Italy represent step up for Romania

Romania were rank outsiders at the start of their first UEFA European Futsal Championship finals campaign, but their hopes were transformed by an 8-4 defeat of the Czech Republic. And if they cause another upset and beat 2003 winners Italy in their second Group A game on Sunday in Porto, Romania will be the first team into the semi-finals.

Matei heroics
The opening victory was in fact the best by any nation making their first appearance at this stage, and Romania were only one goal short of equalling the record tally for one team in a finals game, Russia's 9-6 win against the Netherlands in 1999. Florin Matei was Romania's hero, claiming both a hat-trick and the Carlsberg Man of the Match award, and he is basking in the acclaim though remains realistic about their hopes against Italy and hosts Portugal in their remaining fixtures.

Tough task
"I didn't expected it to be like this," Matei told uefa.com. "It's a big, big surprise. But despite this win I still think we only have a 30 per cent chance of qualifying. That's because Portugal and Italy are such strong teams. Nevertheless we'll do our best."

Jakab hope
Coach Zoltán Jakab has now led Romania to a new high, having been appointed not long after their first futsal team was set up in 2003, and is now looking forward to his side's first encounter with one of futsal's global forces. "I was very satisfied about my players and I hope to perform well against Italy," Jakab said. "With this result we can now start dreaming of causing a surprise in this tournament."

Bacaro back
Italy drew 0-0 with Portugal on Friday, and probably had the better of the play against the hosts. Coach Alessandro Nuccorini could welcome back Vinicius Bacaro from a knee injury and Sandro Zanetti may also return to the 12-strong matchday squad and the Azzurri chief is now looking to step up a gear. "Now we need two victories to go through," Nuccorini said. "The next game will be very difficult. It was useful to get a point considering we were playing Portugal in Portugal."

Club Romania
Friday's result ended Italy's run of 15 consecutive wins, but although they remain unbeaten in 29 games since the 2005 European semi-final against Russia, Nuccorini is a wary of a Romania team almost all of whom also play under Jakab at his club CIP Deva. "We have seen their qualification games against Belgium and Slovenia and their club team in the UEFA Futsal Cup," Nuccorini said. "Most of the players have been together the whole season. They play in a very strong way. It will be a very difficult game and we will have to show our best."