Revenge sweet for Spain

Just as Russia won the 1999 UEFA European Futsal Championship in Spain, the Spaniards returned the compliment in Moscow two years later.

Spain triumphed 2-1 against Ukraine in the final with a strike from Alberto Riquer cancelling out Georgiy Melnikov's opener and Javi Sánchez striking a golden goal four minutes into extra time. The hosts, beaten by Spain in the semi-finals, restored some pride by defeating Italy by the same score in the third place play-off.

For the second tournament in succession Spain breezed through the group stage without dropping a point. Croatia, Poland and Ukraine were this time their victims, though Ukraine recovered from an opening-day defeat by Spain to reach the semi-final. Italy and Russia advanced from Group B (the Czech Republic and the Netherlands losing out), but neither would last much longer.

Italy, winners of all three group games, drew 3-3 with Ukraine before losing out on penalties, while Spain edged out Russia 2-1 to avenge their final defeat of two years previously. They would go to make up for that disappointment in the final against Ukraine.