Montesilvano crowned Futsal Cup champions

ASD Città di Montesilvano C/5 is the new name on the UEFA Futsal Cup after the Italian tournament debutants beat their fellow first-time finalist Sporting Clube de Portugal 5-2 in Sunday's final in Almaty, Kazakhstan.

Having eliminated holders SL Benfica in the semi-finals, Fulvio Colini's men turned their weapons of dogged defending and clinical finishing on to a second Lisbon team. Goals from Hernan Garcias, Adriano Foglia (2), Fabricio Calderolli and Leandro Cuzzolino meant Leitão's late double for Sporting made no impression on the result at the Baluan Sholak Sport Palace.

Perhaps it was down to the long injury absence from which he returned in the semi-final but Sporting left Garcias unmarked to ghost in and convert Marcio Forte's corner for the opener. Even before the goal, Sporting had rattled the post through Pedro Cary; after it, Alex's turn and volley deserved marks for artistic merit.

That was no consolation when Montesilvano made it 2-0. Foglia just about had the finish to match his surge upfield, his shot trickling apologetically over the line via Cristiano's hand. Foglia's next strike was more pronounced, low and precise into the bottom right corner. All the while, Sporting's near misses were taking them further away from their first futsal title.

It was a telling vignette when, after Leitão's effort was cleared off the line, the side from the Italian Adriatic almost added a fourth through Fabricio Calderolli. The latter player did exactly that on the stroke of half-time, finishing smartly from Garcias's assist.

More Sporting possession marked the start of the second half, and with it more frustration. Montesilvano keeper Stefano Mammarella did sterling work denying the likes of Déo, Caio Japa and Derlei – when, that is, they found a way through the massed ranks in front of him.

The reigning Italian champions also had the unerring knack of picking opposition pockets and coming away with the ball. Hence they spurned clear chances on the break, notably through Cristian Borruto and captain Forte, before Cuzzolino – who also struck against Benfica in the semis – crashed in a penalty given for Marcelo Silva's foul on Borruto.

It was at this point, with Sporting keeper Cristiano pushed as far forward as possible, that a fissure appeared in the Montesilvano wall and Leitão found a way through twice, first with a shot then with a header. There would be no wider escape route for Orlando Duarte's team, however, even though Cristiano and Divanei tested the woodwork during Sporting's late siege.