Prudnikov pounces to give Russia the title
Sunday 14 December 2008
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Dmitri Prudnikov's double penalty four minutes from time gave hosts Russia victory in an extraordinary first UEFA European Under-21 Futsal Tournament final against Italy in St Petersburg.
Thriller
Dmitri Lyskov and Danil Kutuzov gave Russia the advantage before the break but Gabriel Lima and Andre Fantecele cancelled out that lead. Lyskov made it 3-2 in extra time and although Wellington Coco scored twice in 22 seconds, Ildar Nugumanov levelled and home captain Prudnikov justified his star billing when it really mattered.
Home support
The hosts have been picking up fans all week and from the start the arena echoed to their chants. Ivan Milovanov headed a long ball wide on two minutes and also forced Gabriel Miraglia to save before winning the ball in the middle and finding Prudnikov, whose effort was not far off target.
Russia on top
Italy did not concede a foul until the eleventh minute but it nearly led to a goal as Kirill Pogorelov's free-kick found Nugumanov, back from a two-game suspension, and Miraglia did well to block. But soon after, Russia were in front thanks to Lyskov's emphatic finish. Russia remained the dominant force and three minutes later Nugumanov's corner was turned in by Kutuzov. It could have been 3-0 at the break but Miraglia turned over Pogorelov's strike.
Italy recovery
Azzurrini coach Paolo Minicucci deployed Leandro Garcia in goal for the second half, and five minutes in his shot from inside the Russia half was blocked by opposite number Sergei Slemzin. And a much livelier Italy display was rewarded when Lima shot in from the edge of the box after Felipe Arteiro's effort was blocked by Vladimir Goncharov.
Equaliser
Now Russia were having to defend and Fantecele broke from deep only to be denied by Slemzin. At the other end Garcia made a superb point-blank save from Goncharov that left him winded, while Fantecele continued to threaten, volleying only just wide. And he got the equaliser just over five minutes from time, pouncing after Garcia and Lima both had shots blocked. Garcia remained in goal and just before the 40-minute mark stopped Prudnikov's header from Slemzin's throw while Coco hit the post in a thrilling passage of play.
Extra-time excitement
Both teams committed five second-half fouls, making extra time even more tense. But the atmosphere was celebratory when Lyskov's angled shot beat Garcia. Italy are seldom behind for long, though, and Coco levelled with a great finish before a repeat performance 22 seconds later. However, after Douglas Perassolli missed a double penalty, it was level when Nugumanov turned in Prudnikov's cross at the far post. An Italy handball a minute after the turnaround finally proved decisive, Prudnikov dispatching the ten-metre kick. Garcia did have a double penalty seven seconds from time but his effort the post.
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