Palma delight Mallorca with debut Futsal Champions League title

A new name, if not a new nation, joined the UEFA Futsal Champions League roll of honour in the shape of Palma de Mallorca.

Having earned a European debut as Spanish runners-up, Palma made it to the last four along with regulars Sporting CP and Benfica, plus new semi-finalists Sporting Anderlecht Futsal, formerly known as Halle-Gooik and the first Belgian side to get that far since Action 21 Charleroi in 2006/07.

The Velòdrom Illes Balears was packed out, and Palma were to thrill the crowd by claiming the title after two tense games with Portuguese opposition. It was Spain's 12th success in the 22 editions, and their fourth different champion after Playas de Castellón, Inter FS and Barça, whose title defence had been ended on goal difference by Anderlecht in the elite round, after an extraordinary 5-5 draw and an even more tense final day when the holders fell one goal short in a 7-2 defeat of Futsal Pula.

Anderlecht, however, could not repeat their heroics against Sporting in the semis as the Lisbon side surged to a 5-0 lead within seven minutes and ended up winning 7-1. That took Sporting to a record-equalling third straight final, and their sixth in seven years.

Palma were two up in five minutes against Benfica, and led by three at one point, but in the end were relieved to hold on for a 4-3 win. Benfica even had the ball in the net again at the end, but a video check confirmed the shot came after time had expired. In the end, two goals from Hossein Tayebi, a summer mover from Benfica to Palma, were key.

Benfica took bronze for the second year running, though only after withstanding a late comeback from Anderlecht in a game that finished 4-3.

Sporting also ended with the same medal as 2022, silver in their case. Mario Rivillos, previously a winner with Inter FS in a final against Sporting, struck for Palma in the 14th minute after being set up by keeper Luan Muller, but Zicky Té pounced to equalise with under eight minutes left.

Eventually it went to penalties, the first final to do so since 2008. A Muller save from Pany Varela gave Palma the edge and it was Rivillos who was to convert the winning penalty, inflicting two-time champions Sporting's fifth final defeat.

Sporting captain João Matos played his 19th finals game and seventh separate final, having also become the first player to pass 75 competition matches in the semis, but it was a newcomer to UEFA club futsal, Muller, that led the celebrations and was named Player of the Tournament. It was the first ever success in a major European sporting club championship for the island of Mallorca.