Vampeta's sights on Luparense glory

Luparense C/5 captain Vampeta is looking forward to this week's UEFA Futsal Cup finals but told UEFA.com: "There's pride in having achieved this goal, but we want to win – we'll go to Lisbon to beat everybody, to win the cup."

After three straight Italian titles, Luparense made their European breakthrough in November with a dramatic 5-4 elite round defeat of Spanish champions ElPozo Mucia FS. Their reward comes on Friday when they face hosts SL Benfica in the semi-finals at Lisbon's Pavilhão Atlântico. Vampeta, the leading scorer in this season's competition with ten goals including a competition record eight in the 10-0 main round victory against Hungary's MVFC Berettyóújfalu, cannot wait.

"To play in these finals is an honour for us and the entire Italian futsal movement," Vampeta said. "The road to get here was long: my team-mates and I overcame demanding obstacles. Now we must prove we deserve to be here, keeping an eye on the highest prize."

Twice before Luparense had been pipped in the elite round, and on their debut two seasons ago they ended unbeaten but were made to pay for a draw with Benfica. "We were 2-0 up but they are a good, experienced side and they managed to earn a 2-2 draw," Vampeta said. "This time around it will be a completely different story."

Vampeta, Luparense's most experienced player at the age of 25, does concede that Benfica are "expected" to win with home advantage, but says their biggest boon is the presence of Ricardinho, back after the injury that ruled him out of January's UEFA European Futsal Championship. "He is their key player, he has skill and class, but it's the team that makes the difference. Ricardinho can't win games on his own."

Off the pitch there have been changes at Luparense this season. Jesús Velasco, the most successful coach in Italian club futsal, left in the summer to be replaced by Federico Montaldo Vidal, who led them past the elite round only to exit in January in favour of a third Spaniard, Sito Rivera. "Sure, we have changed the way we play," Vampeta. "In the past we were more aggressive while now our game is more tactical. Vidal did well with Luparense and contributed to us getting here, but now we must follow Rivera."