Holders through in style

UEFA European Futsal Championship holders Italy needed just two of their three Group 7 games to claim first place and a berth in next year's final tournament in the Czech Republic.

Strong hosts
They began the group in Sarajevo knowing that hosts Bosnia-Herzegovina would prove tough opponents after their fine results in FIFA Futsal World Championship qualifying. And it was no surprise that both won their opening matches.

Favourites win
Italy were first to gain three points, beating F.Y.R. Macedonia 5-0. Fabiano Assad scored a hat-trick as all five goals were claimed before half-time. Bosnia-Herzegovina found things tougher against Poland, and were level at 3-3 with three minutes to go before Dalibor Duvnjak score twice to complete a hat-trick and a 5-3 win.

Italy through
So after F.Y.R. Macedonia and Poland had drawn 1-1 in their second game, the top two met knowing a victory would guarantee first place on head-to-head record. Fernando Grana gave Italy a half-time lead, but Ivo Krezo equalised on 24 minutes. Italy restored their lead after the half-hour through Edgar Rocha Berton and Adriano Fogli then secured a 3-1 win and qualification.

Perfect record
The holders ensured they ended in style as they wrapped up a 100 per cent record with an 11-2 win against Poland. Bosnia-Herzegovina secured second place by beating F.Y.R. Macedonia 8-5, which secured the losing team third spot on goal difference.

'Quality tournament'
After the tournament, Italian coach Alessandro Nuccorini said: "I do not want to pander to the to hosts, but they surprised us a lot. Of course, our victory was never in question, but we just did not secure each it as easily as we thought we would." Fogli added: "This was a quality tournament that spectators could enjoy."

'Succeeded in some ways'
Home coach Muhamed Poricanin said: "We tried to reach first place against the stronger Italian team. I think we succeeded in some ways, but we could not stop the players of Italy on their way to another triumph."