Courtesy: Middlesbrough Web Site


Great Britain vs. Slovenia - World University Futsal Championship 2008

by Damon Shaw

Great Britain kicked off their World University Futsal Championship tonight against hosts Slovenia - a somewhat daunting task, almost comparable to taking on Brazil in Poznan two years ago. GBR lost 9-0 then, and some experts were predicting an even bigger defeat for Graeme Dell's boys. Two years on, and we have seen futsal become an official BUCS sport so at least all the players in the travelling delegation have played the game, on top of that the squad have more experience collectively than ever before. Michael Skubala is playing in his second World Championship and is arguably the most experienced player, along with Stephen Harrison, who was missing from tonight's game. The new players have less experience, but have been involved with England under Graeme Dell's tenure as head coach. Curtis Holmes has only recently made the F30 squad but has played for British University Champions, Teesside and Middlesbrough for three years while at the University of Teesside.

With no preparation, however, Great Britain were always going to find it difficult and it showed after two minutes when Slovenia took the lead when they allowed a player free at the back post to receive a pass through the defence. Only three minutes later the lead was doubled and Great Britain looked like succumbing to a humbling defeat that was an almost certainty according to many before proceedings began.

The half time score was favourable in terms of numbers but with three carbon copy goals there was obviously a basic lack of understanding that was the root of GB's problems. Had they managed to eliminate the repeated mistake, they wouldn't be in a much better position though.
Great Britain have far too few options to pose an attacking threat to Slovenia. Indeed when they managed to penetrate the opposition?s half they lacked ideas and invention - a terminal problem for the England team under Graeme Dell. Great Britain did manage to keep their shape well, but when this shape is as easy to break down as an Oxo cube, it's hardly a complement. Half time arrived and it was a chance to rectify some basic errors, and Great Britain failed again. Slovenia scored their fourth in a set of "back post tap ins" only five minutes into the second period. With a beef stock defense, these goals are nigh on impossible for the goalkeeper to save, and when Slovenia tried something different Curtis Holmes, and the bar or post on a couple of occasions, were more than a match for the hosts. With six minutes and thirteen seconds remaining, Dell called a timeout. Probably to change the tactics from Oxo cube (traditionally called the diamond) to something a bit more positive. Or not. Great Britain sat back and defended their scoreline as if they were playing for a 4-0 reverse.
Actually, it wouldn't surprise the onlookers if those were the instructions, given that anything less than 20 was a good result two years previous.

Slovenia continued to move the ball with ease in and around the Briton's area with little or no resistance, but struggled to create a real chance that wasn't a back post tap in. Perhaps Slovenia could be accused of being a one trick pony, and that if "back post tap ins" were banned then Great Britain may have a chance. The thing is though, that it is a massive part of the game of futsal and the Slovenians are good at it. With one minute on the clock Marc Richards fouled about ten metres out. Slovenia went on to score a well worked goal from the set piece. Some good movement and two first time passes saw Sebastien Drobne in the position (you guessed it) to slot home their fifth and final goal of the game.

The buzzer went and Great Britain didn?t suffer too badly, but it is more worrying that they had no clear chances so even if they eradicated the one fatal error from their game, they would only have managed a 0-0 draw. Slovenia will be disappointed with five goals, but will certainly take the three points and an almost certain place in the quarter finals. On that performance GBR will be lucky to improve on 14th place achieved in Poznan and sights will now be set on defending the fair play trophy.




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