Courtesy: UEFA.com


Lozano promises Spain fightback

Friday 31 January 2014

"Clearly it is a result we did not expect," Spain's Sergio Lozano said of the 3-3 draw with Croatia but the hero of the 2012 final promised UEFA.com they will hit their stride.

by Gonzalo Aguado from Antwerp

Spain began UEFA Futsal EURO 2014 as favourites to make it five European titles in a row, but Wednesday's Group D opener against Croatia did not go as planned.

Having trailed twice in the first half, Spain then went 3-2 up, only to be denied victory by a 38th-minute equaliser. Sergio Lozano, two-goal hero of the Iberians' dramatic comeback to beat Russia in the 2012 final, spoke to UEFA.com about the low spirits in the camp; however, the FC Barcelona forward also vowed they would show their true selves on Sunday when a win against the Czech Republic would book a quarter-final slot.

UEFA.com: What are the emotions after the draw with Croatia?
Sergio Lozano: The squad is unhappy. Clearly it is a result we did not expect. We did not have a good game, but we didn't deserve to draw. That said, they used their strengths very well, with direct balls to the pivot and strong pressing in midfield. We did not know how to attack. In the end we drew, but this can be remedied by winning on Sunday.

UEFA.com: Is it always tough to be at your best in an opening game?
Lozano: I have played three major tournaments with Spain and the first game is always difficult. In the last [FIFA Futsal] World Cup we drew and in Croatia [UEFA Futsal EURO 2012] we had to go through a lot to defeat Slovenia. I hope it is normal and that we will improve during the tournament.

UEFA.com: But you had beaten Croatia 10-0 in qualifying ...
Lozano: We knew it would be a very different game. We didn't have the qualifying match in mind. We did not do things as we should have, but we must not take anything away from Croatia. We must analyse our errors and work to improve. If something characterises us, it is that we are a very competitive team.

UEFA.com: Is there big expectation on you to win yet another title?
Lozano: People may think this is an easy ride, but we are here and we know that a EURO is never easy. In all previous championships we have had a game where we struggled. We knew it was not going to be easy, and we are aware that there is a lot of work to do to win the title again.

UEFA.com: How will you correct things on Sunday?
Lozano: The team have to correct the mistakes we made against Croatia and try to be ourselves and be true to our philosophy. Against Croatia we were not and that meant a draw. On Sunday it will be a completely different game and we look forward to compensating for this bad first game. Let's go for the win.



Courtesy: UEFA.com


Ukraine seek improvement for Belgium decider

Friday 31 January 2014

Yevgen Ivanyak says Ukraine need to "add something more to our game" even though they need only avoid a three-goal loss to Belgium to beat the hosts to the last eight.

by Wayne Harrison & Mikhail Malkin from Antwerp

He kept a clean sheet during Ukraine's 1-0 triumph against Romania and was relatively untroubled throughout, but Yevgen Ivanyak knows his team must up their game when they face Belgium for a place in the UEFA Futsal EURO 2014 quarter-finals.

With Romania through to the last eight despite that defeat, Ukraine take on the hosts for the second qualification place from Group A in a position of superiority. While a point will suffice for them to top the section and set up a knockout date with Portugal or Russia, the Yellow-Blues can also afford anything less than a three-goal reverse against a nation who have not won a game in a continental finals since January 1996.

As healthy as Ukraine's standing is, the Lokomotiv Kharkiv keeper told UEFA.com: "We didn't play very good against Romania, many things didn't work out. We need to add something more to our game. We should play more aggressively and be more focused in defence and attack.

"We felt a high degree of responsibility during our first match; every one of us was too worried. Our nerves didn't let us to show our best quality. I hope that it will be a bit easier against Belgium from this point of view."

He expects the Red Devils to pose a different challenge to Romania. "We watched their first match from the stands. It looked as though they have many players who try more to go one-on-one against their opponents. Moreover, they don't hesitate to shoot from different positions. We should keep our heads up. Also, they have tough and tall players in their squad."

Belgium will be shorn of the man who scored their goal against Romania, Omar Rahou, because of suspension. The most pressing task for coach Alain Dopchie since that opening-day 6-1 loss, a scoreline he felt was "harsh", has been to raise morale. "The disappointment was really acute after the game against Romania," he said.

"That is logical, but I had a good discussion with the players and they are now really keen to play against Ukraine. The atmosphere in our group is really good and I hope that on Saturday we can get a good result."

If the 3,961 fans inside the Lotto Arena did not see the true potential of the Red Devils first up, a meeting with Yevhen Ryvkin's men gives a refreshed side – they played on Tuesday – an opportunity to atone in front of another sell-out crowd.

"Losing to Romania was a big disappointment, but it doesn't change anything for this game. Regardless of the result between Romania and Ukraine, we will play on Saturday with the ambition to win and to show our qualities."






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