Pavićević predicts Serbia surprise

Serbia are at their first UEFA European Futsal Championship since Yugoslavia qualified in 1999 and are duly many people's outsiders in Group B, where they meet holders Spain, two-time runners-up Ukraine, and today's opponents Russia, second two years ago. Nonetheless, Serbia captain Bojan Pavićević is insistent that the only team in the group never to have reached the final can make the last four.

Spirit
"The spirit in our team is really good," Pavićević told uefa.com. "We don't have to win the group, we can come second. This is our chance and we have focused everything on our first game against Russia, the most important game in the tournament for us. If we win, we have a good chance to go through, if we lose we will not have a real chance against Spain."

Chance taken
There is a certain irony about Serbia meeting Russia and Spain in their first two matches, as those are the sides who between them denied Pavićević's team in qualifying in the past three editions. This time Serbia qualified with wins against the Netherlands and Finland and a draw with Azerbaijan, games Pavićević missed through suspension. "Fortunately, we were not drawn with Spain and Russia in qualifying," he said. "If such a situation had happened before, we could have qualified sooner. It was a big chance and we don't miss chances like that."

Sirilo threat
Pavićević has an important role at the back for Serbia, and he knows who he will be watching closest today. "Our most important task is to stop Sirilo, he is a very good forward," the 32-year-old said. "It is important for us to stop them in front of goal."

Club bond
But Serbia have a big weapon themselves – seven of their squad, including Pavićević, are from the same club, KMF Marbo Beograd. "This is very important for us, because so many of us have played together for years for the same club," Pavićević said. "It gives us a good understanding, we know each other inside out."