2022 UEFA Futsal Euro Preview Group B (Part 4)
It’s now time to take a look at group B. Kazakhstan, Italy, Slovenia and Finland.
KAZAKHSTAN
The Kazakhs have carried out a convincing campaign on the road to the Netherlands. Placed in group five of the qualifying groups alongside Belarus, Hungary and Israel they completely brushed aside their opponents.
With six wins in six matches, their perfect record demonstrated how comfortable their journey has been. They cruised by Hungary (5-0 and 6-1), dispatched with Belarus (5-2 and 6-1) and made light work of Israel (4-1 and 4-0). 30 goals scored only five conceded.
They finished qualification for these Euros in April 2021 and had a successful 2021 FIFA World Cup in Lithuania. Kazakhstan were one out of the seven nations that represented Europe.
After failing to secure the winning bid to host the tournament they were able to take vengeance against the bid winners in their own backyard. Placed in group A, Kazakhstan beat Costa Rica comfortably with a 6-1 win before their 3-0 win over the hosts. A 1-1 draw with Venezuela saw Kazakhstan top the group on goal difference.
Thailand were dispatched 7-0 in the last 16 before a closer 3-2 win against Iran and it was only eventful winners Portugal that could stop them.
Currently sitting in the sixth position in the Futsal World ranking, it would not come as a surprise if they caused upsets in the Netherlands. Their best competition result in the competition came in Serbia in 2016 where they were third.
“On The Court” is an online magazine focused on the coaching aspects of Futsal aiming at providing rich and detailed information for the Futsal community. Brothers Juan (Founder) and David Tapia-Owens (CEO) have recently released their third issue of the magazine which had a section focusing on Kazakhstan.
“The rise of the Kazakhs has gone hand in hand with the rise of their most successful club FC Kairat Almaty, with there always being a dominant presence of club teammates also sharing the national dressing room.”
Kairat Almaty were UEFA Futsal Cup winners in 2013 and 2015, beating giants FC Barcelona in the latter. With club level success and international near misses, the success of this Futsal team just might be the answer for some rest in this political turmoil filled country.
“One of the main points that is always brought up is the number of Brazilian-born players, most recently Higuita, Douglas Jr, Taynan and Leo Jaragua. However, the increasing ability of the Kazakh-born players is noticeable and let’s not forget the dominant Kazakh-born presence in the European title-winning teams.”
Douglas Silva and Taynan are central to Kazakhstan’s success. The former scored four times in Lithuania with the latter a hitting the six times.
Other outfield players to watch are Dauren Tursagulov, Arnold Knaub and Albert Akbalikov. How these five work together will be the difference between a decent tournament and a potential title for the Kazakhs.
But don’t forget the backroom in this world-class team. Léo Higuita was recently named by Futsal Planet amongst the nominees for “Best Goalkeepers in the World”.
Coach Ricardo Kaká was appointed the Kazakhstan coach in 2018 and since then has taken the Kazahks to the semi-finals of the World Cup. Having previously led Ugra Yugorsk to the 2016 Futsal Cup title, he now coaches AFC Kairat where a good part of his international squad plays.
Form:
L: 4-2 Brazil (03/10/2021 FIFA Futsal World Cup)
L: 2-2 Portugal (30/09/2021 FIFA Futsal World Cup)
W: 3-2 Iran (27/09/2021 FIFA Futsal World Cup)
W: 7-0 Thailand (23/09/2021 FIFA Futsal World Cup)
D: 1-1 Venezuela (18/09/2021 FIFA Futsal World Cup)
Squad List:
Coach
Ricardo Kaká
Goalkeepers
Rauan Atantayev (MFC Atyrau, Kazakhstan), Léo Higuita (AFC Kairat, Kazakhstan) and Narun Serikov (AFC Kairat, Kazakhstan)
Defenders
Douglas Junior (AFC Kairat, Kazakhstan), Leo (Sporting CP, Portugal) and Birzhan Orazov (AFC Kairat, Kazakhstan)
Forwards
Albert Akbalikov (AFC Kairat, Kazakhstan), Nurbek Karagulov (MFC Aktobe, Kazakhstan), Arnold Knaub (MFC Aktobve, Kazakhstan), Taynan Da Silva (El Pozo Murcia, Spain), Zhomart Tokayev (MFC Atyrau, Kazakhstan), Dauren Tursagulov (AFC Kairat, Kazakhstan), Azat Valiullin (MFC Ayat, Kazakhstan) and Chingiz Yesenamanov (AFC Nairat, Kazakhstan)
https://twitter.com/KFF_Team/status/1478345816867807234
ITALY
The Italians have a great amount of experience in reaching the later stages of major competitions in Futsal.
Their UEFA record consists of two fourth places (1996 and 2001), three third places (1999, 2005 and 2012), a runners-up campaign (2007) and two titles (2003 as hosts and 2014).
In the FIFA Futsal World Cup; a second place in 2004 and 2008 and a third in 2012. This form has been slowly declining and they now find themselves rebuilding.
In the last three editions (2010, 2016 and 2018) Italy didn’t reach the semi-finals stage. In 2018 it was the first time they had not finished among the top eight falling short in the groups.
Nonetheless, Italy remains the last host to win the title on home soil.
They currently sit in ninth place in the Futsal World ranking and have qualified for this edition group seven winners. They won all of their matches but one where Belgium beat them 5-4.
The Italian side is heavily influenced by the Brazilian-born players and the one that can bring back their international glory is Alex Merlim. Futsal Planet included him as one of the nominees for “Best Men’s Player in the World”.
Liam Palfreeman is an English International who has played his Futsal in Spain, Italy and England. He has recently made history in becoming the first British Futsal player to win a league title in three different countries.
Liam has English titles with Oxford, Baku and Helvecia, a Spanish Segunda B title with UA Ceuti FS and most recently an Italian Serie B title with C.U.S. Ancona.
Speaking with him about the UEFA 2022 Euros, Liam explained how he thinks Spain and Portugal are the obvious choices but he also believes Georgia could be a surprise.
“My dark horse for the tournament will be Georgia, especially with the amount of Brazilian-born talent they have, Roninho, Elisandro, Thales”.
When asking who is individually going to be make a difference, he expanded:
“I am looking forward to watch my favourite player, Alex Merlim. I think he is arguably the best player in the world and it was an honour to have played against him in the World Cup main-round a few years ago”.
In an article published by Futsal Focus, an online media and promotional platform for Futsal, Antonio Dario expressed his thoughts about the Italian side.
Antonio Dario was a manager for 12 years (Petrarca Padova and Luparense) and also worked for Divisione “Calcio a 5” for 12 years. Six of those years he was Vice-President.
“Italian Futsal is considered one of the top leagues in Europe but are we? Especially, when we are naturalising foreign players to play for us, not just one or two Brazilians, but eight!”
“We must be honest to ourselves about the direction our sport is going in Italy, in relation, to player development, coach development, club development and league development.”
Carlo Musumeci, Cainan De Matos and Guilherme Gaio are among those who were not part of the Italian squad for the 2018 tournament, but now are an essential part of coach Massimiliano Bellarte plans.
Bellarte knows the domestic and international game extremely well. He is hugely experienced, having won trophies in the men’s and women’s Italian league as well as the Belgium league. He took charge of the Azzurri in September 2020 and will try and lead this team back up the ranks.
Form:
W: 2-0 Montenegro (13/04/2021 UEFA Futsal Euro)
L: 5-4 Belgium (08/04/2021 UEFA Futsal Euro)
W: 4-1 Belgium (09/03/2021 UEFA Futsal Euro)
W: 4-2 Finland (05/03/2021 UEFA Futsal Euro)
W: 7-4 Finland (02/02/2021 UEFA Futsal Euro)
Squad List:
Coach
Massimiliano Bellarte
Goalkeepers
Dennis Berthod (Aosta 511) and Stefano Mammarella (Futsal Pescara)
Defenders
Eduardo Alano (Mouvaux Lille Metropole, France) and Murilo Ferreira (Futsal Pescara, Italy)
Forwards
Attilio Arillo (Napoli Futsal, Italy), Vincenzo Caponigro (Napoli Futsal, Italy), Cainan De Matos (Palma Futsal, Spain), Matteo Esposito (Todis Listo De Ostia, Italy), Giuliano Fortini (Italservice Pesaro, Italy), Guilerme Gaio Gui (Futsal Pescara, Italy), Alex Merlim (Sporting CP, Portugal), Carmelo Musumeci (Meta Catania, Italy), Douglas Nicolodi (Olimpus Roma, Italy) and Guilherrme Stringari (Kuwait SC, Kuwait)
https://twitter.com/ProneoSports/status/1479195008708362241
SLOVENIA
Slovenia had great aspirations when they hosted the UEFA 2018 Futsal Euro. They started the tournament extremely well, drawing 2-2 with Serbia and beating Italy 2-1.
These results saw the team advance to the play-off stage topping their group.
Unfortunately, the campaign and the dreams of the home supporters were shattered in the quarter-finals when they were beaten by Russia in a 2-0 defeat.
Back in 2018 they relied on their talisman and captain Ihor Osredkar who plays his Futsal for Litija FC. He will be looking to lead his team into further success this time around.
He has been speaking about their tournament preparations:
“We have had enough time to prepare, hone the details, strengthen the team spirit. Our primary goal is to come either first or second in our group. We are aware of the complications in this group which some have called it the “Group of Death”.
Tomislav Horvat elaborated in how confident he is about his team.
“It is clear who are the ten players who will play the main role in these European Championships and this would only have been changed in case of injury or illness.”
“My thoughts are only with Kazakhstan; they are a top team. I am sure we can match them. I expect my team to play at the highest possible level and give their absolute best. We are only interested in winning.”
Alen Fetić and Kristijan Čujec have both developed into fine players, each in their own way. The game against Italy will be one to keep an eye on as the Italians are certainly going to try and give them a pay-back for 2018.
Slovenia currently stands in 19th in the Futsal World ranking, sharing that position with debutants and group opponents Finland.
For the 2022 qualifiers Slovenia landed in a group with Spain, Latvia and Switzerland. They came close against Spain marginally losing with a 3-1 and a 2-1 defeat but they managed to win the remainder of their games qualifying as runners up.
Necj Hozjan and Teo Turk have gained experience in the international stage and under Horvat, have had been performing consistently well. The youthful pair will need to combine well with the experienced, Gasper Vrhovec and Alen Fetić in order to relish in this tournament.
Horvat has taken charge of the squad in 2020, ending 14 year reign of Andrej Dobovicnik. He brings his experience from coaching Slovenian team, Litija.
Form:
W: 5-3 Latvia (12/042021 UEFA Futsal Euro)
W: 11-1 Switzerland (09/03/2021 UEFA Futsal Euro)
L: 2-1 Spain (06/032021 UEFA Futsal Euro)
L: 3-1 Spain (02/02/2021 UEFA Futsal Euro)
W: 1-0 Latvia (29/01/2021 UEFA Futsal Euro)
Squad List:
Coach
Tomislav Horvat
Goalkeepers
Nejc Berzelak (Litija FC, Slovenia) and Tjaž Lovrenčič (KMF Meteorplast, Slovenia)
Defenders
Žiga Čeh (FC Dobovec, Slovenia), Klemen Duščak (FC Dobovec, Slovenia), Alen Fetić (Petrarca, Italy), Nejc Hozjan (Napoli Futsal, Italy), Nejc Kovačič (KMN Oplast Kobarid, Slovenia) and Igor Osredkar (Litija FC, Slovenia)
Forwards
Jeremy Bukovec (ŠD FK Ptuj, Slovenia), Matej Fideršek (Sampdoria Futsal, Italy), Denis Totošković (Sampdoria Futsal, Italy), Teo Turk (FC Dobovec, Slovenia), Max Vesel (FK Siliko, Slovenia) and Gašper Vrhovec (Litija FC, Slovenia)
FINLAND (debutants)
Finland’s journey to the UEFA 2022 Futsal Euro started in the qualifying group seven where they faced Belgium, Montenegro and Italy. A campaign which had mixed results saw them finish runners up.
The spot in the final tournament was guaranteed in April 2021 in a close 3-2 win against third place Belgium. Italy remained an opponent they could not overcome.
Against the Italians, the Finns were defeated twice (7-4 and 4-2). This turn of events will make their opening match in Netherlands a finely poised one, a match up that will keep the spectators glued to the screen.
https://twitter.com/FutsalSuomi/status/1479411381850062851
It’s impossible to go much further without discussing Mićo Martić. The experienced, legendary, admired and tactician royalty Croatian coach has devoted his entire life’s work to Futsal.
Once captain and coach of the Croatian Futsal team, Martić now devotes his time making Finland the best he can. He has done an incredible job.
He became Finland’s coach in 2013 and since then has profoundly changed the Finnish Futsal to the better.
He has been involved in many projects such as founding “Futsal Planet”, the “CoachingFutsal” website and most recently “Futsal Is Here”.
Futsal Is Here is a newly launched platform that provides the global Futsal community with a place to come together, where all of the involved parts can benefit.
The project’s intentions are to unite Futsal in one location to demonstrate the strength of the community, increase their knowledge and fuel their powerful voice.
The Finns currently sit in 19th position in the Futsal World ranking and they will be counting on experienced captain Panu Autio.
Autio is the leading international goal scorer for his country, boasting over a century of goals and his journey has been an inspiring one.
Their campaign will start in Gronigen on the 20th January against the Italians, followed by Kazakhstan on the 24th and lastly facing Slovenia on the 28th.
Form:
W: 3-2 Belgium (13/04/2021 UEFA Futsal Euro)
W: 2-1 Montenegro (09/04/2021 UEFA Futsal Euro)
W: 6-1 Montenegro (08/03/2021 UEFA Futsal Euro)
L: 4-2 Italy (05/03/2021 UEFA Futsal Euro)
L: 7-4 Italy (02/02/2021 UEFA Futsal Euro)
Squad List:
Coach
Mico Martić
Goalkeepers
Antii Koivumäki (Espoo Futsal, Finland) and Juha-Matti Savolainen (Kampuksem Dynamo)
Defenders
Panu Autio (Espoo Futsal, Finland), Jani Korpela (MFC Torpedo, Finland), Jukka Kytölä (Kampuksem Dynamo, Finland) and Mikko Kytölä (Kampuksem Dynamo, Finland)
Forwards
Miika Hosio (Espoo Futsal, Finland), Jarmo Junno (Vieska Futsal, Finland), Juhana Jyrkiänen (Akaa Futsal, Finland), Sergei Korsunov (Kampuksem Dynamo, Finland), Lassi Lintula (Kampuksem Dynamo, Finland), Tuukka Pikkarainen (FC Kemi, Finland), Olli Pöyliö (Liikunnan Riemu) and Iiro Vanha (Akaa Futsal, Finland)
https://twitter.com/FutsalSuomi/status/1479431310364090368
Head-to-heads
Kazakhstan vs Slovenia
Kazakhstan play Slovenia to open group B in Groningen on the 29th January. The Kazakhs previously beat Slovenia 4-3 in 2020 FIFA Futsal World Cup qualifiers.
No previous encounters
Italy vs Finland
Italy and Finland open their group B campaigns straight after the game between Kazakhstan and Slovenia. Italy beat Finland twice in qualifying and Finland knocked Italy out of FIFA 2020 World Cup qualifying.
Total encounters
Italy wins 2 (20 goals)
Finland wins 0 (7goals)
Draws 0
Italy vs Slovenia
Italy beat Slovenia on way to 2013 title but Slovenia won 2014 and 2018 meetings.
Total encounters
Italy wins 2 (7 goals)
Slovenia wins 2 (6 goals)
Draws 0
Finland vs Kazakhstan
This will be the first Finland and Kazakhstan meet in a competitive environment.
No previous encounters
Slovenia vs Finland
Slovenia play Finland in their last match in group B. Slovenia beat Finland 5-1 in the 2005 qualifiers.
Total encounters
Slovenia wins 1 (5 goals)
Finland wins 0 (1 goal)
Draws 0
Kazakhstan vs Italy
Kazakhstan will play Italy in last group B match. Previously, Kazakhstan beat Italy 5-2 in 2016 UEFA Futsal Euros quarter-finals.
Kazakhstan wins 1 (5 goals)
Italy wins 0 (2 goals)
Draws 0
To be continued…
