Line-ups and game details on
UEFA.comby
Luca Ranocchiari - Futsalplanet.com editorSerbia vs Italy First chances, missed.Serbia and Italy went to the middle of first half in a goalless score. In the "Belgrade Arena" (Serbian fans dominating the scene, for a total attendance of
3527 people watching) Gabriel Lima immediately realized that
Aksentijevic was back in the goal for Serbia. Then a shining combination by Peric and Rajcevic took to the final touch of
Rakic, out for a matter of centimeters.
Peric is back, Merlim outstandingThe match had two main characters in serbian star
Marko Peric and Italy's
"Babalu" Merlim: some great performances that illuminated the Stozice Arena though not coming to the desired happy ending.
No news at half timeNothing changed till the end of the first half: both teams had chances to break the balance (with special regard to a terrific shot by
Kocic ended on the crossbar) but
Mammarella and
Aksentijevic answered just "no, thanks".
The big war: Aksentijevic vs MerlimItaly started better than Serbia in the second half, with a playing style mainly based on the 1vs1 impressive skills of
Merlim. But the serbian giant in the goal denied an impressive amount of goal attempts, turning into the undisputed protagonist on the blue ground as well as the
man of the match by Futsalplanet.com.
Tomic found the keyThe fifth italian foul by Murilo was fatal to Italy, as on the consequent free kick the first shot by
Kocic was denied, but then
Tomic found the space to defeat
Honorio and
Mammarella defence. Serbia 1, Italy 0.
De Luca, the equalizerItaly was strong enough to react in just two minutes, with
Massimo De Luca scoring in the italian smart throw-in.
Final minutes, definitive tieAn intense atmosphere characterized the last part of the game, as something was going to happen with the score. But it was a day for goalkeepers rather than strikers and the final whistle found Serbia and Italy anchored on the 1-1 draw, with
Ivancic boys forced to wait for the Slovenia vs Italy clash on saturday.
