Czechs fear transformed Azeris

The Czech Republic have won all three of their previous games against Azerbaijan, but as the sides meet again in Budapest, coach Tomáš Neumann fears a wind of change may be blowing through Group A.

Narrowing gap
In 1995, in qualifying for the UEFA European Futsal Tournament that preceded the modern Championship, the Czech Republic beat Azerbaijan 10-2, but the gap between the sides closed in subsequent fixtures. In qualifying for the 2000 FIFA Futsal World Cup, the score was 8-4. In the 2008 edition of that tournament, it was just 3-2.

Turning tide
Since then, persistent injuries have meant the Czechs can no longer call on their one-time team leaders, brothers Michal and Roman Mareš, while the Azerbaijani ranks have been swelled by a flood of Brazilian-born talent, aiding them to a 3-1 win against hosts Hungary on Tuesday on their finals debut, leaving them a point away from the quarter-finals. Neumann feels the tables have turned entirely, telling uefa.com: "The favourites are Azerbaijan because they have so many Brazilians."

'Young squad'
The 39-year-old coach added of Alesio's side: "I have seen a lot of their matches on DVD; they have five Brazilian players and a few more born in Russia. For us, they are a very good team. We have a young squad. We have had to leave the Mareš brothers at home, but I hope that we have a solid unit. I guess we will have to see."

Arch tormentors
Getting off to a good start against such opposition will be no picnic, as the Czechs learned from watching Biro Jade and Thiago torment Hungary in their opening-night win against the hosts. Alesio, however, warned ominously: "Biro Jade and Thiago are great, but so are my other players. It's not about individuals. My best player is the team."

Club parallels
The Brazilian coach felt there were parallels with the two teams, formed as they are around club sides; Araz Naxçivan for Azerbaijan and FC Era-Pack Chřudím for the Czech Republic. That, however, was of little concern for 42-year-old Azerbaijani keeper Andrey Tveryankin, who was between the posts for the national sides' last meeting in Chrudim.

'A jolly good team'
"They're a jolly good team," said the chatty shot-stopper. "The Czechs have good battling qualities, so I don't think they'll just roll over." Promising no repeat of his side's subdued second-half performance against the hosts, the tournament's oldest player added: "The Czechs are stronger than Hungary, but we will be stronger next time too."