Spain steeled for EURO challenge

Spain are aiming for a third straight UEFA European Futsal Championship title in January but coach José Venancio López believes the route to victory in the final in Debrecen on 30 January will be tough.

Group opponents
The holders begin their campaign on 20 January against Belarus, and four days later take on Portugal, who they beat on penalties in Porto two years ago to reach the final. Those familiar opponents are of particular concern to Venancio López.

Rivalry
"Portugal are our neighbours and we have faced each other several times," he told uefa.com. "In the European Championship we went on to penalties, it was a difficult match where we drew 2-2. This year we have played them twice, where it proved hard to win, we had to give everything. We won 1-0 in Soria and 4-1 in Segovia. Portugal are always very difficult opponents. [Belarus] are a typical Soviet team with a system resembling the Ukrainians and Russians."

Contenders
Russia, indeed, are a team Venancio López picks out as a particular threat if Spain survive the group stage. "It gets harder every time," he said. "Everyone thinks we're favourites, but we know that Russia are at a high level and have improved a lot in recent years. I believe that they're playing better and more as a collective unit. Italy are very strong rivals; they're always a very competitive team."