Santos set for Scottish first

Fair City Santos from Perth will be Scotland's first representatives in the UEFA Futsal Cup next month after clinching the national Futsal Premier League title.

Tight race
Santos had won all seven regular-season games and progressed with Glasgow City, Perth North Muirton and Edinburgh United to last weekend's play-offs in Perth. In a tight race, Santos defeated North Muirton 10-6 in their final match to pip 2005 Scottish champions Glasgow on goal difference. Santos player-manager Mark Potter said: "I'd like to say how tremendously proud of the players I am and we are delighted to be Scotland's first-ever representatives at European level. The level of competition in the national league, particularly among the top sides, was excellent. To come out on top is a great achievement for the club."

'Tough matches'
His team will now stage UEFA Futsal Cup preliminary round Group A from 13-16 September, where they will play French title-holders Roubaix Futsal and two other tournament debutants, FC Adana Yerevan of Armenia and Finland's Futsal Mad Max for the one available berth in the Main round against Sporting Clube de Portugal, Clearex Chorzów and KMF Alfa Parf Skopje. Potter added: "We know we are in for three very tough games in the UEFA Futsal Cup qualifying tournament, but we will work extremely hard to try to progress further."