Courtesy: UEFA.com


Shakhtar recovery denies Nacional

Wednesday 10 September 2008

FC Shakhtar Donetsk cancelled out a three-goal deficit to draw 4-4 with MNK Nacional Zagreb as the pair remained locked at the top of UEFA Futsal Cup Main round Group 4, one point ahead of FC Blok Beverwijk thanks to their 2-1 win against Hungarian hosts MVFC Berettyóújfalu.

Shakhtar comeback
Last night Shakhtar defeated Beverwijk 4-0 and Nacional matched that scoreline against Berettyóújfalu, so both teams knew another victory could be enough to ensure a top-two finish and an Elite round berth. Tihomir Novak gave Nacional a tenth-minute lead which they held until the first minute of the second half when Serhiy Tkachenko equalised from a tight angle. But almost immediately Kujtim Morina put Nacional back in front and after Novak added another goal, Robert Grdovic made it 4-1 with ten minutes left. Shakhtar responded well and within three minutes Fumasa had pulled one back and Vassura scored twice to level the game. The 2005/06 semi-finalists now pushed for victory but Igor Moskvychov saw his effort hit the bar and with three seconds left Vassura was agonisingly close to a hat-trick.

Beverwijk win
In the other game at Debrecen's Fönix Arena, one of the venues for the 2010 UEFA European Futsal Championship, Beverwijk ended the hopes of Berettyóújfalu as two second-half Samir Makhoukhi goals outdid Norbert Lovas's strike. Beverwijk must beat Nacional on Friday afternoon to move into the Elite round; any other result would ensure the current top two progress regardless of Shakhar's later result against Berettyóújfalu.

Chrudim deciders
Before that, Thursday is a pivotal day in the Main round as one pool finishes and the remaining three groups begin. In the Czech Republic, hosts FK Era-Pack Chrudim and Hapoel Ironi Rishon Lezion lead the way and only need draws against respective opponents Iberia 2003 Tbilisi and FK Nautara Kanus. Iberia are a point behind so a victory against Chrudim would take them through.

Opening days
Of the three mini-tournaments beginning, 2005 champions Action 21 Charleroi return to the competition after a year's absence against French side Roubaix Futsal in Group 3 while Romanian hosts ACS Odorheiu Secuiesc play newcomers Viten Orsha of Belarus. SL Benfica, runners-up in 2004, face Slovenia's KMN Gorica in Group 1 in Montenegro while home team KMF Municipium Casino Pljevlja take on Athina '90 Athens. Group 6 also starts in Azerbaijan; hosts Araz Naxçivan play Skövde AIK while Slov-Matic Fofo Bratislava meet FC Nadin Sofia, who like Roubaix, Gorinca, Beverwijk and Nautara came through the Preliminary round.




Courtesy: UEFA.com


Roubaix rallied for French futsal high

Thursday 11 September 2008

by Christian Châtelet from Paris

Roubaix Futsal coach Nordine Benamrouche is under no illusion as to the size of his side's task as they become the first French club to compete in the UEFA Futsal Cup Main round. "We're there to get valuable experience of the highest level and to do our best on and off the pitch," he said.

First progress
This is the fourth season France have been represented in the competition – and Roubaix's third appearance – but in the past their campaigns have always stalled at the first stage. However, in this year's Preliminary round on home territory, Roubaix secured seven points from three games to pip Parnassos Nicosia on goal difference and earn a Main round campaign, starting on Thursday against 2004/05 winners Action 21 Charleroi, Romanian hosts ACS Odorheiu Secuiesc and Belarussian representatives Viten Orsha.

Charleroi challenge
Benamrouche, who played in Roubaix's 2005/06 European debut before taking over as coach the following season, is well aware of the size of their task, starting against Charleroi, who beat them 4-1 and 7-1 in friendlies early last month. "Action 21 will win the group without losing a game," Benmarouche predicted. "They are professional and we are amateur. An experienced player for them has 20 years of futsal behind him. For us, it's four or five years. In addition, they have a terrific Brazilian connection."

Scouting mission
Still, the 34-year-old is pleased with how the fixtures fall. "We are happy to take [Charleroi] on first," he said. "Because we will have the opportunity to watch the other two sides, who are more beatable for us. I know nothing about the Belarussian side and I saw some videos of the Romanians. They are strong too. We're dark horses and playing at this level for the first time. We just want to play at our best and also give a good account of ourselves, in the sense of fair play and the way we act."

Futsal in the community
That latter points is important, because the Roubaix club – founded in 2003 by president Messaoud Ferkioui – see sport as an educational tool, and to that end they set up France's first ever youth futsal competition, Le Challenge Roubaisien, which now attracts 110 participants. "As a sport, futsal has a lot to give to young people," Ferkioui said. "But we still have a lot to do in our country.

Big support
"For us, have the preliminary round at home was a huge but fantastic workload," he added. "It is not every day we meet teams from Iceland, Armenia or Cyprus. It was good to mix. And it's also what football is about." The three games were also well attended, having been staged in the school holidays. "It was a resounding event in the area with almost 2,000 people coming to watch the games," he said. Should a miracle occur in Romania, there could be even bigger crowds in the future.





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