Italy stutter, and AGLA-MAN Fortino scores

The hurt for the European Championship finals has begun for the Italian national futsal team. At the Lotto Arena in Antwerp, the Blues were beaten 3-2 by Slovenia in their opening game of Group C. Now the contest on Sunday, 2 February against Azerbaijan (18.30, live on Eurosport TV) becomes crucial and tonight ( Friday, January 31 ) Azerbaijan faces Slovenia at 20.45 .

Against the Slovenians, coach Roberto Menichelli selected two AGLA-MEN in the starting lineup; STEFANO MAMMARELLA between the posts and ALEX MERLIM. But to open the scoring for the Italians was RODOLFO FORTINO to make it 1-1 in the fourth minute of the second half, with a perfect set play from a corner. The whites of Dobovicnik had taken the lead in eleventh minute of the first half with a left footed strike from Vrhovec. In the second half, after the Fortino goal, the Slovenians regained the lead with a goal from Cujec. The goalscorer of New Team FVG scored from a difficult angle with a rocket. In the seventeenth minute Menichelli opted to use Lima as a fly goalkeeper. However in the 19th minute, Osredkar scored into the empty net to make it 3-1. The ball, however, seemed to have crossed the side line. In the thirty first minute Saad reduces the difference with a powerful left foot strike, but the comeback didn’t happen.

RESULTS AND STANDINGS
(teams with an asterisk teams are already qualified)

GROUP A:
Belgium - Romania 1-6, Romania - Ukraine 0-1
STANDINGS: * Romania , Ukraine 3 points, Belgium 0 .

GROUP B:
Russia - Netherlands 7-1, Netherlands - Portugal 0-5
RANKING: Russia * , Portugal * 3 points, Netherlands 0

Group C:
Italy -Slovenia 2-3
RANKING : 3 Slovenia , Azerbaijan and Italy 0

GROUP D:
Spain - Croatia 3-3
RANKING : Spain, Croatia 1 point , Czech Republic 0

SCHEDULE

Friday, January 31st

GROUP D: Croatia - Czech Republic (18.30, live tv Reuters)
GROUP C: Azerbaijan - Slovenia (20.45, live on TV Eurosport 2)

Saturday, February 1st

GROUP B: Portugal - Russia (18:30, live tv Reuters)
GROUP A: Ukraine - Belgium (20.45, live on TV Eurosport 2)

Sunday, February 2nd

GROUP C: Azerbaijan - ITALY (18.30, live on Eurosport TV)
GROUP D: Czech Republic - Spain (20.45, live on TV on Eurosport 2)

Here are the reflections of MAMMARELLA to the site www.divisionecalcioa5.it : "We went on court to play our game, but unfortunately we didn’t . They were physically strong, they were okay. Unfortunately it all went wrong, we were not able to express our game as we expected and we were never able to take the lead. We went behind and then it is always difficult to get back into the game against an opponent that stays back and defends very well. Now we will examine the errors against Slovenia and erase them against Azerbaijan, we need must get a result. Otherwise there is no future for us in the tournament. We need to change our mentality, but we know that they are not a limited side. Spain drew with Croatia. It will be a difficult EURO for everyone. "

These are the comments of the other AGLA-MAN MARCO ERCOLESSI to the Italian federation website: "I think today we have not functioned well, in the sense that we have neither played nor fought like Italy should. Today is like we haven’t been on court, certainly in the next game we have to redeem these qualities. Teams are growing, they do not allow you play and we allowed Slovenia to play to its strengths. Against Azerbaijan we have to redeem ourselves. This must be done for the shirt and for all those who follow and support us.

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Posted by Mico Martic --> mico.martic@futsalplanet.com