Czech character impresses Menichelli

Italy and the Czech Republic meet in the first UEFA European Futsal Chanpionship quarter-final in Debrecen on Monday having taken very different routes to the last eight.

Czech relief
Roberto Menichelli's Azzurri cruised through from Group B, beating Belgium 4-0 and Ukraine 4-2 to ensure they would remain at their tournament base. As Group A runners-up, the Czech Republic have had to transfer from Budapest but that is a small price to pay as having lost 6-1 to Azerbaijan, they trailed hosts Hungary on Saturday only to come back to lead 5-4, concede an equaliser then score the winner in the dying seconds, just as in qualification against Croatia.

Character
Menichelli, openly relieved not to have to face the hosts in front of a partisan crowd, watched the game on television, and told uefa.com: "The final result surprised everybody a little. Looking at the Czech comeback, it is clear their character and their desire to stay in the tournament made them play beyond themselves."

Respect
Still, Italy have history on their side – they have never failed to finish in the EURO top four and are unbeaten in six games against the Czech Republic, most recently beating them 4-0 in the 2007 finals. However, Menichelli said: "I will demand maximum concentration as usual, and respect for our opponents."

Tactics
Czech coach Tomás Neumann, who deployed a flying goalkeeper for most of the second half against the hosts, has made a habit of leading his side to stunning comebacks, but he is aware that 2007 runners-up Italy are unlikely to allow them as many chances as Hungary did. "We will have a bit of time to think about our tactics but I am sure we will come up with something," he said. "I don't really think it's a good idea to use the flying goalkeeper from the start!"

Frič warning
David Frič, the flying goalkeeper that put the Czechs 5-4 up against Hungary, is also fully conversant with Italy's ability, but is looking to a game in the 2006 Grand Prix for inspiration. "We saw both of their games and they are very good," Frič said. "They are without some of their Brazilian-born players, so we hope they will not be as strong as in the past. Three years ago we drew 4-4 with them in Brazil and we hope we get a chance to win this time. We must keep our feet on the ground and start playing better. Against Italy going 3-0 down would be game over."