Prudnikov pearler sends Russia to showdown
Friday 12 December 2008
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UEFA European Under-21 Futsal Tournament hosts Russia will face Italy in Sunday's final after Dmitri Prudnikov's solo effort saw off the challenge of stubborn Ukraine.
Pressure tells
From midway through the first half Russia put their neighbours under constant pressure but no goal was forthcoming until Prudnikov's run and sublime finish with just less that seven minutes to go. Russia drew 2-2 with Italy in the group stage yesterday; now they will meet the same opponents again for the title.
Tight start
Two other perennial rivals, Italy and Spain, played out a tight 1-0 game in the first semi-final and this match started in similar manner, with plenty of passion but chances at a premium. Dmytro Sorokin had the first chance for Ukraine, making Sergei Slemzin save following Dmitriy Klochko's cross. Klochko was then on hand to block an effort from Russia captain Prudnikov.
Russia in charge
Ukraine's Nazariy Tsymbalyak shot wide on the break, but late in the half Russia started to force the pace. Opposing captain Dmytro Lytvynenko had to dive to deny both Dmitri Lyskov and Vladimir Goncharov, before Prudnikov showed some neat tricks only to shoot straight at the Ukraine No1. A Prudnikov free-kick was then played to Goncharov to cut back to Ivan Milovanov, whose strike bounced off the crossbar. Lyskov shot just wide as the half ended.
More chances
Russia retained the edge after the break, Danil Kutuzov having a long-range effort tipped around the post by Lytvynenko and Victor Senatov rattling the frame of the goal. At the other end Oleksandr Kolesnikov just failed to connect with an incisive Dmytro Sorokin cross, but Lytvynenko remained busy especially when he got down low to stop a strike from crowd favourite Aleksei Petrov.
Prudnikov strikes
The breakthrough seemed inevitable and, when it did come, it was a superb goal from Prudnikov, who broke deep from inside his own half and beautifully chipped Lytvynenko. Now it was Russia's turn to show they could defend and despite Klochko's deployment as a flying goalkeeper, so nearly setting up Oleksandr Sorokin to turn the ball in, Ukraine were thwarted.
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