Fortino scores & Italy go into the final

History repeats itself for the Italian national team as, just like two years ago, it is among the first four continental powers of Europe . At the Sportpaleis in Antwerp, Roberto Menichelli’s men beat Croatia 2-1 and qualified for the semi-finals that are scheduled for Thursday, February 6th at 18.00 (Eurosport 2) against Portugal, who defeated Ukraine 2-1. It all happened in the first half with goals from Sergio Romano and from AGLA-MAN RODOLFO FORTINO, and in between an equaliser by Croatian Jelovcic . The other AGLA players STEFANO MAMMARELLA and ALEX MERLIM took to the field in the starting five with HUMBERTO HONORIO, MARCO ERCOLESSI and MASSIMO DE LUCA also present.

Italy went ahead after less than a minute; Lima shooting and Romano with the rebound, both finding their efforts blocked by the Croatian goalkeeper Jukic, but he could do nothing about the third attempt by Romano. Italy were ahead but the red and whites tied in the 7th minute with an individual play by Jelovcic. In the 10th minute FORTINO appears with a goal that would prove decisive. Vampeta took a kick in and left footed strike by the AGLA-MAN passed between the legs of Jukic and crept into the net. In the second half, the Croats tried to cancel the defecit and in the 14th minute coach Stankovic sent the fly goalkeeper Capar on for Jukic. The red and whites pressed on the accelerator but Italy and MAMMARELLA were able to protect their goal until the final whistle. Next up is the Portuguese.

SCHEDULE

QUARTER-FINALS

Ukraine - Portugal 1-2
Romania- Russia 0-6

ITALY - Croatia 2-1
Slovenia- Spain 0-4

SEMIFINALS

Thursday, February 6th

18.00 Portugal - Italy (Live on Eurosport 2)
20:30 Russia - Spain (Live on Eurosport)

FINAL

Saturday, February 8th

18.00 3rd / 4th place playoff
20:30 1st / 2nd place final

MAMMARELLA spoke to the site of the Italian league at the end of the match. "Hitting the post is part of the game, but today the frame of the goal was our friend. We were also a bit lucky and in the middle of the second half Croatia hit an incredible shot against the post that would have made the scores equal in the match. It is a great feeling to be in the top four, I had a flashback to the European Championship in Croatia. It gives great satisfaction for all the work we do. We deserve it. The final? It depends on how well it goes. You need luck. Portugal is a great team. I’m not saying anything, I'm superstitious!"

These were the impressions of the Azzurri goalscorer FORTINO to www.divisionecalcioa5.it; "We are delighted, we knew that we are a strong and united group. We can win the European Championship. We are again among the top four and, if we play like the last few games, we are among the favourites. At the sound of the final whistle I thought about so many things, it was a beautiful moment . But now we must not reduce our concentration. The Portuguese will be a tough and hard game; They have phenomenal players, we have to be careful from the beginning to the end. For me it was very more important the goal I scored for the team's victory. I dedicate this qualification to my family and many friends who have supported me in the difficult times that followed after the defeat against Slovenia."

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