Charleroi ready for third final

By Paul Saffer

Having missed out on the UEFA Futsal Cup final for the first time last season, Action 21 Charleroi were determined to return to the showpiece this time around.

Fifth title
Perhaps boosted by the absence of their nemeses in the first two deciders, Playas de Castellón FS, as well as the side that pipped them in the 2003/04 second qualifying round, SL Benfica, Charleroi ended this season's competition with their fifth straight Belgian title under their belt.

Same story
The Brazilian-dominated team have won all their previous first qualifying round games in previous years, last season striking 66 goals in their mini-tournament. And it was the same story this time in Group 5 in Romania. First Finland's Ilves FS were defeated 8-0, Leo and Lúcio Rosa each scoring twice. Then FK Inkaras of Lithuania fell by an 11-0 margin, Alex and Julien Pauly claiming hat-tricks.

Tougher prospect
Home team FC Bodu Bucuresti had also won their opening games, and proved a tougher proposition in the decider. It was 6-1 at half-time, Leo striking a treble, but a late Bodu fightback made the final score 9-4.

Holders next
However, with the draw for the second stage made at the same time as the first, Charleroi knew they now had to tackle Spanish holders Boomerang Interviú FS as well as Benfica's successors as Portuguese champions Sporting Clube de Portugal and Slovenian side KMN Litija.

Exciting game
Still, Charleroi were named as hosts for Group A, having had to travel to Lisbon to play in Benfica's group last year. And in their opening game this time Charleroi overcame opposition from the Portuguese capital, winning an exciting game 7-4 against Sporting.

Eder hat-trick
Davi's opener was swiftly cancelled out in the ninth minute by Sporting's Deo, but in the following six minutes Robinho, Alex and Eder made it 4-1 to Charleroi before Paulinho's free-kick cut the deficit to two just before half-time. Andre struck on 27 minutes for Charleroi, but João Marcal and Gonçalo Alves then reduced the lead to 5-4 before Eder struck twice more to complete a vital hat-trick. Paulinho was sent off late on.

Superior goals
A day later, Charleroi defeated Litija 3-1. Alex's early goal was matched by Litija's Slaviša Goranovic, only for Lúcio Rosa to score twice before half-time. Although Boomerang had also won their two opening games, Charleroi's goal difference was superior meaning they only had to draw their decider with the reigning champions.

Sending off
That was just as well. With 6,500 fervent supporters inside their Spiroudôme, Charleroi were boosted four minutes in when Schumacher, so crucial to Boomerang's triumph last season, was sent off. However, Charleroi goalkeeper Fehrmann and his Boomerang counterpart Luis Amado were on top, and with eight minutes left the game was still scoreless.

Fans happy
Then, to the delight of the home crowd, Kelsen beat Amado to put Charleroi ahead. Boomerang lived up to their name, though, as they came back with a vengeance. Luis hit the post, Neto equalised four minutes after the goal, and with barely a minute left Gabriel gave Boomerang what looked a decisive lead.

Sixth goal
At that point, Charleroi coach Sergio Benatti withdrew Fehrmann and sent on Davi as a fifth attacker. The gamble paid off, as just 22 seconds were remaining when Lúcio Rosa made it 2-2 with his sixth goal of the tournament to send the Spiroudôme into raptures.