Courtesy: Romford Recorder


Futsal youngsters complete their Italian job in style

12 November 2016

by Dave Evans

Havering-based youngsters show their skills on the Continent in futsal tournament

Havering-based FINTA Futsal youngsters rubbed shoulders with the cream of the Italian teams after they were invited to the prestigious Quandrangolare Internazionale Asti Cup in Turin.

The club entered teams from their 2005 and 2008 age groups and they proved to be a great success as they claimed one winners and one runners-up trophy in the competition.

Their time in Italy proved an excellent experience with futsal workshops, mixed nationality training sessions incorporating friendly match, before a tournament finale on the final day.

There was also time to attend the San Siro stadium tour and watch Juventus thump Sampdoria 4-1.

The standard of the north Italian teams was very high, including professional football clubs and professional teams like Torino as well as Juventus development squad.

But it didn’t stop FINTA’s 2005 team getting off to a great start in a friendly with Asti as they secured an 8-2 win, while the 2005 boys thumped the same club 12-0.

On the day of the tournament it proved to be much more competitive, but the 2008 boys had a fantastic time in the group, winning all their games to make the final, only to lose out to Torino in the big one.

Coach Diego Pagliusio was delighted with the youngsters. “This was a fantastic experience for the boys and I am extremely proud of them all to be runners-up.

“They showed great desire especially to come back from 3-1 down to win 4-3 with just seven seconds left against Alessandria. Their second half performance against Torino was also outstanding.”

The boys of 2005 went one step further, winning all their group matches to book a place in the final against Alessandria where they stormed to a 3-1 victory to take the trophy.

Pagliusio added: “Their passion, hunger and desire, coupled with their technical ability and tactical astuteness shone through. I don’t think anyone would have beaten us in that final in that kind of mood.”

Futsal is big in Italy, but they were surprised by the standard of the FINTA boys from England.

FINTA futsal provide coaching at both Sacred Heart School in Upminster and Emerson Park School in Hornchurch.. They play other academies and the Futsal Premier League for under-14s, under-12s and under-10s kicks off this weekend.

Futsal is one of the fastest growing sports in the world, and provides many benefits to football players as well which are there to be seen.

FINTA are a family club and fully inclusive with girls and boys teams and there is always a strong element of fun.

2008 runners-up: George Howard, Harrison Palmer, Freddie Strang, Teddy Woodlard, Reggie Franz,

Max Strang, Charlie McCormick, Zachary McMahon and Rico Pagliusio.

2005 winners: Top Jack Barnes, Zafar Ghafar, Harry Gibbons, Frankie Franz, Diego (coach) Bottom- Louie Cole, Harrison McMahon, Fletcher Hubbard, Henry Lynch.



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