Courtesy: UEFA.com


Two-goal Ippoliti inspires Italy to Turkey victory

Wednesday 1 February 2012

Luca Ippoliti's double and a Gabriel Lima effort ensured the Azzurri got off to a winning start, but they did go behind to the debutants.

Italy 3-1 Turkey

by Wayne Harrison from Spaladium Arena

Luca Ippoliti scored twice as Italy recovered from a goal down to defeat debutants Turkey in the opening match of UEFA Futsal EURO 2012 Group C.

Omer Kaner's ensemble, the outsiders in the section, shocked the 2003 winners with an early strike, Yasin Erdal the scorer in exquisite fashion. Ippoliti soon levelled with a deflected drive, yet it was not until the midway point of the second half that the same player volleyed Italy in front. Gabriel Lima stroked in a late third, leaving Turkey needing a result when they meet Russia here on Friday.

As expected, Italy were quick out of the traps, Saad Assis forcing Mahmut Akbas into action inside 60 seconds with a direct free-kick. At the other end, the Azzurri received a let-off when Stefano Mammarella denied Sami Büyüktopaç, who then lifted the rebound over.

Italy were not so fortunate a few moments later, though, as Yasin punished a lapse in concentration. Having picked Alessandro Patias's pocket, Kenan Köseoglu broke quickly, teeing up the No4 for a deft chip over Mammarella.

After Mahmut thwarted Vampeta with a fingertip save, Ippoliti restored parity with a powerful left-footed strike from distance which flicked off the head of Serhat Cicek. Roberto Menichelli's side pinned the newcomers back for the remainder of the half but if it was not a post frustrating them, then a combination of Mahmut and stoic defending ensured the sides went in level at the interval.

Normal service was resumed at the start of the second period, with Mahmut this time saving from Vampeta, who struck the woodwork soon after. It was developing into a game of attack against defence but, just as Italy seemed to be running out of ideas, Ippoliti registered his second from a Lima corner. Lima's casual finish gave the scoreline a more polished appearance.




Courtesy: UEFA.com


Menichelli unconcerned by Italy's Turkey travails

Italy coach Roberto Menichelli never feared his side would not defeat Turkey in Group C despite falling behind and then being held at 1-1 for long periods of the match in Split.

Wednesday 1 February 2012

by Wayne Harrison & Francesco Corda from Spaladium Arena


Roberto Menichelli, Italy coach
It was not an easy victory; we knew it wouldn't be simple. Turkey demonstrated that they are a good team. Indeed, I congratulate them on their recent good results, such as those in the Baku tournament [last month]. We knew they would defend and play on the counterattack and that is what happened during the game.

We had many chances to score but we didn't take advantage of many − we have to be more determined. It's also true that it's not easy to attack when a team stays compact within ten metres of its goal. However, it was important to get the three points, we did the job and we are happy. Now we have a few days in order to adjust things for Russia.

In the first half we conceded from their first and only chance, so you become a little anxious. I didn't ever fear we wouldn't win but, for sure, sometimes games develop in a way that is difficult to resolve.

Luca Ippoliti, Italy goalscorer
These are more important goals than the one I scored against Belgium at the last UEFA Futsal EURO because as soon as the game started we were 1-0 down. We were patient and the score could have been bigger. The important thing, however, was to take home the three points, which is what we did.

Ömer Kaner, Turkey coach
As I've said before, we're new, it's our first experience of this competition and it's not easy for the team. It's the European Championship finals and they are very excited, they want to do more. I know my players − they can hold the ball and do a lot of things with it, but we played against Italy, a good team who play very quickly. They didn't give us much space, so we had to defend.

It's possible to defend very well but you can always make a mistake and, when you do, you concede. I didn't tell my team to defend − we had to push Italy into their half. We had to play there but they got behind us very well and very quickly. That's why I'm not sad; I'm happy with my players.

We have very successful players in Turkey who can play with the ball but we were up against Italy and they couldn't show their [true] qualities. In futsal Italy can score five goals but at 2-1 we had a chance to equalise. If we had made it 2-2 it may have finished that way.

Yasin Erdal, Turkey captain and goalscorer
We knew it was going to be a tough match. Italy have a lot more experience than Turkey, especially in big tournaments. We played well for most of the game but we didn't manage to keep our early lead. We'll keep fighting and try to give our best against Russia [on Friday].




Courtesy: UEFA.com


Positive Portugal win Azerbaijan rematch

Wednesday 1 February 2012

Ricardinho made two goals and scored another as Portugal began Group D with victory against the side they beat in the 2010 semi-finals.

Portugal 4-1 Azerbaijan

by Paul Saffer from Arena Zagreb

Portugal began UEFA Futsal EURO 2012 with victory against the team they beat in the semi-finals two years ago, Azerbaijan.

Penalties were needed then but on this occasion Portugal prevailed in 40 minutes to open Group D, a man injured last time around − Ricardinho − setting up two before his brilliant late clincher. Azerbaijan now cannot afford another loss here against Serbia on Friday.

Their 2010 meeting was thrilling and the excitement began early tonight, Felipe shooting over for Azerbaijan before himself blocking a João Matos effort. However, Azerbaijan goalkeeper Andrey Tveryankin, at 44 becoming the oldest ever player in a UEFA final tournament, was then beaten by Cardinal, having parried Ricardinho's effort.

Just 41 seconds of playing time elapsed before it was 2-0, Felipe inadvertently turning in a shot from the man he had frustrated not long before, Matos. Soon the deficit was halved, Thiago playing through Rajab Farajzade who, as he tumbled, slipped the ball under the body of João Benedito.

Portugal were still positive and Tveryankin smartly denied Marinho. The keeper was almost caught out by Matos but somehow the ball rolled across the face of goal. Chances kept coming at both ends and it was a surprise that it was still 2-1 at the break, both goalkeepers doing superbly.

They continued to do so after half-time, Benedito denying Vitaliy Borisov and straight up the other end Tveryankin frustrating Cardinal. Azerbaijan stepped up the pace but after some near misses Ricardinho, on the counter, set up Marinho for 3-1.

Jadder Dantas, the replacement for injured Biro Jade, was mighty close to pulling one back with ten minutes left but Portugal were not sitting on their lead. Matos slipped when he looked certain to claim Portugal's fourth, but Ricardinho came up trumps with a brilliant chip over the diving Tveryankin.




Courtesy: UEFA.com


Portugal enjoy 'perfect' defeat of Azerbaijan

Portugal's delight was clear after opening with a 4-1 win against a frustrated Azerbaijan, Ricardinho enjoying his "magic" goal and João Matos stating that the 2010 runners-up were now even stronger.

Thursday 2 February 2012

by Nuno Tavares & Paul Saffer from Arena Zagreb

Jorge Braz, Portugal coach
In the first half we were a little bit disorganised, but that is normal in the first game of a competition like this. In the second half we were organised, we were running into the right places, defensively, offensively. When you do that with quality organisation of the five players on the pitch, it's easier. That's what happened.

Ricardinho, Portugal goalscorer
In my opinion we had an excellent match and we will try to do the same against Serbia, opponents we know very well from facing them in the past. I have been learning year after year and it helps a lot to have started my career so young and also the fact that I've learned with the best. It's always good when the magic appears but the most important thing is to work well and for the team.

Gonçalo, Portugal defender
It is very important to start a competition like this one with a win. I think we managed to respond well to what was asked of us. Every player knew exactly what he had to do on the pitch and when that's the case and you play without the fear of losing than we become one of the top European teams.

João Matos, Portugal defender
Above all it was crucial to start our campaign with a triumph. We played well and we controlled every single aspect of the game. In the first half we were forced to defend a bit more but in the second we started in a more decisive way and our quality did the rest. We were perfect in handling every moment of the match.

This win gives us more confidence and puts us in a more relaxed position for our next match. Having said that it does not mean that we will have an easy task against Serbia, far from it. It will be like another final for us. I do believe that tonight we proved that we are a better squad when compared with two years ago, when we faced Azerbaijan. The players of both teams were pretty much the same but we were much stronger tonight.

Alecio, Azerbaijan coach
I think we played well. We were not inferior to Portugal and the main reason for our defeat has to do with the fact they scored more goals than us. We were well organised and it is a shame that we come out of this match with a defeat. I think it was a very even game but then again we were facing the runners-up of the last European Championship.

Portugal worked well as a team and they were able to convert their chances. We missed ours and we ultimately paid the price for that. Our goalkeeper is having his best period. He's working hard to recover his form but he's 44 years old and that makes things harder.

Serjão, Azerbaijan forward
We already knew we were going to have a very tough match tonight. Portugal managed to score two early goals in quick succession and we were able to get one back, but then we missed several chances to draw level. It was like whenever we missed a chance they scored a goal.

The score was 2-1 and we should have scored but instead we conceded a goal on the counterattack. The same thing happened with their fourth goal. Against teams like Portugal its game over when you don't take your chances. This is the European Championship and you can't make mistakes like the ones we did.

Alves, Azerbaijan forward
It wasn't the start we imagined and wanted but that's the result you get when you miss as many chances as we did against such a strong team as Portugal. When you don't score there's always a risk you are going to concede and Portugal took advantage of our incapacity to convert the several chances we created.

Now we have to keep our heads up and start to think about our next match because there's still a lot to play for and we want to qualify. It's true that we missed Biro Jade tonight, especially because he is a leader on the pitch but we have several quality players who did their best. It just wasn't our night.




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