Camelot hit the futsal jackpot

FC Camelot Chisinau are the first team to progress from the UEFA Futsal Cup Preliminary round after defeating Group C hosts FK Kauguri 3-0.

Kauguri denied
Camelot went into the game behind the Latvian champions on goal difference after each team had defeated both FV Eppelborn and FC Anzhi Tallinn. But it was the Moldovan side that will play in the Main round in September after their victory today and Azerbaijani hosts Araz Naxçivan, Slov-Matic Fofo Bratislava and Luparense Calcio A5 of Italy now await Camelot, who lost all their matches on their tournament debut three years ago. Anzhi, Estonia's first-ever representatives in major international competition, secured an inaugural win as they defeated Eppelborn of Germany 6-0 to finish third in the group.

Hapoel in control
Group A hosts Hapoel Ironi Rishon Lezion look in good shape to emulate Camelot as they opened up a three-point lead after Matchday 2 in Israel. Having beaten Lithuania's FK Nafta Mazeikiai 7-2 yesterday, they repeated that scoreline today against Uni Futsal Team Bulle of Switzerland, Shai Zablotski and Yaniv David both scoring hat-tricks. Nafta bounced back to defeat FCK De Hommel 4-3, the Dutch side leading three times but each time conceding an equaliser before Justas Gulbinas's winner two minutes from the end. However, Nafta cannot go through even if they overcome Bulle on Thursday, while De Hommel, who defeated the Swiss team yesterday, can progress by beating Hapoel - though that will need to be by a four-goal margin if the Lithuanian side win their match.

Vienna decider
Before that, Group D will be decided on Wednesday with home side Stella Rossa Vienna needing only a draw to pip Armenian opponents Politekhnik Yerevan while Scotland's Fair City Santos and Irish debutants Shamrock Rovers FC meet for third place. Only the six Preliminary round group winners progress to the next stage where they join 18 automatic entrants.