All reports below are courtesy: FIFA.com


Brazil regain the crown

Twelve years have elapsed since Brazil last claimed the FIFA Futsal World Cup. But thanks to two fabulous penalty saves from Franklin in a heart-stopping shootout, the Auriverde finally ended their long wait to rule the world once again, prevailing 4-3 from the spot after a thrilling 2-2 draw.

Reigning champions Spain sent a message of intent at the kick-off, lining up with five world champions. Brazil responded by showing they were not going to be bossed around, however, contesting every loose ball as if their lives depended on it.

Although both sides stuck firmly to their gameplans in the opening minutes, patiently maintaining possession and waiting for openings to appear, it was the Brazilians who had the edge. Spain's Luis Amado was the busier of the two keepers, and he had to be sharp to deny Lenisio on two separate occasions as well as Cico and Falcao, whose impudent back-heel so nearly put the local favourites ahead.

Relying on quick breaks to unsettle their opponents, the Europeans almost stole the lead themselves after only two minutes, with Amado throwing long for Javi Rodriguez only for Tiago to block alertly.

The longer the game went on the more important the first goal became. Brazil coach Paulo Cesar de Oliveira shuffled his pack up front, even pairing Falcao and the powerful Betao together in a bid to outmuscle the Spanish. But every time his side had a sight of goal Amado was on hand to thwart them, denying Schumacher and Vinicius at the end of two superbly worked counter-attacks.

In the end it took a stroke of good luck for the Brazilians to edge ahead, Marquinho's 27th-minute corner kick deflecting off Borja's face and beating Amado at the near post. Spain refused to capitulate and were level within two minutes when Torras powered home a left-foot drive.

Despite being denied the services of Falcao through injury, Brazil came storming back, with Vinicius restoring the home side's lead by thrashing the ball high into the net after Amado had pulled off two more fine stops. With just three minutes left on the clock, that appeared be that. The men in red had not read the script, however, and forced extra-time when Alvaro poked home at the far post with barely a minute left.

Although both sides went into overtime with five fouls each, the pace did not relent. Not for the first time, Amado and Tiago showed their shot-stopping skills at either end to ensure the title would be decided on penalties. And it was Tiago's replacement, Franklin, who proved the hero of the afternoon, denying Torras and Marcelo to spark wild celebrations at the Maracanazinho.




Brazil sweep the board

Sunday 19 October 2008

The FIFA Futsal World Cup trophy was not the only accolade collected by Brazil, as the classy Selecao also cleaned up in the individual awards. Three of the stars coached by Paulo de Oliveira were recognised for their outstanding performances at the tournament, as FIFA.com reports.

adidas Golden, Silver and Bronze Ball
adidas Golden Ball: Falcao (BRA)
adidas Silver Ball: Schumacher (BRA)
adidas Bronze Ball: Tiago (BRA)

The Auriverdes supplied the three best players at the FIFA Futsal World Cup. Falcao, named Best Player at the 2004 tournament in Chinese Taipei, retained the accolade after a string of breathtaking displays in front of an adoring home crowd. The player’s undiminished technical ability and haul of 15 goals made him a worthy winner. Fellow world champions Schumacher and goalkeeper Tiago followed in second and third places.

Interviewed by FIFA.com, Brazil captain Vinicius came straight to the point: "I think these awards underline the strength in our team. Falcao was the best player at the tournament, Schumacher the second best, and Tiago the best keeper."

adidas Golden, Silver and Bronze Shoe
adidas Golden Shoe: Pula (RUS)
adidas Silver Shoe: Falcao (BRA)
adidas Bronze Shoe: Lenísio (BRA)

Russia goal-getter Pula’s prolific total of 16 goals earned him the award for the best sharp-shooter at the tournament, edging out Brazilian twosome Falcao (15) and Lenísio (11). The Russian number seven’s nine goals against the Solomon Islands also represents a new individual record.

"It hasn’t really sunk in yet, I think I’ll need until tomorrow or maybe even longer. Even in my wildest dreams, I never thought I’d score this many goals and end up as the leading scorer at the World Cup," the 27-year-old confessed to FIFA.com.


adidas Golden Gloves
This FIFA Futsal World Cup featured a fine crop of goalkeeping talent, but Brazil star Tiago rose above his rivals with a series of consistently excellent displays, providing his team with a rock-solid rearguard right until the end of the final against Spain. In naming him Best Goalkeeper, the FIFA Technical Study Group singled out Tiago’s reflexes and outstanding vision for special praise.

FIFA Fair Play Award
Spain ultimately fell short of a FIFA Futsal World Cup hat-trick, but the Iberians did not leave Brazil entirely empty-handed. Coach Venancio Lopez’ side accumulated 914 of a maximum possible 1,000 Fair Play points to finish as the fairest team of the tournament.



Javi Rodriguez: I’m proud

Sunday 19 October 2008

Few players can match Javi Rodriguez's achievements on the international stage. The Spain captain was playing in his fourth final in four FIFA Futsal World Cup appearances on Sunday, and although he failed to add to the winners medals he collected at Guatemala 2000 and Chinese Taipei 2004, the ageless Rodriguez has had another tournament to remember in Brazil.

A veteran of 32 FIFA Futsal World Cup matches, 27 of them wins, three draws and only two defeats, Rodriguez has scored 16 goals in all. And minutes after seeing the tournament hosts regain the trophy on penalties, the No 7 shook off his disappointment to share his thoughts exclusively with FIFA.com.

FIFA.com: Javi, how do you feel right now?
Javi Rodriguez: I'm sad we lost, of course, but I'm happy to have played in yet another final. I've played in four World Cups, appeared in four finals and won two, and I think we should be proud of taking Brazil all the way to penalties.

Tell us how you think the game went.
It was as close as we expected it to be but both sides had a lot of respect for each other. Brazil just had to win today, I suppose, because you always have an extra gear when you're playing in front of your own fans. We went out and played our own game and tried not to run around after them, although maybe we could have been a bit more attack-minded. Sometimes, though, you just have to adapt to things the way they turn out. I think we are the best two teams in the world and we showed that out there today.

Is this your last FIFA Futsal World Cup?
Definitely. Spanish futsal will be in really bad shape if I'm still around for the next one. I'm 34 so there's no way I can think about another World Cup now and you've also got to give the ones coming through a chance. With so many foreigners in the Spanish league there aren't as many home-grown players emerging as before, but even so I'm sure we'll see a new generation appear.

Which was the best team you played in?
The side that won in Guatemala. This team here is a good one too, but the side we had back then had more individual quality.

What do you think about the standard of futsal in general?
I think it's stood still a little, but we all need to pull together and make sure it keeps on developing steadily. Some teams have come on, though. In the past you used to turn up and hammer almost everyone, but that's changed now. Overall, everyone's pretty much on the same level and teams like Iran, Italy, Russia are getting harder and harder to beat.

Brazil won the title in Spain in 1996. It would have been nice for you to return the favour today.
Absolutely, and we almost did as well. They got the breaks in the penalty shootout, though, and that was that. Even so, I'm proud of the team because they gave everything.




Falcao: I feel fulfilled now

Sunday 19 October 2008

There was no happier man in Rio today than Falcao. Denied by Spain at Guatemala 2000 and Chinese Taipei 2004, Brazilian futsal's most iconic player finally pocketed his first FIFA Futsal World Cup winners medal, on home soil and against the Spaniards to boot.

As if that were not enough, the Seleçao's legendary No.12 confirmed his status as the world's leading exponent of the game by collecting the adidas Golden Ball for the second time running. The icing on the cake was provided by the adidas Silver Boot, which he also picked up as the second-highest scorer in the competition. And, after taking receipt of his silverware, the man himself broke away from the celebrations to chat exclusively to FIFA.com.

FIFA.com: Falcao, what are your feelings at this moment in time?
Falcao: I'm happy. I'm just sorry I twisted my ankle and couldn't help my team to victory at the end. I feel fulfilled now. Four years ago I won all the individual awards but I was desperate to be world champion. Now that I've won the title, the player of the tournament award and finished second top scorer, it's too much. I can't ask for more.

What does it mean to win your first world title at home?
It makes me feel tremendously happy because it's something I've been trying to achieve with the national side for 12 years. It's also come at a special time in a special place - here in Brazil, in front of our families. The feeling is just incredible.

What was your view of the final?
It was a very even game between two sides who know each other very well and put on a great show. My heart was really beating at the end but we managed to hang on and beat Spain in just the same way they beat us back in 2004.

Do you think Brazil deserved to be champions?
Yes, absolutely. There's no doubt in my mind that we deserved it. We've been working towards this for four years and in that time the team has grown and learnt to play an effective game. Winning the World Cup today has rounded it all off.

Can you see yourself playing in your fourth FIFA Futsal World Cup in four years?
I want to carry on playing for the national team and I want to enjoy being a world champion while still wearing the jersey. I'll be 35 at the next World Cup and so we'll have to see how things go. My aim is to play one more, though.

What do you think about the standard of futsal at the moment?
Obviously there are some teams who are still finding their way and naturally the results they've suffered tend to devalue the game a little. That said, I've seen a big improvement in most teams. Iran, for example, only lost one game in missing out on a place in the semi-finals, while Italy lost three and still managed to finish third. Portugal are a very good team and I was impressed by Russia. They are doing things very well and I think they'll be one of the sides to beat in four years time. Things have evened out now and we need to start preparing the new generation to compete in those circumstances.




Home triumph sends fans delirious

Monday 20 October 2008

When Brazil captain Vinicius hoisted the FIFA Futsal World Cup Trophy in front of a delirious crowd at midday on 19 October 2008, it was a case of ‘mission accomplished’ for the Auriverdes, as the South Americans claimed the most prestigious trophy in the game for the fourth time.

The side coached by Paulo de Oliveira were truly impressive throughout the tournament on home soil, dominating their rivals at will from the start to the finish. The Brazilians won all seven of their first and second round matches on their way to a remarkable goal difference of plus 54, with 58 goals scored and only four conceded. Falcao & Co never looked in any danger in their semi-final clash with Russia as they inexorably homed in on their target.

The final against arch-rivals and holders Spain was the only match the FIFA Futsal World Cup hosts failed to win in normal time, but they proceeded to claim the trophy in a six-metre shoot-out, sending the crowd at the Maracanazinho in Rio de Janeiro into raptures.

Accolades for Brazil, respect for Spain
Both the tournament stats and the individual awards reflected the new world champions’ superiority in almost every department. Falcao, Schumacher and Tiago swept the Best Player awards, while Falcao and team-mate Lenisio collected the adidas silver and bronze shoes respectively as second and third-highest scorers. Tiago was also named Best Goalkeeper at the tournament.

Runners-up Spain earned huge respect as the only team capable of matching the Auriverdes. After claiming the trophy twice in a row, coach Venancio Lopez and veteran stars Javi Rodriguez, Kike and Marcelo were forced to settle for the runners-up spot on this occasion, as the Brazilians shaded the shoot-out 4-3. Captain Rodriguez at least had the minor consolation of accepting the Fair Play award on behalf of his men.

Iran and Russia catching up fast
Iran and Russia were the surprise packages at the event. The Asian champions fell just one goal short of the semi-finals as Italy edged into the last four instead. Iran skipper Vahid Shamsaee showed huge potential and was named one of the ten best players by the FIFA Technical Study Group. His team-mate Mostafa Nazari also caught the eye and finished second in the Best Goalkeeper ranking.

Under coach Oleg Ivanov, Russia confirmed their emergence as a new power in the game. The Europeans were unable to neutralise the Brazilians in the last four and then fell to Italy in the match for third place, but the team spearheaded by the tournament’s leading scorer Pula and gifted schemer Vladislav Shayakhmetov underlined their growing reputation as one of the best in the world. They are young too, and will assuredly be there or thereabouts at the next FIFA Futsal World Cup in four years’ time.

Experience versus youth
Italy, runners-up in 2004 and at the 2007 European championships, once again claimed a place in the last four, falling only to bitter rivals Spain in the very last second of extra-time. Veteran 37-year-old keeper Alexandre Feller, captain Grana and Adriano Foglia were the best of a typically solid and vastly experienced Italian team.

Alongside the usual suspects, the tournament also threw up a crop of promising newcomers to the higher echelons of the world game. Ukraine emerged triumphantly from a group including Argentina, African runners-up Egypt and CONCACAF champions Guatemala. The men from Central America missed out on a place in the second round, but coach Carlos Estrada’s youngsters showed encouraging promise for the future.

Mixed bag for big names
Portugal and Argentina will have cause to ponder and reflect on their performance at the tournament. The Europeans failed to make it beyond the first round, a setback after thoroughly positive showings at previous world and continental championships. The Gauchos cannot be happy either after missing out on a spot in the last four, certainly a disappointment following a creditable fourth-place finish in Chinese Taipei four years ago.

There were moments to admire from a clutch of the remaining contenders too. Czech Republic, Libya, Thailand and Cuba all showed promise, although they will be only too conscious of the gap that remains between themselves and the giants of the world game.

Participants
Egypt, Argentina, Brazil, China PR, Guatemala, Iran, Italy, Japan, Cuba, Libya, Paraguay, Portugal, Russia, Solomon Islands, Spain, Thailand, Czech Republic, Ukraine, Uruguay, USA

Final standings
1. Brazil (Gold)
2. Spain (Silver)
3. Italy (Bronze)
4. Russia

Fair Play award
Spain

Venues
Gimnasio Nilson Nelson (Brasilia), Maracanazinho (Rio de Janeiro)

Total goals:
387 (average 6.91 goals per game)

Leading scorers:
16: Pula (RUS)
15: Falcao (BRA)
11: Lenisio (BRA)

Total attendance:
292,161

Average attendance:
5,217





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