Courtesy: The Nation


Past and present champions meet for futsal crown

November 18, 2012

The 7th Fifa Futsal World Cup heads for a grandstand finale when the only two countries to have won the world championship, defending champions Brazil and Spain, meet yet again today.

It is the fourth time the two familiar foes will battle for the title. In the previous edition, the South Americans came out on top after a penalty shootout at home four years ago.

The European heavyweights strode into the showcase match after victory over Italy, who must surely be sick of the sight of the Iberians after succumbing to them both at the Uefa Futsal Euro in February earlier this year and at Brazil 2008. The Furia Roja left no doubt as to who the continental top dogs are with a 4-1 triumph.

Brazil, on the other hand, laboured for much of the game to get the better of surprise package Colombia in the first all-South American semi-final fixture in the tournament's history. Ultimately though, the four-time champions' pressure paid off as they ran out 3-1 winners.

The final promises to be a feast for futsal lovers everywhere, with two of the best teams in the world bringing star-studded line-ups to this heavyweight clash. Brazil, who have reached all but one final, will be hoping to add to the four titles they already hold, while opponents Spain will be contesting their fifth final.

Spain's journey through the tournament has been largely untroubled. After topping Group B, ahead of Iran, Panama and Morocco, they knocked out tournament hosts Thailand in the last-16 round and overcame a dangerous Russia in the quarter-finals before a semi-final victory over Italy.

Brazil started out in Group C alongside Portugal, Japan and Libya and moved comfortably past round of 16 opponents Panama. Their toughest test came against Argentina in the quarter-finals, when they needed extra time to complete a dramatic comeback.






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