Courtesy: UEFA.com


Russia and Italy gear up for Antwerp final

One of Russia and Italy – the only two teams other than Spain to have won the UEFA Futsal EURO title – will be champions for a second time after they meet at a sold-out Sportpaleis.

Friday 7 February 2014

by Paul Saffer, Mikhail Malkin & Paolo Menicucci from Antwerp

One of Russia and Italy – the only two sides other than Spain to have won the UEFA Futsal EURO title – will be champions for a second time after they meet in Saturday's final at Antwerp's sold-out Sportpaleis.

Russia, victors in 1999 on penalties against Spain, finally beat that nation again on Thursday 4-3 in extra time to make their fifth final. Italy overcame Portugal by the same scoreline and are aiming to match their 2003 home success against Ukraine – 1-0 – in the only previous Spain-free decider.

These teams drew their last encounter 2-2 in the 2012 group stage, Italy having defeated Russia for 2008 FIFA Futsal World Cup third place and in the UEFA Futsal EURO 2007 semi-finals. Russia coach Sergei Skorovich, welcoming back Pula from suspension and Vladislav Shayakhmetov from illness, said: "There are no favourites in this match.

"Italy have had very strong teams in recent years. They have a great spirit, they are well-organised, they are very competent tactically and have some great individuals. They finished third last time, so I'm not surprised by the fact they are in the final."

With 21 goals in four games, including seven by finals leading scorer Eder Lima, Russia have been exciting to watch, their spectacular strikes including a long-range thunderbolt against Spain from Sergei Sergeev. "The atmosphere in the team is great, but we feel a bit tired as we needed to play ten extra minutes yesterday," he said.

"But we will have to do that again if we need to play extra time tomorrow. [Stefano] Mammarella is one of the greatest goalkeepers in the futsal world, but let's see if he can save the type of shot I produced yesterday."

Italy, for whom around 1,500 fans will travel as part of a crowd of more than 13,000, began with a 3-2 loss to Slovenia but have been excellent in dispatching Azerbaijan (7-0), Croatia (2-1) and Portugal (4-3). Mammarella said: "Obviously we are aware that Russia are a great side, one of the best in the world in recent years. They have great players like Pula, Cirilo, Eder Lima, Gustavo, Sergei [Sergeev]. Playing a final is a dream for us and we will give our all to earn a great result tomorrow."

Coach Roberto Menichelli saw his Azzurri side beaten in the semi-finals of UEFA Futsal EURO 2012 and that year's World Cup, and said: "We are probably now more mature, we worked hard more or less with the same squad for a few years while trying to include a few new faces in our group."

Mammarella added: "Our opener [losing to Slovenia] was crucial for us. We understood that you can lose against any team if you don't play with the right spirit and since then we have always played with the right approach."




Courtesy: UEFA.com


Gabriel Lima's Italy player guide

From Robocop and Grumpy to the joker and the sweet-eater, Italy captain Gabriel Lima (who does NOT have big feet) introduces the Azzurri squad that has reached the final.

Friday 7 February 2014

by Gabriel Lima from Antwerp

1 Stefano Mammarella (goalkeeper, Marina CSA)
He is the main exponent of Italian futsal. He has been selected twice as best goalkeeper in the world. He is a calm and humble lad and this is his main strength. Having him defending our goal gives us huge confidence. I'm not sure where his nickname – 'il cucchia' (spoon) – comes from ...

2 Marco Ercolessi (defender, Luparense C/5)
He is known as 'The Nose' to us and I don't think I need to explain this nickname. He is a guy in a great period of form, he won the Scudetto with his team a few months ago. We grew up together with the Under-21 national team and he is giving a lot to Italy in this tournament.

3 Gabriel Lima (defender, ASD Asti C/5)
They used to call me 'Big Feet' but I don't know why – my feet are not big! I'm learning so much in this tournament. It has been an incredible experience regardless of the result of the final. I have learnt a lot about every single team-mate and how to react to difficult moments. Most of all, I have learnt how important work off the pitch is to being successful in a tournament like this.

4 Sergio Romano (defender, Pescara C/5)
His surname say it all. He is Roman born and bred, Italian born and bred. And you can see it from his fighting spirit on the pitch. He recovered from a serious knee injury to be here with us showing great character. He showed the team that when you really want something you can achieve it. He was a good model for the rest of the team.

5 Luca Leggiero (defender, Pescara C/5)
He is probably the most popular player in the team. He is a funny guy and is always ready to joke and accept other people's jokes. 'Capoccia' – for his big head – is great in cementing this group and he is making a great contribution despite playing in a different role than his usual one. He is truly a key player for this squad.

6 Humberto Honorio (forward, Luparense C/5)
He can leave his mark against any opponent at any moment of the game with his talent with both feet. He is also a very calm guy, he does not talk much off the pitch, but on it you can really feel his presence.

7 Massimo De Luca (defender, Real Rieti C/5)
He is a great friend of mine. We have played great games together at Under-21 level, the [UEFA European Under-21 Futsal Tournament] final against Russia in 2008 included. Now we want revenge [for the 5-4 loss in extra time]. I'm very happy for him because he finally played [in the semi-final against Portugal after not appearing in the three previous matches] and 'il piccolo' (the small one) changed the whole game.

8 Vampeta (forward, ASD Asti C/5)
He is a guy I really admire, a real champion who always steps up in big games. He is very experienced. I like playing alongside him a lot because he is very intelligent. Vampeta is already a nickname because it was given to him after Vampeta, a former Inter player. He is a great storyteller! He always has one ready for any occasion, it doesn't matter what we are talking about, he comes up with a new story.

9 Fortino (forward, ASD Asti C/5)
Robocop! He is a special friend of mine. We are often together even away from futsal. He is a religious guy. He doesn't talk too much but has a great spirit. I really like spending time with him, he is a fantastic lad. He loves sweets, I think he eats 20 every day at least ...

10 Merlim (forward, Luparense C/5)
'Babalu', he has had this nickname for a long time, but I don't really know why. His technique is impressive and can always change a game in a fraction of a second. He is Italy's best player in one-to-one situations.

11 Saad Assis (forward, FC Barcelona)
We call him 'Grumpy' like one of the seven dwarves because his face always looks angry. In reality he is a very nice guy and all of us like to spend time with him. He is a real benchmark for us because he has achieved things that all of us dream of reaching some time in our careers.

12 Michele Miarelli (goalkeeper, Real Rieti C/5)
He is the computer genius. He helps to motivate the team with videos, but against Azerbaijan he also proved to be fully ready to play. He has improved drastically in recent years and you can see that also in the Italian league. He has great reflexes.

13 Daniel Giasson (defender, Pescara C/5)
He is a guy who has studied and I like the way he lives his life. He attended university – he is very similar to me in several aspects. He received some bad criticism in Italy ahead of the finals, but he has confirmed all his strength in this tournament. He is proving many critics wrong.

14 Murilo (defender, Marina CSA)
We understood that he was the last person to be included in the squad for the tournament. He is the leading scorer in Italy, he is enjoying a great period of form and playing a great tournament. 'Bellartinho' is giving us great help, especially when we have difficult moments, and he is called to mark our opponents' pivot.

Gabriel Lima was speaking to Paolo Menicucci



Courtesy: UEFA.com


Shayakhmetov's Russia squad guide

Vladislav Shayakhmetov talks UEFA.com through the Russia squad that will play Italy in the final, a 14 that include a workhorse, "one of the best pivots in the world" and a big comedian.

Friday 7 February 2014

by Vladislav Shayakhmetov from Antwerp

1 Ivan Poddubny (MFK Dinamo, goalkeeper)
Our second-choice goalkeeper. He is a modest and family-orientated guy.

2 Vladislav Shayakhmetov (MFK Sinara Ekaterinburg, forward)
I like to spend time with my family. I can't evaluate how I play, people see everything from the sidelines. I play for you, the fans, for my family. We are like actors on set – we try to make a good show for the fans.

3 Nikolai Pereverzev (MFK Tyumen, forward)
He is the back line. He clears ball after ball. There some people who score goals and those who prevent them. He is a true captain. He is worthy of the armband.

4 Dmitri Lyskov (TTG-Ugra Yugorsk, defender)
A hard-working man. He is our workhorse. He is one of the best pivots in Russia. He used to play a lot with [Daniil] Kutuzov.

5 Sergei Sergeev (MFK Dinamo, defender)
The team's engine. He is the man who starts many of our movements and combinations. He does his job very conscientiously. If the coach asks him something we will definitely do it. He has two kids and will have more soon. He is a big professional.

6 Daniil Kutuzov (MFK Dina Moskva, defender)
I don't know him very well. We have played at different clubs, have rarely met in the national team. He is a modest and good man. A good player.

7 Pula (MFK Dinamo, defender)
He is a very cheerful and easy-going person, a very nice man. He scores a lot and brings us luck. He is a professional.

8 Eder Lima (TTG-Ugra Yugorsk, forward)
A nice lad, a goalscorer – a clinical player. He converts his chances very well. If he gets even a small chance he will do this, he will score.

9 Sergei Abramov (MFK Sinara Ekaterinburg, forward)
The youngest in our team and the biggest comedian. He likes to make fun, to joke, but when he gets on the pitch he becomes very serious.

10 Robinho (TTG-Ugra Yugorsk, forward)
His skills are just incredible. He has one of the fastest pairs of legs in our team. I haven't met him often previously and don't know what he does beyond the game. I think his family is one of his main priorities.

11 Cirilo (MFK Dinamo, forward)
One of the best pivots in the world. He can start a joke or laugh at other jokes, but he is the most serious among our Brazilians.

12 Gustavo (MFK Dinamo, goalkeeper)
Our first-choice goalkeeper. The best goalkeeper in the country and one who was named by Futsal Planet as the best in the world in 2013. He spends a lot of time with his family and doesn't show his emotions much.

13 Aleksandr Fukin (MFK Dinamo, forward)
We know each other very well, our families are close. He tries to be with his family as much as possible, at home. He has a son, he was born a little more than a year ago. He is a very masterful player.

14 Ivan Milovanov (MFK Tyumen, defender)
One of our young talents. He is shy and modest, a good player.

Vladislav Shayakhmetov was speaking to Mikhail Malkin




Courtesy: UEFA.com


Eder Lima on goalscoring, Italy and life in Russia

On the eve of Russia's final against Italy, UEFA.com sat down with their seven-goal inspiration Eder Lima to discuss his experience of the tournament and the Azzurri.

Friday 7 February 2014

by Mikhail Malkin from Antwerp

Russia's progress to a fifth UEFA Futsal EURO final, where they play Italy on Saturday, has been spearheaded by Eder Lima.

The 29-year-old has scored a tournament-leading seven goals in Antwerp, including a sensational acrobatic volley against Group B rivals Portugal – an effort that was seen "by the whole world" – and a hat-trick in the last-eight defeat of Romania. UEFA.com caught up with the forward at the team hotel to discuss his goalscoring exploits, how he is enjoying his first experience of this competition and what he makes of showpiece opponents Italy.


UEFA.com: How are you finding your first Futsal EURO?
Eder Lima: It is a great tournament, the same as the [FIFA] Futsal World Cup. The only difference is that we don't have Brazil, Paraguay and Argentina here, but the level of futsal is the same. We have beaten Spain and while that was very nice, we haven't won the championship yet. We have one more match and we need to be fully focused.


UEFA.com: Was the 4-3 semi-final win against Spain one of the best moments of your career?
Eder Lima: Yes, no doubt. Spain are very strong. I have played futsal for many years but have never seen a team who play as well as they do. Everything works well in their team. Spain think a lot and deliver smart performances. They have the strongest national team in the world but we still managed to win. We had the right mentalilty, each of us never stopped fighting. We gave 200% effort in defence, not 100. Meanwhile, we needed to take our chances – and we did so.


UEFA.com: What are your views on Italy?
Eder Lima: They have a good team as well. They lost their first match here [3-2 to Slovenia], but since then they have been superb. They fight like dogs, but if we manage to play as we did in the semi-finals they won't have many chances. I have spoken with some of the Italian Brazilians. We congratulated each other but didn't discuss the final or any other matches.


UEFA.com: You must be pleased with your haul of seven goals in the tournament?
Eder Lima: To be honest, it's not that important if I score or not – the main thing is to win the trophy. I was the top goalscorer at the 2012 Futsal World Cup with nine goals, but so what? It's meaningless. Anyway, we went home after the quarter-finals. I have been the best goalscorer in the Russian league, but we [TTG-Ugra Yugorsk] haven't won the title, only the Russian cup.


UEFA.com: But still, which of your goals here is your favourite?
Eder Lima: The one I scored against Portugal. This goal was seen by the whole world, it was shown on every TV screen. I have never seen anything like this goal. Nobody has scored in such a way, even the legendary Brazilian Falcão. My friends tried to find something on the internet, but even then there is nothing like the goal I scored. However, I don't think I'm a celebrity now. I'm just a normal guy.


UEFA.com: You have lived in Russia for the last eight years. Can you tell us about this experience?
Eder Lima: I live in Moscow and feel great there. I've adapted very well to the city. I know where the good restaurants are, I know where the best places to walk with my family are. When we go to play matches in Siberia I feel good as well. There is amazing scenery. I like to play in Russia. Brazil and Spain have very good leagues as well, but the Russian league is the best in the world.




Courtesy: UEFA.com


De Luca taking Italy opportunity

Italy's Massimo De Luca had not played in Antwerp until his inspirational second-half display against Portugal – now he wants to prove himself again and "settle a score" with Russia.

Friday 7 February 2014

by Paolo Menicucci from Antwerp

If anyone symbolises Italy's run to Saturday's UEFA Futsal EURO 2014 final it is Massimo De Luca.

The Real Rieti C/5 man had not played a single minute in Antwerp until Thursday's semi-final against Portugal. His contribution in the 4-3 success that set up a decider with Russia was universally praised as showing how deep Italy's squad and team spirit runs.

"I had a few difficult days as I was the only player always kept on the bench, but my team-mates continued to support me," De Luca told UEFA.com. "I was a bit angry, but I was just waiting for my moment to come. The coach gave me a chance against Portugal and I think I did enough to repay him."

The 26-year-old from Naples nearly scored in the second half when he hit a post with a low strike. "I have been thinking about that shot a lot," he said. "It would have been just perfect to come in and score immediately. But it's fine, it means I saved one goal for the final.

"I'm very happy about my debut in the tournament because I did well, but mostly because we won and reached the final," he continued. "There is not an individual player above the others in this squad – we are very united, this our main strength. It was my best day so far with the national team, the most exciting for sure, even if I hope that tomorrow will be even better."

If they want a second European crown, Italy will have to beat a Russia side fresh from ending Spain's nine-year reign. "I watched the other semi-final, Russia and Spain are two fantastic teams," he said. "Russia have great players, it would not be fair to name just one. Eder Lima, Cirilo, Gustavo, [Aleksandr] Fukin. I could name many of them. They are a great team made of great players."

De Luca, however, will have an extra motivation on Saturday as he was the captain of the Italy squad defeated 5-4 by Russia after extra time in the final of the 2008 UEFA European Under-21 Futsal Tournament in St Petersburg – four of the current Azzurri squad and three of their opponents are in Belgium. "Some of my team-mates and I have a score to settle against Russia," De Luca said. "We want revenge after that final.

"I still remember that final with a bitter taste in my mouth. We did not deserve to lose. Unfortunately, we lost, but let's focus on tomorrow's game, which is even more important. We want to win, it's an opportunity we don't want to miss. Sport is great because it often gives you a second chance."

Considering how De Luca grabbed with both hands the opportunity he had against Portugal, Russia had better be careful.






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