal Finals 2008 – Day One

Glorious summer sunshine welcomed everyone to the 6th annual, FA UMBRO Futsal Finals at the English Institute of Sport, Sheffield. Day one of three days of Futsal, (4 – 6th July 2008) sees the start of the qualifying group stage, four groups, of four teams in the men’s and women’s competition. Only the top two qualify for the knockout stages, to commence Saturday afternoon.

This year’s competition was anticipated to be the most competitive and best yet. In the men’s competition, the majority of teams that successfully reached the final compete in the recently formed FA Regional Leagues. This final is an opportunity for the best teams from each of these leagues to show to what they are made of.

Ipswich Wolves, 2007 winners came into the final as favourites to retain the title, with London White Bear closest challenges, followed by Tranmere Victoria. The men’s competition kicked off early afternoon.

The First day programme for the Men’s competition sees each team playing two out of their three group matches.

The Groups

Group A
Helvecia Futsal
Worcester University
Ipswich Wolves
Sheffield and Hallamshire CFA

Group B
Newham Genesis
Sheffield FC
Baltic Futsal Club
Manchester Futsal Club

Group C
Birmingham Tigers
Corinthians
Tranmere Victoria
I Security


Group D
London White Bear
Loughborough University
Hull Futsal Club
Team United FC



Group Matches Round up – Day One

Men’s Competition

Group A
In the first Group A matches Helvecia Futsal convincingly beat Sheffield and Hallamshire CFA (3 – 1) on pitch 1, while Worcester University shocked the favourites Ipswich Wolves, with a (3 – 2) victory, a result making this group very interesting indeed going into the second day.

Helvecia Futsal faced the favourites in the second group A matches, and managed to hold Ipswich Wolves to a 1 - 1 draw. On pitch 2, Worcester University, seemed to be the new team to beat in their group after the first matches, fell to Sheffield and Hallamshire FA who pull out a strong performance slotting home 4 goals and keeping a clean sheet (0 – 4)

Club --- Points
Helvecia Futsal --- 4
Worcester University --- 3
Sheffield and Hallamshire CFA --- 3
Ipswich Wolves --- 1

None of the qualification places in group A are certain, with every team having a chance. Sheffield and Hallamshire CFA on paper have the toughest tie against last years winners, who have to show their form and ability at this years final. Helvecia Futsal need a draw to ensure their qualification.

Group B
Group B started as it finished on day one with lots of goals. Eight goals was scored n the game between Newham Genesis and Manchester Futsal Club, finishing on level terms with 4 goals a piece (4 – 4), in the other group matches Sheffield FC beat Baltic Futsal Club (4 -3)

The goals fest in this group continued in the second round of matches. Newham Genesis, even though they managed to score 3 goals, they conceded 7 goals to Baltic Futsal Club (3 – 7). The other tie saw another 6 goals, with Sheffield FC blasting 5 past Manchester Futsal Club, who did at least manage to get on the score sheet with one goal (5 – 1)

Club --- Points
Sheffield FC --- 6
Baltic Futsal Club --- 3
Newham Genesis --- 1
Manchester Futsal Club --- 1

Sheffield FC will continue through to the knockout stages, Baltic Futsal Club can join them and need a draw ensure qualification. The remaining three teams can all steal that second spot if Newham Genesis beat Sheffield FC and the Baltic v Manchester game finishes in a draw, they will all have 4 points a piece, Baltic at this stage have the advantage with a better goal difference.


Group C
Birmingham Tigers drew with two goals a piece against I security on pitch 1 in the first round, while Corinthians were up against tournament contenders Tranmere Victoria who failed to show their strength losing to their opponents (1 – 0).

Birmingham Tigers went onto to loose their second match against Tranmere Victoria (2 – 3), while the team of the group Corinthians thrashed I Security (7 – 0)



Club --- Points
Corinthians --- 6
Tranmere Victoria --- 3
Birmingham Tigers FC --- 1
I Security --- 1

Corinthians have already secured their place in knockout stages, and Tranmere look set to join them unless they loose their final match to I Security, Birmingham Tigers seemed to be out of the running if Corinthians play as well as hey did in the first two games, but may use this game as an opportunity to rest key players for the knockout. Everything to play for the second qualification spot.

Group D
Another group where the teams are not shy to score a few goals. FC White Bear – USSR comfortably beat Team United FC (2 – 0), while Loughborough Students FC smashed Hull Futsal Club (6-2).

Wins again for FC White Bear – USSR and Loughborough Students FC in their respective matches. FC White Bear – USSR outclassed Hull Futsal Club, beating them (8 – 1), while FC White Bear – USSR gave another strong performance with a (6 – 1) victory over Team United FC.

Club --- Points
FC White Bear – USSR --- 6
Loughborough Students FC --- 6
Hull Futsal Club --- 0
Team United FC --- 0

Group D seems to already be settled before the final games on the morning of day two. With no way back for both Hull and Team United, both teams will try and retain some pride by sealing a consolation victory.


Women’s Competition

The women’s competition began following the end of the men’s programme. The Futsal game has increased in popularity for women, with well established 11 a side teams having a go, in conjunction with playing in the UMBRO Five competition. Futsal is still relatively new for the Women’s game, so predicting favourites is a little harder as on the day any team can pull a quality performance out of the bag.

Last years winners Watford Ladies, came into to competition looking to build on their performance in 2007, and are the team to beat. One to watch for Watford, is TNS Ladies.

The first day programme for the Women’s competition, saw each team play one group match, they are to return on the morning of day two to play their remaining two matches before the final men’s game.


Group A
Team United
Doncaster Rovers Belles LFC
Loughborough Foxes WFC
Cambridge Regional College

Group B
Yeovil Town FC
Sheffield FC
Tranmere Victoria
Bino United

Group C
TNS Ladies
Worcester City Women
West Ham Ladies
Willesden Ladies

Group D
Watford Ladies FC
Rushden and Diamonds Ladies
South Downs College
Dingle Ladies FC


Group A
A change of teams from the original schedule, with Doncaster Rovers Belles replace Sheffield and Hallamshire CFA representative team, flying the flag for South Yorkshire. Doncaster Rovers Belles new to the game of Futsal, having never played the game at all. Their first match came against Loughborough Foxes. For a team that had never played Futsal before they impressed, with a very strong performance and victory, (7 – 3). In the other Group A game, Team United also came out on top against Cambridge (5 – 1)

Club --- Points
Doncaster Rovers Belles WFC --- 3
Team United --- 3
Loughborough Foxes WFC --- 0
Cambridge Regional College --- 0

Doncaster Rovers Belles WFC and Team United are favourites to reach the knockout stages after their match performance.


Group B
Sheffield FC were the only team victorious in the Group B matches, beating Tranmere (2 – 1). Yeovil Town FC managed a 2 ALL draw with Bino Ladies FC (2 – 2)

Club --- Points
Sheffield FC --- 3
Yeovil Town FC --- 1
Bino United --- 1
Tranmere Victoria --- 0

Sheffield FC should qualify for the next stages after beating Tranmere. Yeovil looked kill Tranmere Victoria chances of qualification by beating Tranmere in the morning, hoping that Sheffield continue their winning streak and put Bino out of the running as they go into the third game.


Group C
13 goals were scored in the first round of matches in group D. West Ham United Ladies hammered Worcester City (0-8) and The New Saints Ladies beat Willesden (5 - ), Should be an interesting encounter when they face one another in the morning of Day 2.

Club --- Points
The New Saints Ladies FC --- 3
West Ham United Ladies --- 3
Worcester City Women’s --- 0
Willesden Ladies --- 0

The next matches on day should be very interesting with the top two team’s ability to score goals. Worcester and Willesden need to win their next game to stay in contention of reaching the knockout stages. After Day 1, The New Saints Ladies and West Ham look favourites to reach the knock out stages, if they play as well as they did in their first games.


Group D
Last years winners Watford Ladies started their campaign to retain the title with steady victory against Dingle Ladies FC (3-1). Dingle are relatively new to the game of Futsal having only formed 9 months ago, hardly a bad result against reputably the best team in the country at the game. In the other match Rushden and Diamonds just squeezed an extra goal against South Downs College to win (5-4).

Club --- Points
Watford Ladies --- 3
Rushden and Diamonds Ladies --- 3
South Downs College --- 0
Dingle Ladies FC --- 0

There is still everything to play for in Group D, as long as South Downs and Dingle manage to beat Watford and Rushden in their second matches in the morning on day 2. Both Watford and Rushden will be keen to confirm qualification to the knock out stages before the third match when they can rest key players.








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