All reports below are courtesy: UEFA.com


Prudnikov pounces to give Russia the title

Sunday 14 December 2008

Match report by Paul Saffer from Yubileyny Sports Palace

Dmitri Prudnikov's double penalty four minutes from time gave hosts Russia victory in an extraordinary first UEFA European Under-21 Futsal Tournament final against Italy in St Petersburg.

Thriller
Dmitri Lyskov and Danil Kutuzov gave Russia the advantage before the break but Gabriel Lima and Andre Fantecele cancelled out that lead. Lyskov made it 3-2 in extra time and although Wellington Coco scored twice in 22 seconds, Ildar Nugumanov levelled and home captain Prudnikov justified his star billing when it really mattered.

Home support
The hosts have been picking up fans all week and from the start the arena echoed to their chants. Ivan Milovanov headed a long ball wide on two minutes and also forced Gabriel Miraglia to save before winning the ball in the middle and finding Prudnikov, whose effort was not far off target.

Russia on top
Italy did not concede a foul until the eleventh minute but it nearly led to a goal as Kirill Pogorelov's free-kick found Nugumanov, back from a two-game suspension, and Miraglia did well to block. But soon after, Russia were in front thanks to Lyskov's emphatic finish. Russia remained the dominant force and three minutes later Nugumanov's corner was turned in by Kutuzov. It could have been 3-0 at the break but Miraglia turned over Pogorelov's strike.

Italy recovery
Azzurrini coach Paolo Minicucci deployed Leandro Garcia in goal for the second half, and five minutes in his shot from inside the Russia half was blocked by opposite number Sergei Slemzin. And a much livelier Italy display was rewarded when Lima shot in from the edge of the box after Felipe Arteiro's effort was blocked by Vladimir Goncharov.

Equaliser
Now Russia were having to defend and Fantecele broke from deep only to be denied by Slemzin. At the other end Garcia made a superb point-blank save from Goncharov that left him winded, while Fantecele continued to threaten, volleying only just wide. And he got the equaliser just over five minutes from time, pouncing after Garcia and Lima both had shots blocked. Garcia remained in goal and just before the 40-minute mark stopped Prudnikov's header from Slemzin's throw while Coco hit the post in a thrilling passage of play.

Extra-time excitement
Both teams committed five second-half fouls, making extra time even more tense. But the atmosphere was celebratory when Lyskov's angled shot beat Garcia. Italy are seldom behind for long, though, and Coco levelled with a great finish before a repeat performance 22 seconds later. However, after Douglas Perassolli missed a double penalty, it was level when Nugumanov turned in Prudnikov's cross at the far post. An Italy handball a minute after the turnaround finally proved decisive, Prudnikov dispatching the ten-metre kick. Garcia did have a double penalty seven seconds from time but his effort the post.



Prolific Pola finishes at summit

Sunday 14 December 2008

by Paul Saffer from St Petersburg

Spain striker Pola finished as UEFA European Under-21 Futsal Tournament finals top scorer as his tally of five goals proved enough for the honour.

Pola feat
Pola's side exited in the semi-finals but at that point his five group stage goals left him one clear of the nearest challenger, Mohammed Attaibi, whose Netherlands side did not make the last four. Russia's final winner Dmitri Prudnikov and Italy's Gabriel Lima both scored once in the decider to join Attaibi on four goals, while Dmitri Lyskov managed two strikes to go on to the same total. Overall the 15 games produced 71 goals, the most being nine in the final.

Lima level with El Adel
Lima's goal did have one consolation, as it proved his ninth goal of the entire competition, drawing him level with Netherlands player Sofian El Adel, whose tally of eight in qualifying was unmatched. Just behind them were El Adel's team-mate Attaibi plus Dario Marinović of Croatia and Pola.

2008 UEFA European Under-21 Futsal Tournament finals top scorers

Player (Country) Goals

Pola (Spain) 5
Mohammed Attaibi (Netherlands) 4
Gabriel (Italy) 4
Dmitri Prudnikov (Russia) 4
Dmitri Lyskov (Russia) 4
Andrè Fantacele (Italy) 3
Dario Marinovic (Croatia) 3
Kirill Pogorelov (Russia) 3


2008 UEFA European Under-21 Futsal Tournament overall top scorers

Player (Country) Goals

Sofian El Adel (Netherlands) 9
Gabriel (Italy) 9
Mohammed Attaibi (Netherlands) 8
Dario Marinovic (Croatia) 8
Pola (Spain) 8




Garcia takes stock after Italy heartbreak

Sunday 14 December 2008

by Francesco Corda from Yubileyny Sports Palace

Italy goalkeeper Leandro Garcia watched the first half of the UEFA European Under-21 Futsal Tournament final from the bench but was to play a huge role in the heartbreaking defeat by Russia.

Heartbreak
With the score at 2-0 to Russia at the break, Italy coach Paolo Minicucci – for the first time in the tournament – turned to Garcia and it quickly became clear why as the goalkeeper continually advanced and acted almost as a playmaker, also threatening with some ferocious shots, one of which led to their equaliser. In extra time Italy trailed, then led through two quickfire Wellington Coco goals before falling 5-4 down. With seven seconds left they were awarded a double penalty with which Garcia hit the post.

'Hard to speak'
"It is difficult to speak about this match," Garcia told uefa.com. "We could have won and we all expected this achievement. Then our luck vanished, the ball hit the inside of the post three times and didn't want to go in, it's unbelievable. I thought that my shot was in but that was not the case."

Role
Garcia explained why a previously unused substitute should be given such a central role midway through the final. "I came on because I'm skilful with the ball. I knew that when necessary I could play. I was sure of myself. I did well, I hoped for a different result but it was not possible. When Coco scored his double I thought that we had won. I told myself the prize is ours and nobody can take it from us. The coach told us to pay attention on dead-balls but we were not cute enough to do that."

Coco's reflection
Coco himself had his own reflections on the loss. "Perhaps at the start we were lacking confidence and were not able to believe that now we were in the final, we could actually win it," said one of the most impressive players in the tournament. "We played really well but just not at the end. A lack of aggression and confidence was why we lost. I am satisfied with what I did and how we played. I played for my team and I would not have been a hero had we won. Russia deserved to win this game as they capitalised on our mistakes."

Positive note
However, Garcia was able to put the loss into perspective. "This tournament was a positive experience, because my career is beginning now," he said. "To start with a second place and playing well is important. I want to keep up this achievement for the rest of my life."






Sunday 14 December 2008

Match review by Wayne Harrison from Yubileyny Sports Palace

Oleg Ivanov admitted his team's 5-4 defeat of Italy in the inaugural UEFA European Under-21 Futsal Tournament final in St Petersburg nearly caused him a "heart attack" such was the "spectacular" nature of the match. The hosts led 2-0 only for Italy to level and then go 4-3 in front during the first period of extra time before strikes from Ildar Nugumanov and a double penalty by captain Dmitri Prudnikov won the title for Russia, leading Italy coach Paolo Minicucci to point out that "anything could have happened" at 4-4.

Oleg Ivanov, Russia coach
It was a really spectacular match with many goals and great movement from both teams, who showed all the great components of futsal. Our opponents played well yet I was close to having a heart attack. We were a little bit luckier in the end. We let in two goals in the first extra time period but we have had problems in defence during the whole tournament. Italy were always dangerous on the counterattack and we were simply not fast enough in tracking back.

We will analyse all our mistakes but many of this U21 side will be in the senior national team soon. It was a dramatic game between two equal teams. Italy have great players and many of them too will play at senior level. We missed a lot of chances once again as we were too nervous, yet all ended well and that's good.

Paolo Minicucci, Italy coach
Today the game was played at the highest level. In the previous games we conceded once and needed to come back but today we conceded two and it was harder to catch up with Russia; we paid a big price for this and had to spend a lot time during the match recovering. When it was 4-4 anything could have happened. The game was being played really fast which meant that it was played at the highest level. The game was really beautiful and exciting and I'm happy we showed such a game to all the fans. When we were analysing Russia's play we decided the most important thing was to control the ball. Once we were losing we changed tactics and put on the other goalkeeper on [Leandro Garcia], who is quite a good outfield player, and played in their half. We were successful in doing that as we got to 4-4 but the Russian team were perhaps a bit luckier and that's why we lost.

The great sorrow today is that I said to the lads before kicking off that this game would be decided on dead-ball situations. Essentially, we conceded five goals from these. We played really well in the final and the most important thing is that there is a future for this sport and even during the qualifying stages [of future tournaments], the quality will be as high as in the final. Today it was destiny that Russia won the first European tournament.



Petrov relieved as spirit shines through

Monday 15 December 2008

by Dennis Novitsky from Yubileyny Sports Palace

Moments after his side's dramatic victory in the UEFA European Under-21 Futsal Tournament final, Russia's Aleksei Petrov admitted that at one point he had started to think that they were heading for defeat during a tumultuous game.

'Didn't give up'
The hosts led 2-0 at half-time in St Petersburg but Italy came back to level and force an extra ten minutes. In the first additional period Russia went back in front before conceding twice in 22 seconds, though they were to equalise and prevail 5-4. Petrov told uefa.com: "When Italy took the lead in the first period of extra time, I had thoughts that we would not win. But we didn't give up. I believed in the lads and believed in myself."

Dramatic scenes
Petrov looked back over an extraordinary conclusion to the first competition at this level. "It was a very tough game," he said. "It was like a swing – we were leading 2-0, but in the second half made two silly mistakes and conceded two goals. In extra time our opponents suddenly went in front but we are Russians; we always fight until the end and that's why we earned victory. However, we barely held out in the final moments."

Fans' favourite
FC Spartak Ruza player Petrov proved a favourite of the Yubileyny Sports Palace crowd this week, a memorable experience for the 21-year-old. "I'd really like to hope that the fans supported me personally because of my fighting spirit and charismatic character," he said. "But to tell the truth, I don't care why they did – it's very pleasant anyway and I want to thank them. Such support means a lot, it's an obvious advantage, and I think that we won because of that."

Next goal
His time with the U21 side is at an end and now Petrov has the daunting task of trying to earn a place in the senior Russia squad, semi-finalists in the 2007 UEFA European Futsal Championship and 2008 FIFA Futsal World Cup. "I'll work hard, I'll try as much as I can to get to the senior team," Petrov said. "Everything depends on myself and how I play. But right now I don't want to think about anything because there are so many emotions and they have taken control of me."



A dozen futsal fledgings for the future

Monday 15 December 2008

by Paul Saffer from St Petersburg

The next generation of international talent was showcased over the last week at the inaugural UEFA European Under-21 Futsal Tournament in St Petersburg. uefa.com's team of reporters at the finals in Russia give their selection of 12 of the players who displayed particular promise for the future.

Zarko Luketin (Croatia)
Croatia condeded nine goals at the tournament but their goalkeeper was perhaps the best on display. Especially in the opening 3-3 draw with Russia and 2-1 loss to Italy – eventual finalists both – Luketin made save after save to keep his team in the game, and in the last match with Slovenia even found the target himself.

Dmytro Lytvynenko (Ukraine)
Ukraine's captain and first-choice goalkeeper nearly frustrated Russia in the 1-0 semi-final loss, keeping the score goalless for most of the match. He also kept a clean sheet against Kazakhstan and ensured the Netherlands did not make the most of their early dominance in a game Ukraine recovered to win 3-2.

Dmitri Prudnikov (Russia)
Lytvynenko was eventually beaten by a stunning solo effort from the Russia captain, who showed his class earlier in the autumn in helping the senior side to the FIFA Futsal World Cup semi-finals. However, his real moment of magic was to come with his double penalty goal in final extra-time to secure Russia's 5-4 win against Italy.

Kirill Pogorelov (Russia)
Only one hat-trick was scored in the finals and it was crucial one, earning Russia an opening 3-3 draw with Croatia, the equaliser two seconds from time. However, the diminutive Pogorelov was not just a goalscorer, rather a bustling, energetic presence in a sport where those qualities are invaluable, as he showed in the final.

Mohammed Attaibi (Netherlands)
The Netherlands were probably the most unfortunate team to be eliminated in the group stage as their array of talent was equal to any of the semi-finalists, despite having no full-time professionals. Attaibi especially impressed with four goals and a range of skills, not to mention physical presence.

Aleksandr Dovgan (Kazakhstan)
It took Kazakhstan until the start of their third game against the Netherlands to score and it was a just reward for Dovgan. He was not overawed by the occasion even in the youngest and most inexperienced team in the finals.

Jorge Barroso (Spain)
In terms of individual talents, Spain had a surfeit, even though their spectacular run was brought to a shuddering halt by the Italy defence in the semi-finals. Jorge Barroso is an all-round performer that proved important to their dominant group stage performance, though so were the likes of captain Lolo and Mario Ossorio, to name but two.

Pola (Spain)
One consolation for Spain was that Adrián Alonso – better known as Pola – topped the scoring charts with five goals. The most natural finisher in the tournament, he had a habit of being in the right place and the right time.

Kristjan Cujec (Slovenia)
The athletic Cujec was an important reason that Slovenia came within a last-gasp Russia winner of possibly reaching the semi-finals. Slovenia proved more than a match for both Italy and Russia, with Cujec a handful in all areas including in front of goal.

Dmitriy Klochko (Ukraine)
Klochko, like Čujec for Slovenia, was someone Ukraine's opponents could never keep an eye off, in defence and attack. He worked especially well with talented brothers Oleksandr and Dmytro Sorokin.

Wellington Coco (Italy)
Coco is another player who epitomises the intensity that is required in futsal and possesses natural flair that betrays the Brazilian roots he shares with much of the Italy squad. His two goals in 22 extra-time seconds briefly gave Italy their only final lead.

Gabriel Lima (Italy)
Italy expect big things of Lima and he showed why in the tournament, not least by chipping in with important equalisers in all three of their group games and then pulling one back in the final loss to Russia.

Players selected by Francesco Corda, Wayne Harrison, Dennis Notivsky & Paul Saffer







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