Koridze covets Futsal crown

By Igor Linnyk

When it comes to scoring goals on the big occasion, few are more prolific than Ukraine striker Serhiy Koridze.

Eremenko's successor
The 29-year-old was the top marksman at the 2001 and 2003 UEFA European Futsal Championships, finding the net seven times in five games as Ukraine finished runner-up each time. They naturally aim to go one better this time around, when the 2005 finals begin in Ostrava, Czech Republic next week.

All change
However, while Koridze continues to stand out, his team are in a period of some transition with several veterans from those past finals making way for younger talent. As such, he recognises that it will be trickier to make an impact this time around.

'Harder and harder'
"With every year it's getting harder and harder to win matches, because the majority of players who gained outstanding results in the past have retired," he said. "That great team should have won at least one European final. Finishing second wasn't good enough for us."

Aiming high
Yet, as anyone who has seen the No4 in action will testify, Koridze will certainly not give up without giving it his all. Choosing to do his talking on the pitch, he would only say this about his side's chances over the next week. "We'll have to wait to know Ukraine's future. The tournament will be crucial as we will find out who really is the best."

Many trophies
Although Koridze is currently with FC Spartak Schelkovo in the Russian élite division, he made his name at FC Lokomotiv Odesa, winning six Ukrainian championships and three Ukrainian Cups between 1995 and 2001. He then moved to FC Dina Moskva, scoring 52 goals in the 2003/04 season.

Enormous potential
"Koridze has enormous potential," said Ukraine coach Gennadiy Lysenchuk. "He has a powerful shot, he is explosive and possesses good technical ability. Still, we have to consider his aggression. But we have learned to use his energy to gain benefits for the team."