Hermans has high hopes

The Netherlands welcome Finland, Serbia and Azerbaijan to Geleen for UEFA European Futsal Championship qualifying round Group D - running from today until Sunday - and coach Vic Hermans believes his team could be destined for another final round.

Duo return
Hermans led the Dutch to the finals in 2005, where they ran Russia and Ukraine close and defeated hosts the Czech Republic 4-3. His charges have not rested on their laurels since, playing regular friendlies and training every week in Zeist.

Reason to believe
Among their recent results are a 4-3 success against Belgium, two 2-2 draws with Argentina either side of a 2-1 loss, and victory in November's Edegem tournament with comfortable wins against Lithuania and England and another scalp of Belgium. "When I look at the development of my team, I have faith in us succeeding in our mission," said Hermans, whose squad is boosted by the return of Zaïd El Morabiti and Najib El Allouchi from long-term injuries.

Spanish test
The Netherlands have been preparing in Spain where they lost a friendly 5-1 to the professional División de Honor club Martorell FS. "It was fabulous what that team showed us," Hermans said. "We were well beaten. The difference is that they have been training two times a day for years - we have not. In that sense we are far behind."

Respect for rivals
Hermans also has respect for their international rivals. "Against Finland, we will meet opponents who play a powerful brand of futsal but who, at the same time, are not always a solid team. Despite that, Finland are dangerous outsiders," he said. "Azerbaijan, we watched on 18 February when they played a friendly in Turkey. They have a team of fast, technically-skilled players." It is the Netherlands' last match, however, which Hermans believes will be the toughest, as they target a place in the Porto finals next November. "Serbia are the team to beat and the main competitors for qualification," he said. "They have big, strong and individually skilful players."

Tournament win
Serbia are participating as a separate nation for the first time, although the former Yugoslavia qualified for a European finals in 1999 when they drew 1-1 with the Netherlands for their only point. Only narrow defeats by Spain prevented them qualifying in 2001 and 2003, while eventual runners-up Russia denied Serbia and Montenegro two years ago. They returned to action in January and impressed in winning the Rzeszow/Krosno tournament in Poland, holding Ukraine 3-3 then beating hosts Poland 6-3 and Moldova 4-1. Marko Perić was named MVP.

Tough opponents
Azerbaijan have entered every UEFA European Futsal Championship and although still to qualify, they are usually tough opponents; they limited Serbia and Montenegro to a 2-1 win in the last edition. In Monday's friendly in Turkey, watched by Hermans, Azerbaijan prevailed by 6-4, having overcome the same opponents twice in December. Finland, meanwhile, progressed as best runners-up from their preliminary round group last month, finishing behind Turkey on goal difference having drawn 5-5 with that side in between defeats of Armenia and Albania.