Baptistella treble puts Italy on top

Italy will stay in Debrecen for the UEFA European Futsal Championship quarter-finals after beating Ukraine to first place in Group B thanks to a Clayton Baptistella hat-trick.

Ukraine travel
Baptistella converted a first-half free-kick and after Serhiy Cheporniuk's superb equaliser, the No9 struck twice more from distance either side of a Saad Assis effort before Maxym Pavlenko's consolation. Ukraine must now travel to Budapest to take on Group A winners Azerbaijan while 2007 runners-up Italy will face the Czech Republic here.

Italy on top
Cheporniuk threatened early for Ukraine, the prone Alexandre Feller stretching to bat away his chip, but it was Italy who dominated the early exchanges and went ahead just over 12 minutes in. Mykhaylo Romanov, back from suspension, conceded a free-kick on the edge of the Ukraine area and Baptistella's shot sped in via a Yevgen Rogachov deflection. That did not stop Italy pressing, Vinicius Bácaro turning and shooting just wide as the Azzurri maintained control until half-time.

Briefly level
A little more than two minutes after the interval, Cheporniuk equalised in stunning style. Receiving the ball in the centre circle, he weaved past three Italy players before giving Feller no chance with his strike. Italy worked hard to restore their lead and in the 28th minute an Assis corner came deep to Baptistella, whose low drive went in through the legs of goalkeeper Vladyslav Lysenko.

Hat-trick complete
Not long afterwards, Baptistella returned the favour by teeing up Assis; his long shot caught out Lysenko. Assis rattled the crossbar and then fed Baptistella to complete his treble from distance. Pavlenko finished off a neat passing move late on just before Cristian Rizzo was brought on for Italy, becoming the first 18-year-old to take part in a UEFA European Futsal Championship final tournament.