Morgado artistry in Italy exhibition

Italy equalled the record margin of victory in the UEFA European Futsal Championship finals as their class told against Romania.

Class above
Two days ago Italy were involved in the first 0-0 draw in this competition in eight years against hosts Portugal but this afternoon they struck after 82 seconds through Carlos Morgado, who went on to complete a hat-trick. Romania defeated the Czech Republic 8-4 on their finals debut on Friday but the 2003 winners were a class above and now need only a point against the Czech Republic in Santo Tirso on Wednesday to keep up their record of reaching every semi-final, while Romania take on Portugal in Gondomar.

Early goals
The first goal was not long in coming as Italy won a corner and Anderson Pellegrini's kick was turned in by Morgado. Romania were certainly finding life difficult, and Edgar Bertoni and Adriano Foglia both forced László Klein into saves. But the goalkeeper was wrong-footed in the sixth minute when Saad Assis's shot seemed to ricochet in off Robert Lupu.

Response
Romania responded and when Cosmin Gherman's strong free-kick was parried by Alexander Feller, Lupu was unlucky to turn the rebound off target. But there was another Italy goal soon after as Lupu's shot beat Klein and was cleared off the line by Gabriel Molomfalean only for Foglia to bury his follow-up. A time-out seemed to calm Romania's nerves, and in the 14th minute they pulled a goal back. Molomfalean's free-kick was touched back by Lupu perfectly for Gherman to finish off a well-worked move. But Foglia had the last word in the half with a neat turn and shot just as Italy seemed to be being subdued.

Record equalled
It only took 43 seconds after the interval for Italy to strike again, Morgado beating Molomfalean and giving Klein no chance with his shot. Two minutes later his hat-trick was complete with a neat chip over the crouching goalkeeper and Nando Grana, top scorer in the 2005 finals, claimed his first of this tournament following an Assis back-heel. With victory secured Italy coach Alessandro Nuccorini was able to give game time to Vinicius Bacaro, making a comeback from injury along with Sandro Zanetti, though his team did not find the goal to wipe Spain's 8-2 defeat of Poland in 2001 from the record books.