Courtesy: UEFA.com



Croatia's Capar strikes to deny Spain

Wednesday 29 January 2014

Flying goalkeeper Matija Capar equalised just over two minutes from time to deny the holders, who had come from behind to lead.

Spain 3-3 Croatia

by Paul Saffer from Lotto Arena

Flying goalkeeper Matija Capar equalised just over two minutes from time to earn Croatia a superb draw against UEFA Futsal EURO holders Spain.

Semi-finalists at home in 2012, Croatia deservedly led 2-1 at half-time but a two-goal burst in less than a minute from Lin seemed to have won it for the five-time champions, only for Capar to dramatically level. Croatia will now be through from Group D on Friday if they beat the Czech Republic, who Spain – missing injured Miguelín – play on Sunday.

Torras sent the first effort just wide, while at the other end Dario Marinović went close three times for Croatia. Also impressing was Franko Jelovčić, whose father Robertino spent much of his futsal career in Belgium, as he made an interception but was only just denied by Rafa.

At the midway point in the half Jelovčić again broke and although Rafa parried two shots before a third was blocked on the line, Saša Babić turned in the last of the rebounds. Ivo Jukić stood tall as Fernandão got clear, Croatia now having to show their defensive prowess in the absence of suspended Jakov Grcić.

The equaliser narrowly failed to come as an Ortiz corner was met by a low first-time finish by Aicardo. Not long after, though, Marinović set in motion another break and played across for Jelovčić to lash inside the far post, and it was nearly 3-1 just before the interval as Rafa tipped wide from Tihomir Novak.

Spain were on an attacking bent to start the second half and Torras twice hit the post before Lin levelled, as he pounced on a defensive pass. Just 52 seconds later, Lin struck again from a tight angle, and Spain were back in control, Aicardo's flick tipped wide by Jukić.

Croatia brought on Matija Capar as a flying goalkeeper, at last giving them a spell of possession. And with just over two minutes left, a Jelovčić shot was blocked and Capar pounced to volley in and spark wild celebrations. Sergio Lozano hit the post with ten seconds left, but Spain were to be denied.




Courtesy: UEFA.com


Slovenia break duck to shock Italy

Wednesday 29 January 2014

Slovenia ended their wait for a first final tournament win with a surprise victory after a dramatic conclusion in Antwerp.

Italy 2-3 Slovenia

by Paul Saffer from Lotto Arena

Slovenia won a UEFA Futsal EURO final tournament game at the eighth attempt as they pulled off an upset against former champions Italy.

Having twice taken the lead, Slovenia made it 3-1 in the 39th minute when Igor Osredkar scored into an empty net. Saad pulled one back with 31 seconds left, but it was not enough for Italy and a draw against Azerbaijan on Friday will take Slovenia through.

Merlim, one of the few Italy players making a major finals debut, shot over early on, but it was a tight opening. That changed in the 11th minute when Osredkar fed Gašper Vrhovec and his low shot from distance caught out Stefano Mammarella in the Italy goal.

Daniel Giasson responded with an effort just wide, but it was nearly 2-0 when Rok Mordej stole the ball and found Kristjan Čujec, whose strike was tipped past the post by Mammarella. From the corner, the woodwork was rattled by Alen Fetič’s fine drive. Italy rallied late in the half but Saad missed and Luca Leggiero was denied by Damir Puškar.

Italy had come from behind to beat Slovenia in the first match of their 2003 finals success, but in that game they were already 2-1 up at half-time rather than trailing. Fortino had an early effort blocked by Puškar but he beat the keeper at his near post in the 24th minute after a Gabriel Lima corner.

Slovenia immediately responded, Čujec of New Team FVG holding the ball about 12 metres out and smashing his shot past Mammarella. Puškar did well to stop from Giasson, but Slovenia were also still launching attacks. Lima was tried as a flying goalkeeper in the last three minutes, but the empty net was found by Osredkar from deep in the Slovenia half. Saad responded but time ran out for Italy, now desperate for a result against Azerbaijan on Sunday.







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