Czech spirit earns 'huge, huge victory'

The Czech Republic are making a habit of dramatic wins in the UEFA European Futsal Championship, having qualified with two last-minute goals against Croatia then come back from 4-0 down to pip hosts Hungary 6-5 in the group stage. They did it again in Monday's quarter-final, twice coming from behind to beat Italy on penalties, prevailing in the shoot-out thanks to three Libor Gerčák saves.

'Huge victory'
Coach Tomáš Neumann was understandably thrilled to put out the runners-up from the 2007 finals and earn a plum last-four tie on Thursday. "It's a huge, huge victory for us," he said. "And it's a great chance as well. We enjoyed the game and we will also enjoy the semi-final. We know Russia or Spain will be favourites, but we will play and we will want to win."

Goalkeeping decision
Neumann sprung a surprise by bringing in Gerčák rather than the regular choice up to now, Tomáš Meller. "We don't have a No1 goalkeeper," the coach said. "We have two similar goalkeepers. In the two previous games, one of them got a chance and now we changed it." He also opted, unusually, to deploy a flying goalkeeper at 3-3. "There was a lot of pressure on us," Neumann explained. "We wanted to even things up to get the ball and hold it and create chances. And that's what we did."

No pressure
Just as in the comeback against Hungary, David Frič was the stand-in keeper. "I hoped we would do it," he said. "Against Hungary when we did it we scored six goals in 15 minutes, so why not?" Frič also converted the winning penalty, and suggested that his side's underdog status was an advantage. "Italy played as if they had to win, while we just relaxed and that's how we were able to turn the game," he added. "All team sports are about team spirit. We are not stars, we are a team. Fourteen players all the same, that is team spirit for me."

Italy exit
Italy were certainly favourites before the game after their comfortable wins in group stage, but instead they have failed to make the top four for the first time. "We lacked the shape and the belief that we had against Belgium and Ukraine," said Azzurri coach Roberto Menichelli. "Credit to our opponents: after their comeback against Hungary, they demonstrated their character again, to overcome the difficulties Italy created. It's a shame to go out on penalties, we didn't take them well. Therefore it is also right that the match ended this way."