A dozen futsal fledgings for the future
Monday 15 December 2008
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The next generation of international talent was showcased over the last week at the inaugural UEFA European Under-21 Futsal Tournament in St Petersburg. uefa.com's team of reporters at the finals in Russia give their selection of 12 of the players who displayed particular promise for the future.
Žarko Luketin (Croatia)
Croatia condeded nine goals at the tournament but their goalkeeper was perhaps the best on display. Especially in the opening 3-3 draw with Russia and 2-1 loss to Italy – eventual finalists both – Luketin made save after save to keep his team in the game, and in the last match with Slovenia even found the target himself.
Dmytro Lytvynenko (Ukraine)
Ukraine's captain and first-choice goalkeeper nearly frustrated Russia in the 1-0 semi-final loss, keeping the score goalless for most of the match. He also kept a clean sheet against Kazakhstan and ensured the Netherlands did not make the most of their early dominance in a game Ukraine recovered to win 3-2.
Dmitri Prudnikov (Russia)
Lytvynenko was eventually beaten by a stunning solo effort from the Russia captain, who showed his class earlier in the autumn in helping the senior side to the FIFA Futsal World Cup semi-finals. However, his real moment of magic was to come with his double penalty goal in final extra-time to secure Russia's 5-4 win against Italy.
Kirill Pogorelov (Russia)
Only one hat-trick was scored in the finals and it was crucial one, earning Russia an opening 3-3 draw with Croatia, the equaliser two seconds from time. However, the diminutive Pogorelov was not just a goalscorer, rather a bustling, energetic presence in a sport where those qualities are invaluable, as he showed in the final.
Mohammed Attaibi (Netherlands)
The Netherlands were probably the most unfortunate team to be eliminated in the group stage as their array of talent was equal to any of the semi-finalists, despite having no full-time professionals. Attaibi especially impressed with four goals and a range of skills, not to mention physical presence.
Aleksandr Dovgan (Kazakhstan)
It took Kazakhstan until the start of their third game against the Netherlands to score and it was a just reward for Dovgan. He was not overawed by the occasion even in the youngest and most inexperienced team in the finals.
Jorge Barroso (Spain)
In terms of individual talents, Spain had a surfeit, even though their spectacular run was brought to a shuddering halt by the Italy defence in the semi-finals. Jorge Barroso is an all-round performer that proved important to their dominant group stage performance, though so were the likes of captain Lolo and Mario Ossorio, to name but two.
Pola (Spain)
One consolation for Spain was that Adrián Alonso – better known as Pola – topped the scoring charts with five goals. The most natural finisher in the tournament, he had a habit of being in the right place and the right time.
Kristjan Čujec (Slovenia)
The athletic Čujec was an important reason that Slovenia came within a last-gasp Russia winner of possibly reaching the semi-finals. Slovenia proved more than a match for both Italy and Russia, with Čujec a handful in all areas including in front of goal.
Dmitriy Klochko (Ukraine)
Klochko, like Čujec for Slovenia, was someone Ukraine's opponents could never keep an eye off, in defence and attack. He worked especially well with talented brothers Oleksandr and Dmytro Sorokin.
Wellington Coco (Italy)
Coco is another player who epitomises the intensity that is required in futsal and possesses natural flair that betrays the Brazilian roots he shares with much of the Italy squad. His two goals in 22 extra-time seconds briefly gave Italy their only final lead.
Gabriel Lima (Italy)
Italy expect big things of Lima and he showed why in the tournament, not least by chipping in with important equalisers in all three of their group games and then pulling one back in the final loss to Russia.
Players selected by Francesco Corda, Wayne Harrison, Dennis Notivsky & Paul Saffer
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