Inaugural cup lights up Lisbon

Convincing winners
The Spanish side were always the favourites to lift the inaugural trophy but made sure they did it in style. They won all three of their group games in convincing fashion before a 4-0 semi-final victory over home side Sporting Clube de Portugal. That led to the final meeting against the impressive Action 21 Charleroi, but the Belgian side were brushed aside 5-1.

'Anything is possible'
Ricardo Menezes da Silva, the coach of defeated Charleroi, captured exactly why the sport is so popular in scores of countries around the world. "Futsal is great, you can change the game in one second," he said. "Anything is possible." Those that witnessed the games in Lisbon's Pavilhão Atlântico between 24 February and 3 March can testify to that. It is not all about skill and speed though, disciplined defending is just as vital for a team to succeed.

Dazzling exhibition
Futsal fever really took hold for the spectators that saw Sporting pip AS Roma to a semi-final place with a 5-5 draw against the Italian club in their last group game. The match was watched by 6,500 supporters and see-sawed back and forth between both sides in a dazzling exhibition of the frenetic indoor sport.

'Lot of courage'
Only a last-gasp equaliser from José Dias saw off the Italians, who needed a win to progress and had Mirko Antonazzi in prolific form, the Roma striker hitting a thrilling hat-trick. Unfortunately for the Sporting fans, their side could not overcome Castellón but no one doubted there were positive signs for the future. Sporting coach Beto Aranha said: "We had a lot of courage and worked very hard. We have to take the team to the next level and the team is trying to get some professional players."

Split always solid
Roma started the tournament in disappointing fashion with a 2-0 defeat by MNK Split 1700, who went an astonishing 99 minutes without conceding a goal. After Roma's 26-year-old Argentinian defender Leandro Planas had got the game under way with the first kick of the first UEFA Futsal Cup, Split put on a masterly defensive display. Goalkeeper Aljosa Stanicic and defender Ivica Podrug were particularly impressive throughout the Croatian club's run to the last four. Stanicic's first goal conceded in the competition came in their third group match courtesy of Abdulah Spahic's 19th-minute goal for MNK Kaskada Gracanica.

Valiant play
However, the Bosnia-Herzegovnian club were seen off 6-2 and despite some valiant play, Gracanica were one of two clubs to leave Portugal without a win. Clearex-Chórzow of Poland also did themselves proud but departed without a point. Hungarian side CSÖ-Montage Budapest FC ensured they went home on a high after the group stage by seeing off Chórzow 6-1 in their last group match.

No shame
For these clubs, there was no shame in an early exit. All had come through mini-qualifying tournaments in 2001 involving the best club teams from 27 countries. That the likes of Castellón and Charleroi were far superior was a reflection of their own professionalism and array of internationals, notably from Brazil - a country with a fantastic Futsal pedigree - rather than the shortcomings of others.

'A very good event'
"The co-operation of UEFA, the Portuguese FA and Sporting Clube de Portugal ensured it was very good event," said Petr Fousek, the chairman of UEFA's Futsal Committee. He agreed there were "differences" in the standard but said: "Most of the clubs had a lot of excellent players in their squads, and in the latter stages of the tournament, we saw Futsal played at its best."

'Extremely happy'
Mr Fousek added: "The most important fact is that UEFA has started this competition and that all the associations in Europe who recognise Futsal are extremely happy that there is something to compete for at international club level."