Group 3: Spain squeeze into finals

A thrilling final-day match saw defending champions Spain squeeze past Yugoslavia and into the 2003 UEFA European Futsal Championship finals.

Winner takes all
With the winners of the crunch encounter being guaranteed top spot in the mini-tournament and a place in next February's final round, Spain marched into a two-goal lead. Daniel Ibañes Caetano and Javier Orol Sánchez put Spain in command only for Yugoslavia to hit back with goals either side of half-time through Marko Kocic and Igor Cetkovic. In the 28th minute, Yugoslavia took the lead for the first time through Vladan Cvetanovic.

Kike winner
It looked like Spain were heading out of the competition, with the Yugoslavian team, who were hosting the mini-tournament, defending stoutly. However, with five minutes remaining Daniel found an equaliser for Spain. Then, with time running out Enrique Boned Guillot, better known as Kike, struck a dramatic winner for the holders.

Dimic double
Spain and Yugoslavia had been defending 100 per cent records in that decider after two wins out of two. Spain saw off F.Y.R. Macedonia 6-0 in their opening game, Edesio Rodrígues Das Graças scoring twice, while Yugoslavia had a Zoran Dimic double to thank for a 2-0 win against Lithuania.

Minnows meet
It was the same story in the top two teams' next outings. Spain beating Lithuania 5-2 and Yugoslavia defeating F.Y.R. Macedonia 4-1 to set up that dramatic finale. In the academic meeting between the two minnows, the Macedonians beat Lithuania 2-1 thanks to Goran Mitev's winner two minutes from the end.