Russia rattle five past Slovenia

Romance was not in the air at the Papp László Arena as Russia's full-timers opened their UEFA European Futsal Championship Group C account with a 5-1 defeat of willing amateurs Slovenia.

Loose clearance
The architects of their own downfall after four minutes, when Pavel Chistopolov intercepted Alan Pertovt's attempted ball forward, driving it hard back into the Slovenian net, Andrej Dobovičnik's side found the going tough. The goalkeeper atoned for his error with a series of fine saves and blocks, however, as Russia drove forward. Sergei Zuev at the other end had little to do, apart from blocking Rajko Uršić's shot with his legs following a rare Russian defensive lapse.

Double distress
The sky fell in on Slovenia in the 19th minute, Chistopolov tapping home after Pertovt could only push Vladislav Shayakhmetov's long shot onto the post, and within ten seconds it was 3-0, Pula waltzing unsupervised across the edge of the penalty area before picking his spot to perfection. Not long after the break, captain Benjamin Melink smacked a shot into Zuev's side netting on the break; it was a miss Slovenia could ill afford.

Professional job
Damir Khamadiyev made it 4-0, spinning marker Uršić from a clearance to finish when one-one one with Pertovt. With Russia coach Sergei Skorovich resolved to use the full length of his substitutes bench as the game went on, Slovenia landed a counterblow, Uršić cuing up Kristjan Cuječ to beat Zuev on 37 minutes after a choppy little one-two. Russia responded in the final minute, Chistopolov's wily touch allowing Shayakhmetov to score; in every sense, a professional job. Slovenia now cannot afford to lose to Serbia on Friday.