by Luca Ranocchiari - Futsalplanet.com editor

Definitely a sad news from Poland, known since some weeks. The national champions of Akademia FC Pniewy announced on July 12th, through the words of club president Cezary Pieczynski, their withdrawal from the league due to financial reasons (here is the official note posted on the club web site).

An hard blow for the prestige of the local Futsal Ekstraklasa for sure, but not only. After an impressive league win obtained thanks to a perfect and unforgettable play-off series, Despotovic and friends were supposed to take part in the UEFA Futsal Cup Main Round Group 5 along with host side MNK Split, Russian champions Dinamo Moscow and the winner of the preliminary round group B (set to be played in Birkerød, Denmark, between København Futsal, Helvécia Futsal London, Lidselmash Lida and Edro Vlorë).

What's gonna happen now? According to our sources the Futsal Ekstraklasa's body proposed UEFA to replace the 11/12 champions with league runners up Wisla Krakbet Krakow or Polish Cup holders Gatta Active Zdunska Wola. This option, though, will generate some troubles regarding the club coefficients, not enough for the Main Round.

A three clubs tournament is then most likely to take place, with the game between MNK Split and Dinamo Moscow reduced to a pure formality, in absence of shocking surprises.