Israeli champions top group

Hapoel Ironi Rishon Lezion streaked through to the UEFA Futsal Cup Main round following a 4-0 defeat of FCK De Hommel that left them six points clear in their mini-tournament.

Israeli success
Hosting Preliminary round Group A in Israel, Hapoel had already beaten both FK Nafta Mazeikiai and Uni Futsal Team Bulle 7-2. Knowing a draw against De Hommel would cap their successful tournament debut, the home team were helped on their way by own goals from Rene Marechal and Tim Huijdts in the first 12 minutes. In the second half, Shai Zablotski and Yaniv David added to the goal tally, and finished joint best scorers in the mini-tournament with five.

De Hommel second
Hapoel now meet Polish hosts Clearex Chorzów, FC Mapid Minsk of Belarus and Macedonian champions KMF Alfa Parf Skopje in next month's Main round, while De Hommel at least finished second in the group in a three-way tie as Bulle of Switzerland overcame Lithuania's Nafta 6-4 for third place, Patrick Da Silva notching a hat-trick.

Montenegrin joy
Two mini-tournaments got under way today. In Group B in France, KMF Municipium Casino Pljevlja made it a happy debut for Montenegro as they overcame AGBU Ararat Nicosia FC 5-3, while hosts Issy Futsal are set to be awarded a 3-0 default win against KS Ali Demi Tirana, who will only arrive tomorrow due to visa problems. Meanwhile, Slovenian Group E hosts KMN Puntar gained a 5-3 win against London White Bear FC, who meet the third team in the pool, Andorra's Granvalira FC Encamp, tomorrow. Group F also starts then with Swedish hosts Skövde AIK playing Malta's Jeepers FC.