Ukraine blow hot and cold for Tveryankin

Azerbaijan goalkeeper Andrey Tveryankin is "in two minds" about quarter-final opponents Ukraine, saying "If we want to make a name for ourselves and if we have any ambition, we have to beat them."

Mixed reports
The tournament's oldest player at 42, Tveryankin told uefa.com he had not been entirely convinced by the Group B runners-up. "I am in two minds about them," he said. "I know they are a good team, but they played two completely different matches. Against Belgium they were confident and dynamic but I don't know what happened against Italy.

Azeri ambition
Final tournament debutants Azerbaijan have come to the UEFA European Futsal Championship with no reputation, but they are rapidly becoming a side to fear after winning Group A, and now Tveryankin says: "If we want to make a name for ourselves and if we have any ambition, we have to beat them. Psychology will be key, while skill will take the backseat."

'How far can we go?'
Alesio's side includes players born in both Brazil and Russia, but Tveryankin insists that they are 100 per cent Azeri at heart. "Everyone says we're just the naturalised Brazilians, but these people play under the Azeri flag, which makes them Azerbaijani," he said, adding: "How far can we go? Only this game will show that."

Unknown quantity
The sides have never met before, but as most of their opponents have found at the tournament, previous meetings with Azerbaijan have very little bearing in games against Alesio's multi-ethnic side. They may have brought only 12 players to the tournament – rather than the standard 14 – but with no disciplinary or injury issues, that has yet to be even a minor issue.

Travel sickness
Runners-up in Group B, Gennadiy Lysenchuk's side are not looking forward to switching from Debrecen to Budapest, the coach saying: "We have got used to things in Debrecen and don't want to change." Having switched off-colour goalkeeper Vladyslav Lysenko for Volodymyr Kardash midway through the 4-2 loss to Italy, he is yet to decide which custodian will start against Azerbaijan.

Cheporniuk plan
Player Serhiy Cheporniuk, meanwhile, admitted that the success of Alesio's side had caught him cold. "Honestly, I didn't expect the tournament debutants to do so well. It's crucial not to concede first or the Brazilians will be like ducks to water, keeping the ball and making fast counterattacks, which is their strong suit. They will want possession from the start, but we will try and stop them."