Poles keep on going

Poland have kept their ambitions of securing a place at the 2004 FIFA Futsal World Championship alive after cruising to first place in Group 7.

No problems
The Poles will now go into the ten-team play-offs, from which five victorious nations will go on to represent UEFA at the finals in Chinese Taipei late next year. They made sure of their involvement in the play-offs by comfortably defeating Azerbaijan and Cyprus in the mini-tournament held in Larnaca.

Two doubles
The first match saw Poland take on Azerbaijan and they raced into a two-goal lead through Wojcjech Pieta and Krzysztof Jasinski, who each went on to score again in a 6-1 victory. Natig Mammadkarimov did have the honour of scoring a last-minute consolation for the Azeris.

Kusia hits four
Poland were even more emphatic winners in the next fixture, making sure of pole position in the group by defeating the Cypriots 13-0. Krzysztof Kusia profited the most in the rout, scoring four goals for his side who never looked like losing once Marek Widzicki had found the net in the first minute.

Lambrou leaves it late
The final match between Azerbaijan and Cyprus was academic but it was still a keenly-fought contest that finished 4-4. Patroklos Pantelas ensured the Cypriots held a 2-1 half-time lead, and Thomas Tsolakis extended the advantage just after the interval. However, the Azeris then scored three times in succession with Hikmat Baghirov putting them 4-3 in front. However, Marios Lambrou ensured it was honours even with a goal two minutes from time.