Baku, Bielsko-Biała and Zelezarec progress
Saturday, August 30, 2014
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A comeback for Baku United FC, a last-gasp winner for Rekord Bielsko-Biała and KMF Zelezarec Skopje's two-man show ensured the trio reached the main round.
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Baku United FC, Rekord Bielsko-Biała and KMF Zelezarec Skopje clinched their UEFA Futsal Cup main round berths on the penultimate day of preliminary round action.
• Hovocubo, APOEL Nicosia FC, FC Stalitsa Minsk and MNK Alumnus Zagreb previously won their sections while Group H completes the round on Sunday. The group winners progress to the main round for which the draw is already made.
Group B
Baku United FC 6-3 MNK Centar Sarajevo
Hosts and debutants Centar needed to beat London's Baku, who reached the main round last year, and two goals in two minutes had Centar dreaming of doing just that. As the match wore on, Baku's quality came to the fore, and a hat-trick for Carlos Munoz Delgado pulled Chema Jiménez's side out of their predicament.
• In the main round, Baku travel to Serbia to play hosts KMF Ekonomac Kragujevac, Luparense C/5 and Athina '90.
Gibraltar Scorpions FC 4-4 Malmö City FC
Gibraltar captain Popo scored all four goals for Gibraltar Scorpions as they and Malmö – both already eliminated – picked up their first points of the preliminary round.
Group C
FS Ilves Tampere 1-2 Rekord Bielsko-Biała
Hosts Rekord needed to beat Ilves to progress and they did just that, Radek Polasek firing the winner two seconds from time. Rekord had trailed Ilves after Juhana Jyrkiäinen's neat opener, but Andrzej Szłapa cancelled it out and the flying keeper proved ultimately decisive in the final three minutes.
• In the main round, Rekord face tournament ever-presents Iberia Star Tbilisi, hosts FK Nikars Riga and the Group H winners.
FK Lokomotyvas Radviliškis 10-2 Perth Saltires
Both teams were already out, but the Lithuanian outfit ended on a high thanks in part to a hat-trick from Donatas Šegžda.
Group D
KF Flamurtari Vlorë 3-3 FC Aznhi Tallinn
Both teams were already eliminated but played out an entertaining game nonetheless. Though Anzhi took a two-goal lead, Flamurtari drew level through Fatjon Koçiraj. Anzhi again went ahead, but Flamurtari once more restored parity before missing a late penalty.
NAFI Stuttgart 1-10 APOEL Nicosia FC
APOEL were already through but finished this particular mini-tournament in style. Léo Feitoza was the star of the show, scoring twice and tormenting Stuttgart throughout.
• In the main round, APOEL travel to Hungary to play Slov-Matic Bratislava, hosts MVFC Berettjóújfalu and Vegakameratene.
Group E
Talgrig Yerevan 9-1 FC Encamp
Having both lost to FC Stalitsa Minsk, these sides were already out. The Armenian champions showed their class against Encamp, seizing control with five first-half goals. Grigor Kapukranyan and Shota Tophuria did the damage for Talgrig, each grabbing a hat-trick.
FC Stalitsa Minsk 12-3 Futsal Schwaz
Debutants Stalitsa had already ensured progress on Thursday and dominated the Austrian hosts from the outset. Schwaz were blown away by eight different scorers, led by hat-trick hero Vladimir Zhdanovich.
Group G
KMF Zelezarec Skopje 4-1 FC Agama Podgorica
At kick-off, Zelezarec led their Montenegrin hosts on goal difference but can now not be caught at the summit after a comfortable win. Marko Novaković and Darko Rangotov both scored twice.
• In the main round, Zelezarec and Stalitsa will face Czech hosts FK EP Chrudim and Sporting Club de Paris.
Group H
FC Progress Chisinau 4-1 Uni Futsal Bulle
Progress started their campaign on Friday by drawing 2-2 against hosts FC Grand Pro Varna, having led with 63 second left, and against the Swiss champions they won comfortably to assume a dominant position in the section. Varna need a sizeable victory against Bulle on Sunday to knock Chisinau off top spot.
Reporters: Danilo Mitrović, Rok Šinkovc, Kacper Zieliński, Jasmin Ligata, John Leonidou and Fedja Krvavac.