Futsal rivals aim for famous first

Newcomers
Kairat, who previously reached the semi-finals in 2006, would be the first team from Kazakhstan ever to make it so far in a UEFA competition. Meanwhile, their opponents in the opening game of the final four event at the Krylatskoe Sport Palace, Ekaterinburg, are on their debut European campaign. In fact they have never won the Russian league title but were given a passport to this competition by their national champions MFK Dinamo Moskva, who are hosting this tournament, after winning last season's UEFA Futsal Cup.

Homegrown talent
Whereas Kairat last week retained the Kazakh league crown with an 11-4 play-off victory against Aktobe BTA, Ekaterinburg drew and lost at MFK CSKA Moskva to fall 21 points adrift of Dinamo. However, Viz coach Sergei Skorovich has a fully-fit squad of largely domestic talent, and believes they can take their run further. "There are many Brazilians at Dinamo, Kairat and [ElPozo] Murcia [FS]," Skorovich told uefa.com. "While we are a homegrown side that will battle and try to do well with our own troops at such a high level. It is a noble deed but I would prefer it to produce big results as well."

Unbowed
Ekaterinburg may not have the UEFA competition experience of the other finalists, but the presence of experienced Russian internationals including goalkeeper Sergei Zuev, Vladislav Shayakhmetov and Damir Khamadiev means that Skorovich is unbowed as he mulls over his final words before kick-off. "I will just have to look them in the eyes," he said. "We are a professional team. Some of them understand perfectly that they will not have another chance to get such a generous gift from Dinamo. We have reached the final four and we should not stop now."

Absentees

Ekaterinburg ability
He is able to call on the experienced Pica Pau, who missed the Elite round, but warned: "We know Viz have quality players like Shayakhmetov and Khamadiev, but their strongest side is their common understanding on the pitch. However, they have individual class too. Viz defend and counterattack very well. They are also dangerous on dead balls so we have to treat them very seriously."

Nerves
Nerves are therefore inevitable, though Alesio is not concerned by that. "I can feel some uneasiness among the players but it is only because they are eager for the games to start at last," the Brazilian said. "Some of them have never played in the UEFA Futsal Cup at such a stage but that is OK, nothing to worry about."