Clinical Italy outclass Belgium

Italy hit Belgium with goals in the opening stages of each half to get their UEFA European Futsal Championship Group B campaign off to a winning start.

Assis double
Runners-up in 2007, Italy justified their pre-match favouritism when Saad Assis scored in the second minute and, after Belgium had rallied impressively, the same player found the target not long after the break, with Luca Ippoliti adding a penalty soon afterwards and Clayton Baptistella striking late on. Belgium, in their first finals since 2003, know a loss to Ukraine on Thursday would mean elimination.

Early goal
For an Italy side deprived of Edgar Bertoni because of a pre-tournament injury, Marcio Forte immediately tested David Morant and on 99 seconds the Belgium goalkeeper was beaten. Baptistella laid the ball back and Assis produced a ferocious shot. Belgium, without Salhi Saad and Jonathan Neukermans through suspension, took five minutes to create their first chance, Yassine Achahbar's strike stinging the hands of Alexandre Feller, who also dived to deny André on two separate occasions.

Belgium respond
Although Italy had most of the play, Belgium allowed relatively few chances as the first period wore on, Vinicius Bácaro coming closest as he shot across the face of goal. In fact, Belgium could have been level at the break but Ahmed Sababti's strike hit the post and Feller tipped over Karim Chaibai's header.

Victory sealed
The Azzurri came out determined to reclaim control and within three minutes were 3-0 up. Assis claimed his second goal in similar style to the first, albeit from an angle, after Baptistella's pass. Then Morant fouled Forte in the box and Ippoliti converted. Patrick Nora twice hit the post and in the 38th minute Baptistella made it four from outside the box. Italy can now hope that by the time they kick off here against Ukraine on Saturday, their progress will be assured.