Courtesy: UEFA.com


Spain confident for Czech Republic decider

"We are Spain and they should fear us," said Sergio Lozano as the holders contemplated their Group B decider with the Czech Republic, both teams having drawn 3-3 with Croatia.


Saturday 1 February 2014

by Gonzalo Aguado & Paul Saffer from Antwerp

UEFA Futsal EURO holders Spain and the Czech Republic go into their Group B decider on Sunday both keen to improve on 3-3 draws with Croatia.

In each game, Croatia led 2-1 at half-time, went on to trail, but then salvaged a point with a late equaliser from flying goalkeeper Matija Capar. Victory would take either Spain or the Czech Republic through as group winners – and leave the losers out – whereas a draw that is lower scoring than 3-3 would mean second place is decided on Fair Play coefficient.

Spain, aiming for a fifth straight European title, remain favourites to progress but know improvement is needed. "We are still fully confident," coach José Venancio López told UEFA.com. "We will have no margin for error. We are going to correct our mistakes and look to play a great match on Sunday.

"It is better to have some pressure on. That makes us better. We have to convince and put on a great performance. We play the decisive match on Sunday and we can't make more mistakes.

"We are in a good mood. We have a good mentality and we know what we have to do. We know also what we have to alter and we are really motivated. We are playing for the quarter-finals and any opponent is difficult in a one-off match."

Sergio Lozano added: "Spain will aim on Sunday to win by the largest possible goal difference. Our goal is to be first in the group and we do not mind who we face in the quarter-finals. We are Spain and they should fear us. Spain always come to win."

The Czech Republic have lost all their previous meetings with Spain, the most recent also the most important, an 8-1 loss in the 2010 semi-finals. Stalwart Roman Mareš missed that tournament but has plenty of other experience of Spain.

"They are the former world champions and current European champions. It will be hard, but we definitely won't go into the match with a pessimistic spirit," he said. "And we'll definitely enjoy it and do our best to stay here, but it will be hard."

Goalkeeper Libor Gerčák added: "The game begins at 0-0, we will try to win. I remember the match in Debrecen, we lost the semi-final 8-1. Spain are favourites to win the EURO and we can only do our best."






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