Azzurri stroll through as group winners

Italy clinched first place in UEFA European Futsal Championship Group A with a comfortable defeat of the Czech Republic that keeps them apart from holders Spain in Friday's semi-finals.

Russia rematch
Sandro Zanetti and Adriano Foglia struck before two Fabiano Assad goals ensured Italy's place in the last four, and they finished top ahead of Portugal on goal difference. The Azzurri will continue their bid to reclaim the trophy they won in 2003 against the team that eliminated them 4-2 in the semi-finals two years later, Russia.

Confident finish
Knowing anything but a heavy defeat would ensure a semi-final place, Italy began the game by dominating possession. Foglia and Grana both produced saves from busy Czech goalkeeper Tomáš Meller, but he was finally beaten following a neat Italy move which ended with Edgar Bertoni feeding Sandro Zanetti for a confident finish on eleven minutes.

In control
At the other end, the Czech Republic's reliable Mareš brothers came to life, Michael feeding Roman but Italy goalkeeper Alexander Feller was equal to his shot as he was to another effort from the same player later in the half. Foglia was then denied by Meller following a clever Assad back-heel as the Azzurri resumed their comfortable grip on proceedings.

Stunning strike
The second goal arrived two minutes into the second half and it was a stunner from Foglia, who controlled a Grana cross on his chest and produced an acrobatic bicycle kick that Meller could do nothing about. Lukáš Rešetár came close almost immediately but Czech opportunities remained rare.

Win sealed
Zdeněk Sláma did break through but Feller was equal to his shot and on the rebound Carlos Montovanelli blocked from Tomáš Sluka. However, Fabiano's neat effort made it 3-0 eight minutes from time and another of his shots deflected in soon after to ensure the Czech Republic, already eliminated on Sunday, ended without a point.