Contenders flying at home

The UEFA Futsal Cup Elite round begins on Sunday week, and most of the 16 contenders have been warming up in domestic action. uefa.com looks at how they are doing prior to the mini-tournaments which will decide the identity of April's final four.

Group A
Reining Spanish champions ElPozo Murcia FS are the only team on three wins out of three in the División de Honor, opening up a two-point lead over Interviú Fadesa last weekend as they won 4-1 at A. Lobelle de Santiago. HMNK Gospić began the Croatian season on 29 September with a 4-0 victory against MNK Potpićan 98 while KMF Marbo Beograd start the defence of their Serbian title on Saturday. Clearex Chorzów, who will stage Group A, opened the Polish campaign with a 5-1 win at Marioss Gazownik Wawelno last month.

Group B
UEFA Futsal Cup holders MFK Dinamo Moskva continue their Russian league fixtures tonight against MFK Tyumen in what already looks a pivotal double-header. Dinamo are still unbeaten and are top but Tyumen, two points behind, have won all their eight fixtures and have two games in hand. Dinamo have also been in Russian Cup action, last week winning the first leg of their last-16 tie 5-0 at Zvezda-Istland Irkutsk. SL Benfica overcame Fundação JA last week to stay within three points of joint leaders AR Freixieiro and CF Os Belenenses after three matches. Mini-tournament hosts Luparense Calcio A5 lead Serie A1 with three wins, the most recent a 3-2 victory at Perugia Calcio A5, while European newcomers KMF Municipium Casino Pljevlja open their domestic season in Montenegro on Sunday.

Group C
Kairat Almaty began well in Kazakhstan by beating Tulpar-Ikar Qaraghandy 4-2 and 7-2 last weekend. Belgian debutants Futsal Topsport Antwerpen are also looking good, having scored 21 goals in their three wins – a perfect start matched by former European champions Action 21 Charleroi. FK Era-Pack Chrudim, who will be at home in this group in the Czech Republic, lost their league opener 8-5 at Eco Investment Praha and Slov-Matic Fofo Bratislava also suffered a setback in their most recent fixture, a 5-4 home defeat by FC Patrik Senica.

Group D
MFK Viz-Sinara Ekaterinburg, who will make their European bow on home territory, are third in Russia. They lie four points behind the champions Dinamo having lost twice, but opened their cup campaign with a 7-1 win at Norilsky Nikel-2 Norilsk. Hapoel Ironi Rishon Lezion have been displaying their skills in Europe rather than Israel where the domestic season is yet to get under way, but SK Energia are top of the Ukrainian league following a 3-1 win at neighbours and previous leaders TVD Lviv. CIP Deva have a 100 per cent record in Romania after three games, beating previously undefeated ACS Odorheiu Secuiesc 3-0 on Monday.