Neighbours keep calm on derby day

Ukraine and Russia may be playing down their rivaly ahead of Monday's UEFA European Futsal Championship Group B encounter, but the stakes in the 'Slavic Derby' in Gondomar are especially high.

Contrasting fortunes
Russia, having kicked off the tournament with a 5-3 victory against Serbia, are attempting to make it nine wins from eleven meetings with their neighbours. If successful, they will book their progress provided holders Spain then avoid defeat by Serbia. However, Ukraine beat Russia in the last futsal finals in Ostrava and, following a 6-2 reverse against Spain, motivation is high. Coach Gennadiy Lysenchuk says they have their "backs against the wall".

Nerves settled
Runners-up in 2005, Russia are without Marat Azizov, serving the second match of a suspension, and they did not have things their own way against Serbia as a two-goal lead evaporated into a 3-3 scoreline. Yet Vladislav Shayakhmetov, who clinched victory with Russia's fifth goal on Saturday, says their confidence has been boosted. "That was the first match and there were some nerves," he told uefa.com. "A few of the players made their European Championship debuts but we settled down. It's always great to get a victory."

Not a derby?
But is there any extra edge given the identity of the opposition? "No, it's not really a derby," Shayakhmetov insisted. "We just have to go out there and win. I don't consider Ukraine special opponents. Opponents are opponents, no matter who they are."

Spain reverse
Meanwhile, Lysenchuk is trying to restore the morale of his side after they caused serious problems for Spain before eventually succumbing 6-2 on Saturday. "We played the world and European champions and it's no shame to lose to them. We had a moment at 2-2 when we could have scored a third goal and gone on to win. But our young players could not pull it off."

'Tough match'
Lysenchuk has led Ukraine through their difficult run of results against Russia, and admits this is not the team he would have wanted to face in this situation. "There is no doubt it will be a very tough match, especially against opponents as strong as Russia," he said. "But we have our backs against the wall. We need only victory, and we will do whatever it takes to get it. I think this is what will eventually happen. We will review Russia's match against Serbia to see what kind of mistakes they commit and what are their strengths. We will try not to concede soft goals. We need to score one goal more and to win."