Group 6: Czechs cash in

The Czech Republic comfortably held off the challenge of Croatia to progress to the 2003 UEFA European Futsal Championship finals.

Dramatic finish
Their progression was sealed with a final-match victory against the Croatians. Going into the game, both sides could claim a place in Italy next February but the Czechs triumphed 4-1, although they were given a scare.

Podrug in front
Ivica Podrug, an impressive performer at the first UEFA Futsal Cup earlier this year, put the Croatians in front on ten minutes, and his side were to hold the lead for another 16 minutes. However, once Roman Mareš had levelled there was only one side in it. The Czechs added two more goals, including another for Mareš, to delight the fans who had come to watch the mini-tournament hosts.

Rajnoch treble

Lino off
Michal Mareš and Tomáš Sluka were the inspiration behind the Czechs making it two wins from two when they took on Bosnia-Herzegovina. Both men scored twice in a comfortable 6-2 triumph. France seemed to have bounced back from their defeat by the Czechs with the opening goal against Croatia when, after 24 minutes without a goal, Mokrane Attal put them in front. However, France then had Gregory Ferreira Lino sent off two minutes later and after that it was all Croatia and they hit four without reply to win 4-1.

Eight-goal thriller
That set up the top-of-the-table decider and also ensured France would meet Bosnia-Herzegovina to decide who finished third. As it was, their meeting ended in a thrilling 4-4 draw which meant the Bosnians finished higher in the standings by virtue of their better goal difference.