Portugal retain title in expanded finals

It was all change for UEFA Futsal EURO 2022 from the previous edition in 2018.

Firstly, as the dates imply, the tournament was now to be played every four years. That was to allow both an expansion of the finals to 16 teams, home-and-away group qualifying for the first time and new women's and Under-19 events.

The Netherlands were the hosts in Amsterdam and Groningen, and the expanded qualifying meant that four nations were able to earn debuts: Bosnia and Herzegovina, Finland, Georgia and Slovakia. They were all to prove more than worthy.

While the tournament was able to happen on schedule despite the COVID-19 pandemic, restrictions in the Netherlands in January and February 2022 meant that, just as most of qualifying, the bulk of the group stage was played behind closed doors, with only limited attendances allowed after that.

However, there was drama from the off. In Group A, holders Portugal were soon 2-0 down to Serbia but won 4-2 and ended on nine points to begin their first tournament without Ricardinho, who had retired from the international game following their 2021 FIFA Futsal World Cup triumph. The Netherlands beat Ukraine and when two up against Serbia on the final day seemed set for progress. But Serbia recovered to win 3-2, meaning Ukraine went through on three-way head-to-head goal difference.

In Group B there were also plenty of twists and though at the end Kazakhstan, as expected, were top, to the surprise of many Finland finished ahead of Slovenia and Italy. Russia comfortably won Group C and Slovakia, by holding Poland and beating Croatia, emulated Finland by progressing on debut.

Georgia only needed two matches to book a quarter-final on their bow, beating Azerbaijan and Bosnia and Herzegovina. Spain took first place, though, defeating Georgia 8-0.

All three debutant quarter-finalists were to go out in the last eight, Finland pipped 3-2 by Portugal, Georgia losing 3-1 against Russia and Slovakia falling 5-1 to Spain. But Ukraine did provide an upset, defeating Kazakhstan 5-3.

Ukraine's run ended in the last four as they lost 3-2 to Russia and it was also the same scoreline in the other semi-final, Spain going two up against Portugal, who roared back thanks to Zicky's late double. Spain did take third place 4-1 against Ukraine.

Portugal had twice come back from two down to win in these finals, and had also done so against Spain in the World Cup quarter-finals. Incredibly it happened again in the EURO final, Anton Sokolov and Andrei Afanasyev giving Russia a 2-0 lead as they sought a first title since 1999, but Tomás Paçó pulling one back, André Coelho striking twice and Pany Varela sealing a 4-2 victory.

Zicky, so influential in those semi and final comebacks for Jorge Braz's side, was named Player of the Tournament, and said: "It's hard to put in words what I'm feeling right now and all I can say is that I'm in heaven! I'm so proud of this team and I want to thank every single person who helped us to reach this moment." Ricardinho, watching from the stands in Amsterdam, descended to congratulate those who had kept Portugal on top.