Spain offer Belarus ultimate debut test

Spain begin their bid for a third straight UEFA European Futsal Championship title against first-time qualifiers Belarus in Debrecen on Wednesday with the holders' coach José Venancio López warning that their novice opponents will play "the match of their lives".

Contrast
These nations have never met but with Spain having won two FIFA Futsal World Cups and four European titles, while Belarus are making their bow in a major tournament, it is clear that Venancio López's side are favourites to strike first in Group D, which also contains Portugal. However, while Spain won all of their 15 fixtures in 2009 and have not lost over 40 minutes for four years, Venancio López knows danger could lurk.

'Their final'
"In principle, we are favourites, but we know well about the difficulty of any final tournament match," Venancio López said. "For Belarus, it is the match of their lives. It is their final. They have improved a lot in recent years and we have to congratulate them on their qualification. Their work has finally paid off. In World Cup qualification they even managed to draw 1-1 against Russia, which shows their potential. Nevertheless, experience could be a decisive factor."

Injuries
By his own admission, Venancio López's preparations were hampered by injuries to Álvaro, Fernandao, Daniel, Jordi Torrás, Kike and Juanra, but the coach said: "We hope that they will be able to perform well even if they are not at their top level. All the players are now fit, it is just that some of them are not at the top of their form."

Belarus depleted
Belarus have had arguably even bigger problems coming into the finals as 2008/09 player of the year Vadim Lushkovski misses the tournament following appendicitis surgery and Ilya Gurin, Eduard Bobrov and Vladimir Zhdanovich have also been ruled out injured. They tested themselves in preparations by playing Spain's fellow 2008 World Cup semi-finalists Brazil, Italy and Russia, losing all those games but gaining valuable experience.

'No weak points'
Coach Valeri Dosko said: "Spain are the most titled team here and the most experienced. They almost have no weak points." As for their approach, he added: "If we succeed on the counterattack, play tight without making mistakes in defence, and also have huge luck, then we will have the chance of beating Spain. With all respect to other nations, Spain are clear favourites. If we beat them, then we will become European champions!"