Group 5: Portugal power through

Portugal strode into the 2003 UEFA European Futsal Championship finals with three wins out of three.

Main challengers
The Portuguese, who were hosting the four-team mini-tournament, started as they meant to go on with a 5-0 victory against Azerbaijan. Their hold over the group was strengthened as Belarus, expected to be their main challengers for a place at the finals in Italy next February, were held to a 2-2 draw by Georgia. Ilya Huryn scored twice for Belarus.

Queirós hits four
Portugal then dismissed Georgia with a 11-0 demolition, with four goals being scored by the in-form Joel Ricardo Ribeiro Queirós. Belarus found their form with a 3-1 victory against Azerbaijan that included a Serguei Lagoutko double.

Perfect start
That point meant Belarus could still pip Portugal to top spot with a victory in the final group game between the two sides. Uladzimir Levus gave the Belarussians the perfect start with a goal after just seven minutes only for Ribeiro to level for Portugal five minutes later.

Brave Belarus
Portugal then took the lead for the first time and were in front 2-1 at the break, only for Belarus to come back fighting in the second half. After an equaliser, Aliaksandr Chernik put the Belarussians in front. However, with five minutes to play Ivan Almeida Dias equalised to seemingly give Portugal the draw they needed. To the delight of their home fans, Pedro Alexandre Silva Da Costa then ensured a 4-3 win with a goal right at the death.