Spain
Thursday 3 July 2008
e-mail
Print
Digg
Save
Spain (©RFEF)
Over the last decade Spain have overtaken Brazil as the leading nation in the sport and few would be surprised if they were the first team to win the UEFA European Under-21 Futsal Tournament.
Qualifying
Spain were among the favourites for the new tournament before their squad had even been assembled. That billing was confirmed when they won the 2007 Autumn tournament last December in St Petersburg, beating Slovenia 1-0 and Belarus 4-0 before a 1-1 draw with Slovakia took them through to the knockout phase, where they defeated Iran 5-0 and beat Russia 6-4 on penalties following a 1-1 draw. In a friendly in February they lost 3-1 at home to Italy but sailed through qualifying two months later in Alcobandas, beating Greece 5-0, Switzerland 12-0 and Slovakia 8-0, a record of 25 unanswered goals only matched by the Azzurrini.
Senior achievements
At senior level Spain have never missed out on a final tournament of either the UEFA European Futsal Championship or FIFA Futsal World Cup and have come to dominate both events. At continental level, they won the first unofficial event on home soil in 1996 and although they lost the inaugural official final on penalties to Russia, they gained revenge in 2001, and after only taking bronze two years later, emerged as champions in 2005 and 2007. In the World Cup they took bronze in 1992 but they have reached every final since, losing to Brazil in 1996, beating that nation in 2000 and Italy four years ago. On top of that, Spanish clubs have won the UEFA Futsal Cup four times in its seven seasons.
Key players
Spain have an array of talent to pick from but of those who are in the 14 for the finals Raúl Campos, Jorge Barroso and Pola provide plenty of skill. Mario Rivillos averages more than a goal a game at this level. Captain Sergio Lozano is out with an ankle ligament tear.
©uefa.com 1998-2008. All rights reserved.
