Kovačević eager to avoid Spain barrier

Defeats in their three previous competitive meetings with Russia will not deter Serbia as they bid for top spot in UEFA European Futsal Championship Group C on Sunday, with the desire to stay in Budapest – and avoid playing Spain – motivating coach Aca Kovačević.

World-beaters
Russia beat Serbia 5-2 in a qualifier for the 2005 edition, and then 5-3 in the 2007 finals before edging out Kovačević's side 3-2 in 2008 FIFA Futsal World Cup qualifying. The margin of victory has been reducing by one goal with every game, implying that Serbia are slowly closing the gap. "We know Russia very well," said Kovačević, whose team trail Russia on goal difference after both defeated Slovenia to book quarter-final places. "They are one of the best teams in the world at the moment but we have to do our best to finish top of the group and maybe stay in Budapest."

Spain imperative
The group winners will get to play their last-eight tie back at the Papp László Arena on Tuesday, and seem more likely to avoid Group D powerhouses Spain, who are expected to beat Portugal to top spot in their section to earn the right to face the Group C runners-up over in Debrecen. "Our dream for the quarter-finals is to avoid Spain," said Kovačević. "They are the reigning European champions and they were fantastic in their first game. We would rather face Portugal. No team in this tournament wants to play Spain."

'Full throttle'
A 2-0 win against Slovenia in their opening game of the tournament has ensured that Serbia – like Russia – are guaranteed a knockout berth regardless of the result of the game against Russia, but like his coach, MFK Dina Moskva forward Marko Perić knows that they can ill afford defeat. "Trying to avoid Spain the play-offs by beating Russia is very important," he told uefa.com. "However it will be equally hard against Russia and Spain. We need to play at full throttle; it's going to be exciting."

Skorovich promise
Serbia's Vladimir Lazić and Russia captain Konstantin Maevski are both within a booking of a one-match ban after receiving yellow cards in their opening fixtures. Russia coach Sergei Skorovich, meanwhile, is promising an improvement on the form that saw them beat Slovenia 5-1 in their opener. "We allowed Slovenia to score once, which is a bit unfortunate, but it is what it is," he said. "We will try to improve in quality with each match. We cannot think about the quarter-finals, but only about the match against Serbia."