Hosts snatch last-gasp victory

Adriano Foglia was the hero for Italy, scoring the goal that earned them first place in Group A and put them in the semi-finals of the 2003 UEFA European Futsal Championship.

Agony for Montovanelli
With 31 seconds left on the clock against Russia the No10 scored his first goal of the competition to send the crowd in Aversa into a frenzy of delight. The impressive Carlos Montovanelli made the goal, but it was a bittersweet moment as an earlier yellow card will rule him out of Saturday's crunch match with holders Spain.

Worked hard
Italy coach Alessandro Nuccorini said: "Russia are a really great team, they had more occasions to score and maybe they deserved a win. We are really, really happy because we worked really hard tonight."

Moskalenko off
That Russia were finally breached was partly because they were down to four men. Viatcheslav Moskalenko was dismissed with 72 seconds still to play for a second yellow card. Italy capitalised, calmly stroking the ball around against their four-man opponents until Montovanelli and Foglia were able to combine.

Heads high
The semi-finalists in 2001 had everything but the end product and can hold their heads high. But it was Italy's night. With two wins from two before this evening, they knew a point would be enough. Russia had to go for the three points, aware that the Czech Republic or Slovenia could still overtake them.

Scrappy affair
Despite both sides doing their utmost for the win, the opening stages were a scrappy affair. The Russians dominated, though, with Serguei Ivanov prominent. He worked the first opening of the match in the second minute, superbly rolling the ball under his foot through to a position to strike on goal. Marco Ripesi, the Italian shot-stopper, was equal to it.

Great form
Ripesi was in great form, coming to his side's rescue on numerous subsequent occasions. As the half neared its close, the game became scrappy and disjointed, summed up by Moskalenko's first yellow card, for a foul on Rodrigo Bertoni.

Second yellow
The second period continued in the same vein, with Ripesi repelling all thrown at him. He was nearly beaten in the 25th minute, when Moskalenko fed Vladimir Grigoriev in front of goal, but he scuffed his shot. Soon afterwards there was heartbreak for Montovanelli as he earned his second yellow card of the competition.

Limit reached
With seven minutes to play, Italy reached their five-foul limit meaning any subsequent offences would be punished by a penalty shot. However, it was Russia who were to fall foul of the referees losing Moskalenko to his second yellow of the match when he brought down the blond-haired Edgar Bertoni on the left wing.

Tense time
Nuccorini sensed an opening for his team, while Evgeny Lovchev's face revealed his anxiety over the future of his side in the competition. Sure enough, Foglia picked the ball up with one thought in his mind. He played it to Montovanelli, who instantly returned the ball to his team-mate to score past a helpless Serguei Zuev.

Best promotion
Lovchev was philosophical in defeat. "We [international coaches] have been asked how we can promote this game and matches like this are the best way. I congratulate my players for their magnificent performance."