Russia edge hosts for futsal bronze

Vladislav Shayakhmetov's goal moments after a Portugal equaliser gave Russia third place in the UEFA European Futsal Championship.

Russian medal
The hosts led through Gonçalo but Cirilo and Aleksandr Fukin put Russia ahead by half-time. Leitão seemed to have forced a penalty shoot-out, but Shayakhmetov had other ideas and Russia maintain their record of only once missing out on a medal in this tournament.

Portugal ahead
Both teams were clearly keen on ending their tournament on a high in a competitive start with both goalkeepers called into action several times in the first few minutes. Midway through the half Israel hit the post for Portugal after an excellent Leitão cross and not long after Arnaldo struck the crossbar. And the hosts went ahead in the 15th minute when Sergei Zuev blocked an Arnaldo effort only for the ball to bounce back off the goalkeeper to the grateful Gonçalo in front of goal.

Turnaround
Cirilo soon equalised, taking his tournament tally to a joint finals-leading five when Konstantin Maevski robbed Ricardinho in the Russia half and strode to the other end before crossing to his Brazilian-born team-mate to score. Within 30 seconds Russia went ahead though Fukin's fine run and powerful shot.

Revival thwarted
Portugal emerged for the second half in determined mood but it took 15 minutes for them finally to beat Zuev again, Leitão applying a neat finish. But within a minute Konstantin Dushkevich's shot was blocked by Ricardinho and Shayakhmetov pounced to turn in the rebound. He hit the post near the end but victory was complete.