Hungary wise to Azeri futsal prowess

Hungary coach Mihály Kozma knows from experience not to underestimate Azerbaijani opposition with the UEFA European Futsal Championship hosts determined not to freeze on opening night at the Papp László Arena.

Bitter experience
The two nations met in a qualifier for the 2001 finals, prior to Azerbaijan's influx of Brazilian-born talent, with Hungary's Gábor Nagy and Azerbaijan's Rizvan Farzallyev and Namig Mammadkarimov featuring in a 2-2 draw. The 53-year-old Hungary coach Kozma, however, has more recent experience, having taken on Azeri champions Araz Naxçivan, who now feature nine members of the national team's finals squad, in the Elite Round of the 2008/09 UEFA Futsal Cup with his former club ACS Odorheiu Secuiesc. The Romanian side lost the match on 11 November 2008 by a 6-4 scoreline, and Kozma is well aware that it would be a big mistake to underestimate first-time finalists Azerbaijan. "I don't think Azerbaijan are dark horses because I saw their champions in the Futsal Cup; we played them when I was a coach in Romania," he said.

Heroes in waiting
Hungary, however, should not be overawed by the occasion, though a big crowd is expected for the opening Group A fixture. "We want to win our matches; show me a coach who doesn't," he said. "Azerbaijan are a good team but our players have to do their best, regardless of the pressure of having a full house. These players should be idols in Hungary; I want futsal to be a more popular sport here, so the EURO is a great opportunity for us. I have been to several EUROs and I can say that this is the best arena I have seen and the infrastructure is very good, in Budapest and also in Debrecen. I am very proud to be here."

Absent friends
His Azerbaijan counterpart Alesio, a Brazilan like so many of his players, has had his share of problems in the run-up to the game. Rather than name a 14-man squad, he has come to Budapest with just 12 players, and one of them – forward Rajab Farajzada – is serving a one-match suspension for the meeting with the hosts. He batted off the reasons behind the absent players by saying: "We have some general problems, but we will do our best with the players we have."

Universal language
With no fewer than five naturalised Brazilians in his squad, there was concern that language problems might also undermine the Azeris, but Alesio was adamant that this was not an issue. "Our team is mainly Russian speaking," he said. "Most of the players learned the language while playing in Russia. Language is not a big deal for us, but in terms of the language of futsal, Brazilian players love to attack; that's their purpose. The players understand each other well enough."