Reshuffled Azzurri impress in Serbia

Italy got the better of fellow 2010 UEFA European Futsal Championship finalists Serbia in two friendlies this week, drawing 1-1 before earning a 3-1 victory.

Debutant strikes
In Monday's fixture in Kragujevac, Daniel Giasson – who helped Italy to the UEFA European Under-21 Futsal Tournament final in December – struck seven minutes into his senior debut before Vladan Cvetanović equalised for the home side early in the second half. The following day in Lazarevac, Vidan Bojović put Serbia in front on the stroke of half-time but in the 28th minute Vampeta Dos Santos and Giasson turned the game before Humberto Honorio confirmed victory for the 2007 European runners-up in the dying seconds.

Menichelli pleased
Azzurri coach Roberto Menichelli, who succeeded Alessandro Nuccorini prior to qualifying, took the opportunity of Italy's first games since they clinched a finals place in March to blood some young players, his squad having an average age of 23. "I wanted to see some new faces in action, and I'm satisfied with what I saw," he said. "I wanted to see if it was possible to include new players in my project, and this was the perfect occasion. We're working hard to build the right team for the future. I wanted to experiment and from this point of view these two friendlies have been really useful."

Debrecen draw
Menichelli's side will be among the top tier of seeds for the finals draw at 16.00CET on 24 September at the Kölcsey Convention Centre, Debrecen, while Serbia will be in the second of the three four-team pots. The finals will be played from 19-30 January 2010 in Hungary.