Courtesy: UEFA.com


Holders in sight of April showpiece

Wednesday 12 November 2008

UEFA Futsal Cup holders MFK Viz-Sinara Ekaterinburg moved three points clear in Elite round Group A on Wednesday as another of last season's finalists Kairat Almaty and former winners Action 21 Charleroi began their mini-tournament in useful fashion.

Luparense comeback
Group A hosts Ekaterinburg beat Luparense Calcio A5 5-3 yesterday but were only second after the first games as FC Shakhtar Dontesk defeated Slov-Matic Fofo Bratislava 7-1. However, Shakhtar fell 3-2 to the Italian champions today despite leading on four minutes through Fumasa. Mauro Canal equalised and although Ramis Mansurov immediately restored the Shakhtar advantage, Arceni Júnior Barboza levelled on the stroke of half-time and Marcelo Barro won the game for Luparense with ten minutes left.

Ekaterinburg move clear
However, Luparense's hopes were then ended as Ekaterinburg overcame Bratislava 3-1. Konstantin Timoshchenkov, Konstantin Agapov and Andrey Shabanov struck before the break though there was a late Martin Rejzek consolation. If Luparense beat Bratislava on Friday, Shakhtar must beat Ekaterinburg by two goals to pip them to the final four. Otherwise, Ekaterinburg will need a point to join Russian rivals MFK Dinamo Moskva in April's showpiece.

Charleroi relief
Charleroi and Kairat finished fourth in the two finals events since the format was introduced for 2006/07 and are competing in Group B in Belgium. Kairat opened by beating Slovenian side KMN Gorica, while hosts Charleroi were given a tough game by Czech champions FK Era-Pack Chrudim before prevailing 5-2. Tomáš Sluka gave Chrudim a half-time lead but Lúcio Rosa levelled after the break. Pedro Medina edged Charleroi in front on 27 minutes and although Roman Mareš swiftly equalised, André Vanderlei immediately made it 3-2 and struck again two minutes from time after Chrudim's Petr Popelka had been shown a red card. Lúcio claimed the fifth with second remaining.

Thursday games
The mini-tournament continues on Thursday with Chrudim against Kairat and Charleroi facing Gorica. Group D also gets underway in Lisbon; two-time winners Interviú Madrid play KMF Ekonomac Kragujevac of Serbia and hosts SL Benfica meet Israel's Hapoel Ironi Rishon Lezion.



Courtesy: UEFA.com


Interviú face fresh Benfica examination

Thursday 13 November 2008

Interviú Madrid are aiming to become the first three-time UEFA Futsal Cup winners and face a challenge from familiar opponents as they begin their campaign in Elite round Group D.

Final rematch
The mini-tournament is being hosted by SL Benfica within the Estádio da Luz complex, where the Spanish team formerly known as Boomerang Interviú won the 2004 final in the two-legged format and beat the Portuguese side 4-2 in the second qualifying round in 2006 on their way to regaining the trophy. The two teams will meet when the group concludes on Sunday, with Serbian team KMF Ekonomac Kragujevac and Israeli outfit Hapoel Ironi Rishon Lezion also hoping to earn the one final-four place available.

Challenges
Juan Luis Alonso, who took over from as Interviú this summer from the man that led them to victory in 2004 and 2006, Jesús Candelas, is wary of all their opponents. "We start against the Serbian champions Ekonomac, who like most teams from that country are extremely competitive and more than capable of causing a surprise," he said. "Perhaps the Israeli side will be the weakest but at no moment can we afford to drop our guard. In this competition, committing the slightest error can leave you out."

Aim
Alonso's side currently lead the Spanish league, and warmed up on Tuesday with a charity match against an all-star side led by futsal fan Zinédine Zidane. "As leaders of our domestic league we'll go into [the Benfica game] with a lot of confidence," Alonso said. "If we play at our best we can beat Benfica. Winning the European title is extremely important not only because of the title itself but because winning it allows you to compete in the tournament again the following season and it also gives you the opportunity of competing for the intercontinental title [which Interviú have won for the last four years]."

Benfica hope
Benfica, who are yet to match their 2004 run, are unbeaten after five Portuguese league games this season, drawing only their derby against Sporting Clube de Portugal. Coach André Lima was a player in the previous meetings with Interviú, and believes the 1-1 draw at Sporting "was excellent preparation for the Futsal Cup Elite round. It was an opportunity to test our players because Sporting have a really good team, similar to all of the squads we will meet in the Elite round."

Contenders
Ekonomac made their competition debut in the Main round, taking seven points from three games, and are aiming to match the promising performances of compatriots KMF Marbo Beograd in recent years. They lead the Serbian league while Hapoel are yet to start their Israeli domestic campaign. Hapoel were also unbeaten in the Main round, including an impressive 2-2 draw with FK Era-Pack Chrudim, and will hope to improve on their Elite round showing on their debut last year when they lost narrowly three times in a very tough pool. Captain Yair Almekias said: "Reaching the final 16 for the second season in succession is an achievement in itself. We all have big hearts and will give it our best shot." Goalkeeper Yariv Shavit added: "Playing in front of 3,000 fans with an amazing atmosphere is what these tournaments are all about. Now we just have to go out and try extend this dream."






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