Courtesy: UEFA.com


Contrasting feelings for departing nations

Friday 12 December 2008

by Wayne Harrison from St Petersburg

There were mixed emotions from the four teams eliminated from the group stage of the first UEFA European Under-21 Futsal Tournament after the Netherlands, Slovenia, Croatia and Kazakhstan departed the competition on Thursday.

Last matches
Croatia and Slovenia both had a slim chance of qualifying going into the last set of Group A matches but a dramatic 4-4 draw in which Slovenia scored twice inside the final two minutes proved each sides' swansong. The Netherlands and Kazakhstan, meanwhile, were already out of contention before their Group B fixture against each other, which the Jong Oranje won 6-1.

'Disappointing'
The Netherlands conceded a goal five minutes from time to go down 3-2 against Ukraine in their opener and their coach Marcel Loosveld, whose team then lost 5-1 to Spain, believes that initial result was pivotal. "The last few days for us have been a little disappointing because we lost the first match and that was crucial for us," he said. "When I look at the teams I think we deserved to be in the semi-finals."

One goal
Playing in their nation's first UEFA final tournament of any sort, life was always going to be tough for Kazakhstan. Beaten in their opening two matches by Spain and Ukraine without scoring a goal, Aleksandr Dovgan broke that duck when he put his side 1-0 up against the Netherlands. With the youngest squad in the tournament and credible showings against Spain and Ukraine, there is certainly reason to be optimistic although coach Amirzhan Mukhanov found it difficult to extract many positives.

Downbeat
"We made it through the qualifiers and we brought the best players here we have in Kazakhstan, so it's either that or not coming at all," he said. "There are very few players who will continue on to the professional level and there are very few who are capable of playing at that level so unless more players join clubs and play professionally, the future is not so bright."

'Great success'
Slovenia surrendered leads against Italy and Russia, though for coach Zoran Tesko, simply being a part of the inaugural competition represented success. "For all the players it is a dream come true to play here at this level," he said. "For a small country like Slovenia with two million people to play against other countries like Italy, Russia and Croatia is very nice and to be in the best eight in Europe is a great success."

‘Excellent quality’
Croatia were also guilty of leaking late goals, conceding against both Russia and Slovenia in the final 13 seconds, but although Mladen Perica is furious after their failure to beat their neighbours he found some consolation. "The quality of all games I saw was excellent so this is great for our young players and an experience they can use in the future to progress to the next level," he said.



Courtesy: UEFA.com


Giasson not afraid of Spanish challenge

Friday 12 December 2008

by Francesco Corda from St Petersburg

Some players might shrink from finding out they have to play Spain in a futsal semi-final. Not Italy's Daniel Giasson.

Spain await
Giasson and his Azzurrini colleagues drew 2-2 with UEFA European Under-21 Futsal Tournament hosts Russia last night in St Petersburg to finish second in Group A, meaning that today they take on the winners of the other pool, Spain – the sport's powerhouse. But Torrino SC defender Giasson is happy with Italy's fate.

Hardest path
"The day before yesterday we were having a joke," Giasson told uefa.com. "When my team-mates made the calculations about who we could play I emphasised to them that a draw would be enough and that the nice thing would be to have Spain in the semi-finals and to meet Russia in the final, becoming European champions. Thus nobody would have any doubts because Italy would have played against the strongest teams."

Previous form
In any case, Italy beat Spain 3-1 in a February friendly in which Giasson scored. "It will definitely be a difficult game against Spain, but we have already played away against them and we won," he said. "We demonstrated against Russia we could match them with all the stadium against us. I think we have our chances."

Coach's absence
Italy will be without coach Paolo Minicucci due to suspension today but Giasson insists the team can still thrive. "We are a squad that knows exactly what the boss wants," he said. "It will be a little more difficult but it is the moment to demonstrate the strength of the group."

Pride
Not to mention national pride. "Since the moment we knew we could be able to play in a European tournament we have looked forward to this moment," Giasson added. "We came here to do our best representing Italy. Now we want to finish at least in the top two."




Courtesy: UEFA.com


Russia and Ukraine ready for last-four showdown

Friday 12 December 2008

Match preview by Paul Saffer from St Petersburg

UEFA European Under-21 Futsal Tournament hosts Russia have already given their fans plenty of excitement in St Petersburg and there will be extra spice on Friday night when their semi-final opponents are neighbours Ukraine.

Similarities
Russia drew 2-2 with Italy on Thursday to top Group A on goals scored ahead of the Azzurrini, while Ukraine lost 2-1 to Spain in the Group B decider, but both those teams were already through. There has been little to tell between Russia and Ukraine's performances this week, and to add to the similarities both teams are led by the same coaches as their senior squads, the hosts' Oleg Ivanov and Gennadiy Lysenchuk.

Familiar foes
Ivanov, who will again be without Ildar Nugumanov as he serves the second game of a two-match ban, has plenty of experience of taking on his opposite number's squad, not least in last December's friendly U21 tournament in St Petersburg, when Russia beat Ukraine 6-1 in the semi-finals. "We know Ukraine pretty well, as we play against them two or three times a year," Ivanov said. "They are a team with great character, they usually play defensive futsal and try to make dangerous counterattacks. Ukraine are always determined."

Weaknesses
He is also well aware of where Russia have to improve, having needed last-gasp goals to hold Croatia 3-3 and beat Slovenia 4-3, both sides the hosts were expected to defeat. Ivanov said: "Our weak sides are as follows: we always have problems when coming out of own half and when our opponents pressure us, and we let in goals that we shouldn't. So we have to work, and work hard."

Ambition
Lysenchuk described Russia as a "strong team", and is well aware of their strengths and weaknesses. Having led Ukraine to two senior European finals, he hopes to take part in the first U21 decider on Sunday. "We'll prepare in the best way and we'll do all we can to play against Spain in two days' time," Lysenchuk said.

Areas for improvement
Like Ivanov, Lysenchuk is clear-eyed about where his players need to improve. "Our problems are simple – we often lose the ball in simple situations and make to many errors when passing," he said. "Also our goalkeeper sometimes brings out the ball badly. Last but not least, we don't shoot as often as I would like, even though we get into good positions. If the players overcome their nerves, we'll score more goals than we'll let in."




Courtesy: UEFA.com


Azzurrini aim to take game to Spain

Friday 12 December 2008

Match preview by Paul Saffer from St Petersburg

Two months ago Spain and Italy met in a tumultuous FIFA Futsal World Cup semi-final which the Azzurri lost with an own goal in the very last second of extra-time. Now those nations play again on Friday for a place in the first UEFA European Under-21 Futsal Tournament final.

Contrasting results
Spain, whose senior side also defeated Italy in last year's UEFA European Futsal Championship decider in Porto, have shown similar prowess in this new competition, winning all three Group B games and totalling eleven goals, including five from finals top scorer Pola. Italy finished second in Group A behind Russia on goals scored following a 2-2 draw against the hosts. They equalised twice, as in the opening 2-2 result against Slovenia and also trailed before beating Croatia 2-1.

Spain test
Italy, however, are the only team to have defeated this Spain squad, a 3-1 friendly win in February. Azzurrini coach Paolo Minucucci, who will be suspended for the match due to his dismissal against Russia, said: "We know Spain, the game will be very difficult."

Tactics
He does, however, have a tactical plan. "They are a team who cannot be allowed time on the ball, therefore will have to press them a lot and not give them the initiative, otherwise you are not able to get out of your own half. It will be a truly intense game, if we still have the energy. Spain are probably the best team in this tournament and maybe the only one that play true futsal: all their players made a remarkable impression on me, but in particular Pola and [Mario] Ossorio."

López impressed
Overseeing the work of Spain U21 coach Jordi García has been the man that led the senior squad to their wins against Italy in the World Cup and European Championship, José Venancio López. And he has liked what he has seen. "Spain have performed consistently in this tournament from a technical point of view," he told uefa.com. "Against both Kazakhstan and the Netherlands we were able to score quickly, and that frustrated our opponents, opening up their defences for Spain to dominate."

Speed
Having stayed after Spain's group-clinching 2-1 win against Ukraine last night to watch Italy draw with Russia, López is also in a good position to compare the two opponents competing for a place in Sunday's final. "The styles of the teams are actually very similar," he said. "The difference is that Spain move the ball about a lot and are a faster team than Italy."







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