Czechs hold their nerve

By Greg Demetriou at the CEZ Arena

The Czech Republic came from behind to secure an opening-day victory against Ukraine in the 2005 UEFA European Futsal Championship.

Roman returns
Michal Stríz's men were stunned by Olexiy Kudlay's opener but battled back to win it through gaols from Michal Mareš and Daniel Rajnoch. The Czechs were welcoming back Roman Mareš, who missed out on the recent FIFA Futsal World Championship because of club commitments. Despite fielding experienced names in their starting five, Ukraine had several youngsters on their bench.

Beaten finalists
The home fans in Ostrava were noisy from the off and their team started with the determination to match Italy's feat of two years ago when the host nation went all the way. Ukraine lost out to the Azzurri two years ago, having also been beaten in the 2001 final, and they appeared keen to make it third time lucky.

Koridze threat
The Mareš brothers combined superbly for the first real attack in the fourth minute. However, Olexiy Popov did well to keep out Michal Mareš's shot. Ukraine's threat has long been Serhiy Koridze and the powerful No4 seemed to thrive on the incessant drumbeats and cheers, even though they were in support of the Czechs.

Kudlay goal
Koridze's best chance came midway through the first half when he connected with a fierce volley from 15 metres that cannoned on to the crossbar and away to safety. Ukraine finally found the way through in the 12th minute when Fedir Pylypiv squared for Kudlay to convert on the goalline.

Precise finish
The Czechs were unlucky not to be level when Michael Mareš hit the crossbar just before half-time. However, seconds later he found the equaliser, controlling the ball ten metres from goal before firing past Popov. Yet the key moment of the contest was to come in the 24th minute when Ukraine lost Oleh Shaytanov to his second yellow card.

Key man
From the resultant free-kick, the Czechs took the lead - Rajnoch scoring low into the corner with the three outfield Ukrainians powerless. The 30-year-old Rajnoch is one of the senior players in the Czech lineup and he along with David Levcík and Jan Klíma proved particularly important in preserving the lead, especially when Ukraine brought on an extra attacker and Roman Mareš had sufferd an injury.

Starting lineup
Czech Republic: Jan Klíma, Vit Blazej, Daniel Rajnoch, Roman Mareš and Michal Mareš.
Ukraine: Olexiy Popov, Serhiy Koridze, Olexiy Kudlay, Serhiy Sytin and Fedir Pylypiv.