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Superb Spain retain futsal title

Italy 1-3 Spain
Spain became the first team to successfully defend the European crown with a peerless performance in Porto.

Spain delight in victory
Spain delight in victory ©Sportsfile

Spain retained their UEFA European Futsal Championship crown with a clinical performance to defeat Italy in the final in Gondomar.

Fourth title
Álvaro, in superb form, made the opener for Marcelo – who also scored in the 2004 FIFA Futsal World Cup final defeat of Italy – and the same player created another early in the second half for Daniel. Spain captain Javi Rodríguez added a third and although Italy goalkeeper Alexander Feller pulled one back, the 2003 champions could not deny their opponents a fourth European title in six tournaments.

Álvaro intent
The holders began the game the brightest, Álvaro in particular probing with intent. Jordi Torras robbed Saad Assis and broke but Alexander Feller was equal to his shot. On a counterattack Adriano Foglia came close for Italy, and Assis had an effort tipped over by Luis Amado.

Spain ahead
Marcelo was denied by Feller only to then become the second played to beat the Italy No1 in these finals as he headed in at the far post following a superb jinking Álvaro run and cross. Nando Grana so nearly responded for Italy, but Amado got the slightest of touches on his shot to turn the ball on to the post. Álvaro forced a save from Feller with a low drive, while at the other end Foglia's strike was pushed above the bar by Amado, who also denied Carlos Morgado and 2003 final matchwinner Vinicus Bacaro just before the break as the Azzurri ended the half in attacking fashion.

Second goal
But then Spain began the second period by scoring. Álvaro was again the creator as his shot was parried by Feller, and Daniel put the ball in on the rebound to join finals joint-leading scorers Predrag Rajić and Cirilo on five goals. Italy now needed to push and Sandro Zanetti became the latest player frustrated by Amado who went on to block an Edgar Bertoni effort.

Captain strikes
Rodríguez at 33 had won two European finals in the past but until today had not scored in this showpiece. But that changed after a fine cross from Marcelo, converted with aplomb by a man who struck twice to win the 2000 FIFA Futsal World Cup final. Grana's shot was saved by Amado, but with ten minutes left the Spain keeper was beaten by his opposite number as the advanced Feller blasted in from distance.

Azzurri shut out
That gave Italy fresh impetus and Grana took over as a flying goalkeeper, even saving from Javi Eseverri. Zanetti, Assis and Foglia shot wide and Amado stopped a Grana effort with his boot, but Spain are an experienced and formidable unit at the back and the two-time world champions became the first side to successfully defend the European crown.

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