César Paulo leads Benfica celebrations

SL Benfica were UEFA Futsal Cup runners-up in 2003/04 and their wait to go one better could end in April after they reached the four-team finals at the weekend.

Ekaterinburg pipped
Benfica were beaten by Interviú Madrid over two legs after their excellent run on their competition debut but since then the Portuguese side have fallen short. However, hosting Elite round Group B at their Indoor Pavilhão do SL Benfica, the Eagles went into Sunday's decider against 2007/08 champions MFK Viz-Sinara Ekaterinburg ahead on goals scored and drew 2-2. Their initial lead through Joel Queirós and César Paulo was pegged back, yet the Russian side could not force a winner.

Celebrations
It will be the first time Benfica have been in the finals since the switch to a four-team format in 2006/07, and never before have a Russian club failed to make it. Celebrations were long and loud in Lisbon. "You tell from my croaky voice because I yelled so much," César Paulo told uefa.com. "It was a historic night. We have to thank many people at this successful hour – players, coaches, directors – and also praise Benfica's board in their effort to help the club compete at the top level."

Holding on
The two-goal cushion that César Paulo built up with his 25th-minute goal proved decisive, but only just. "We had a good advantage and we knew that we had to score a third goal," he said. "In the end it was good victory. We were under the cosh in the final moments because they played with the goalkeeper as a forward but we dealt with it perfectly."

Feat
César Paulo's side have until late April to prepare for the finals against Araz Naxçivan, Luparense Calcio A5 and old rivals Interviú. "I think it's great to have Benfica in the final four competing with Europe's best three teams," he said. "It's a great feat for a club like Benfica. And as we are there we will fight to become European champions, that's for sure."