Stubborn Azzurri book final place

A superb defensive display from Italy took them into Sunday's UEFA European Futsal Championship final at the expense of Russia.

Russia denied
Nando Grana, the top scorer in Ostrava two years ago when Italy lost their title at this stage to Russia, opened the scoring with a third-minute free-kick deflected in off Cirilo. The Russia star was then among the players frustrated as the Azzurri allowed their opponents little space, though early in the second half Cirilo hit the underside of the crossbar and Pelé Junior struck the post. But Fabiano Assad made it 2-0 with nine minutes left and Russia's bid for a second title was over. Italy will meet Spain on Sunday hoping to avenge their 2004 FIFA Futsal World Cup final defeat.

Early goal
Italy, who started with Anderson Pellegrini and Marcio Forte after they were rested for Wednesday's Group A clinching 4-0 defeat of the Czech Republic, were celebrating within three minutes. They won a free-kick just outside the Russia box and Grana's shot deflected in off Cirilo to the delight of the fans who had placed Italian flags and rallying slogans throughout the arena. Not long afterwards Fabiano was denied by Sergei Zuev, who has so far taken turns with Pavel Stepanov in the Russia goal.

Frustration
At the other end Vladislav Shayakhmetov worked the ball to Konstantin Maevski, but Alexander Feller saved as he then did from Pelé and once more from Maevski. But then the Azzurri were happy to sit back and rely on the counterattack, having conceded just once in the group stage. Adriano Foglia came close from one break while Aleksandr Fukin found a gap but Feller again was equal to his effort.

Woodwork struck twice
Early in the second half Pelé hit the side-netting, while on the counterattack Foglia was denied by Zuev. Damir Khamadiev's free-kick was then worked by Fukin to Shayakhmetov, but Feller did superbly to save. Cirilo had been shackled all game but then came agonisingly close with a turn and shot that hit the underside of the crossbar and bounced away off the line. Not long afterwards Pelé hit the post.

Clincher
However, Italy soon doubled the lead, Fabiano producing a stunning angled shot into the top corner. Russia continued to move forward but in a desperate scramble Anderson and Feller kept out Cirilo. Grana forced a clever save from Zuev, who was then replaced by Maevskiy as a flying goalkeeper for long periods. However, there was no way through for Russia and Italy are into their second final in three editions while Oleg Ivanov's team will compete for third place with hosts Portugal.