Courtesy: UEFA.com


Loosveld inspired by World Cup memories

Thursday 4 December 2008

by Berend Scholten

The Netherlands will take part in the inaugural UEFA European Under-21 Futsal Tournament next week, almost two decades after their coach Marcel Loosveld scored in the sport's first World Cup final.

Final nostalgia
In 1989, Loosveld was a member of the Netherlands team who finished runners-up at the first FIFA Futsal World Cup, losing 2-1 to Brazil in the final. Today, he wants to pass on that experience to his charges in St Petersburg. "Since that time, futsal has developed at an incredibly high tempo," Loosveld told uefa.com. "A lot of new, stronger nations have joined the top ranks by taking futsal seriously. I still get reactions to the performance of the Dutch team at that tournament, and for me personally it's still nice to be the only Dutchman to have scored in a World Cup final. I still look back with positive feelings, and it remains a good memory and experience, which I can hand on to my players. Things are very different between then and now, though. Now, we are much more professional, and matches and tournaments are being played all over the world."

Group homework
The action in Russia begins on Monday, with Loosveld's side facing Ukraine before playing Spain and Kazakhstan in Group B. Loosveld, whose team defeated the Republic of Ireland, Azerbaijan and Andorra to qualify, said: "I have recent video on all our opponents, which we will be analysing and on which we will base our tactics. Ukraine and Spain will not be that different to their A-teams in terms of their playing style. Kazakhstan are less well-known, but we also have video of them, and I will also see them play twice in the tournament before we meet them."

Italian challenges
Since qualifying, Loosveld's side have not been resting on their laurels, defeating Portuguese club FC Sassoeiros 4-3 last month and then meeting Italy twice, losing 3-1 and drawing 2-2. "[These results] prove that the team can reach a high level," he said. "Our first goal, therefore, will be to survive the group stage."

Bright future
Dutch futsal fortunes have dimmed since Loosveld's moment of glory 19 years ago, but he believes their place in this tournament could change things. "After the many developments in Dutch futsal, it is obviously extremely important that we have been able to qualify for the first-ever Fustal Under-21 European Tournament," the 45-year-old said. "We are getting more publicity and this Under-21 team has a lot of potential and belongs among the best eight teams in Europe. Now they can develop further. I think that a number of players could have a bright future in futsal. In the longer run, this gives hope for the future that the Netherlands can again have an important role at international level."








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