Group 4: Slovenia smiling

The Netherlands, who reached the last eight in the 2001 UEFA European Futsal Championship, have fallen at the first hurdle this time around with Slovenia marching through to the finals.

Emphatic victory
Slovenia overcame the Dutch, who were staging the mini-tournament, in emphatic fashion. They booked their place in Italy next February by winning 6-3 against the Netherlands, after both countries had recorded two wins out of two.

Dzafic double
The deciding game had started brightly for the Netherlands. Goals from Antoine Merlino and Moes Rebel put them two-up but. incredibly, Slovenia then scored six goals without reply. They had made it 3-2 by half-time including a double from Senudin Dzafic before three further goals in the second half meant a shock exit for the Netherlands.

Herder hits two
Slovenia had started the mini-tournament by putting six goals without reply past Greece. The Dutch, meanwhile, had triumphed 4-2 against Armenia in their opening game with Robert Herder starting and finishing the scoring for the hosts.

Greece third
Then, in the second group games, Slovenia dismissed Armenia 3-0 and the Netherlands edged past a defiant Greece 5-4, Herder again scoring twice. That set up the dramatic showdown while also leaving Armenia and Greece to battle for third place, a game the Greeks won 6-3.