Bordignon books Italy's final berth
Friday 12 December 2008
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Andrei Bordignon (centre) enjoys his winner against Spain with Italy team-mates Wellington Coco (left) and Gabriel Lima (©sportsfile)
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Italy are through to Sunday's UEFA European Under-21 Futsal Tournament final after Andrei Bordignon's first-half goal proved enough to eliminate Spain.
Superb defending
Having been the outstanding team in the group stage, Spain found themselves given little room by their hard-working opponents. Italy conceded first in all their previous matches in St Petersburg but opened the scoring today not long before the break and, just like their senior side in their 2-0 semi-final defeat of Russia in last year's UEFA European Futsal Championship, defended superbly. They now play hosts Russia, with who they drew 2-2 in the group stage on Wednesday.
Early save
Urged on by assistant coach Giorgio Zito, in charge of Italy today due to Paolo Minicucci's sending-off in the 2-2 draw with Russia yesterday, the Azzurrini had most of the early possession. However, goalkeeper Gabriel Miraglia had to make a diving save in the fourth minute from a strong shot from Lolo and not long afterwards tipped over a similar effort by the Spain captain.
Bordignon goal
Luiz Felipe Follador let fly and only narrowly missed the target and Italy were even closer in the 12th minute when Sergio Romano intercepted a clearance and fed Gabriel Lima to shoot just wide. The pressing tactics prescribed in the build-up by Minicucci were limiting Spain and for the first time in this competition they trailed when Wellington Coco fed Bordignon on the right to produce an impressive drive that Óscar Iglesias could not stop. Óscar did redeem himself by heading away a Coco lob outside the Spain box.
Spain frustrated
The first half had been tight but in the first four minutes of the second period both teams hit the woodwork. Italy's Daniel Giasson strode forward and struck the post to the relief of Spain's regular second-half goalkeeper Didac Plana and finals top scorer Pola turned and shot on to the crossbar. Plana then blocked a Lima effort and Spain were getting little change out of a determined Italy outfit, Lolo trying his luck from outside the box. Despite a desperate late offensive from their opponents, the Azzurrini held out.
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