Courtesy: Koper 2008 Official Web Site

Almost ready for the off

Saturday, 23 August 2008

By Damon Shaw

As all the final few teams are arriving in Slovenia, the final touches for the 11th World University Futsal Championship are being put in place for the big kick off. The teams already here convened tonight for the General Technical Meeting chaired by FISU delegate John Warnock with FISU colleagues Pedro Dias and Carlos Magalhaes also present. Patrik Perosa (Organising Committee), Piotr Kus (Head of Discipline) and Petr Fousek (FIFA) made up the table and the teams were given all the information needed.

The World Championship kicks off on Monday and the teams are taking the opportunity of their early arrival to get some training and finalise some tactics. Favourites Brazil, who were at a Portuguese training camp for two weeks prior to making the comparitively short trip across Europe, have been wasting no time in maximising their chances. Brazilian officials are in confident mood, but they know that their opening game against the Czech Republic is one of utmost importance. The typically flamboyant samba boys will be out to do a job and get their championship off to a flying start.

South American counterparts, Uruguay, who are competing in the World University Futsal Championship for the first time, are unsure what to expect. Despite Futsal coming from Uruguay, it is Europe that is leading the way (Spain are World and European champions and have the Intercontinental Club champions - Interviu Fadesa). Uruguay will face futsal newbies France and Turkey, and Serbia, who have arguably the best talent in European Futsal among their ranks.

The conditions of the tournament are excellent and the atmosphere is growing every day here in Ankaran. It promises to be a very competitive yet good spirited World Championship, and with Russia not entering, there will be a new World University Champion come the end of August. Who will it be? Most experts say Brazil, but the likes of Serbia, Portugal and Ukraine will be there or thereabouts. The overall level of competition is superb and there will be no easy matches for the supposed superpowers of futsal. Even Great Britain could sneak their way into the quarter finals!





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