Contenders eye Main chance
Monday, August 20, 2007
Article summary
The likes of SL Benfica, Clearex Chorzów and Futsal Topsport Antwerpen now know their opposition after the Main round lineup was completed.
Article body
Six qualifiers
Israel's Hapoel Ironi Rishon Lezioyn, inaugural Montenegrin representatives KMF Muicipium Casino Plevlja, Moldovan champions FC Camelot Chisinau, Armenia's Politekhnik Yerevan, Skövde AIK from Sweden and Slovenian side KMN Puntar respectively topped the six Preliminary round groups over the last week. They now join 18 teams seeded into the second stage in another half dozen sections.
Contenders
Among teams now entering the competition are 2004 runners-up SL Benfica in Group 2 against Ukraine's SK Energia, Bulgarian hosts MFC Varna and Politekhnik. Poland's Clearex Chorzów, who were pipped to the final four by a last-gasp Action 21 Charleroi goal in 2006/07 will stage Group 1 against FC Mapid Minsk, KMF Alfa Parf Skopje and Ironi Rishon. Meanwhile Futsal Topsport Antwerpen, the team that beat former European champions Charleroi to the Belgian title and ended their run of never missing a UEFA Futsal Cup edition, play Hungarian hosts Futsal Club Gödöllő, Athina '90 Athens and Municipum in Group 4.
Elite round
The top two teams from each Main round group will enter the Elite round draw on 18 September. Holders MFK Dinamo Moskva, their Russian rivals MFK Viz-Sinara Ekaterinburg, Spanish champions ElPozo Murcia FS and Kairat Almaty are seeded straight into that stage from 13-21 October with the group winners progressing to April's final four; the hosts are to be picked from among their number to follow in the footsteps of Murcia.
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