Ricardinho helps Inter secure Spanish futsal title

Inter FS will have another chance to win a record fourth UEFA Futsal Cup next season after beating Murcia FS 3-1 in the five-game Spanish league play-off final series to retain the title.

The Madrid side had topped the regular season table and eliminated Peñíscola FS and then Palma FS to get to the final. Murcia, meanwhile, had finished third but after knocking out Ribera Navarra saw off FC Barcelona in the semis – meaning the Blaugrana's run of reaching the UEFA Futsal Cup finals four years running, winning twice, is over.

A year ago Inter beat Murcia in three matches to clinch the championship and they looked on course again after the opening, home game which they won 7-3 with five Ricardinho goals. However, Murcia then levelled the series – as 5-1 victors – ahead of their two home fixtures.

But it was in Murcia that Inter took control of the series. They triumphed 3-0 on Saturday and then two days later, despite trailing 4-1, prevailed 5-4 thanks to two Ricardinho strikes in the closing minutes.

Inter coach Jesús Velasco, whose team are the first to win ten Spanish titles and will attempt to add to their 2004, 2006 and 2009 UEFA Futsal Cup successes next season, said: "I'm delighted for the group, for everyone. We have played brilliantly against a great side who we must congratulate on the final they played. I think the key to this final was the third game, but as I said, it's not easy to beat Murcia."