Spain and Russia set for 'spectacular' tie

Before the UEFA European Futsal Championship kicked off, Spain and Russia were tipped to meet in the final. But circumstance has dictated that they come face to face in the last eight at 17.30CET today.

Spain dominance
Spain, as expected, topped Group D to ensure they remained in Debrecen, comfortably defeating Belarus 9-1 and Portugal 6-1. Russia booked progress from Group C with a 5-1 win against Slovenia but on Sunday night lost 4-3 to Serbia, meaning second place and a transfer from Budapest to play the holders. Surprisingly, Russia have never beaten Spain over 40 minutes but they did defeat them on penalties in the 1999 final – since when they have lost ten encounters in a row, including the 2005 EURO decider. Spain also overcame Russia to win the first final in 1996 while clubs from these nations have met in the last four UEFA Futsal Cup finals, with two victories each.

'Spectacular'
Despite his side's record against Russia and their irresistible form so far, Spain coach José Venancio López is cautious. "Russia are very difficult opponents," he told uefa.com. "By facing them in the quarter-finals, it means one of the favourites will go out. They are a very experienced team, with fantastic players. I would highlight their quality in passing and in transition from defence to attack. Many of their players have been European champions with their clubs, so they are a very experienced team. It is likely to be a very open game, very spectacular, one of those games that makes you a futsal fan. It's a life or death match."

New task
Russia coach Sergei Skorovich is in his first major tournament but in his role at MFK Viz-Sinara Ekaterinburg knows all about taking on Spanish sides in major competitions, having led them to victory against ElPozo Murcia FS in the 2008 UEFA Futsal Cup final but losing at home to Interviú Madrid in the decider last year. "We have the most important match ahead of us, a match which is a result of the way we played [against Serbia]," he said. "Now everything depends on us only. We need to get out of this difficult situation, otherwise all we're worth is a penny."

'Not scared'
Captain Konstantin Maevski is a veteran of the 2005 final in Ostrava and many big Russo-Spanish encounters with MFK Dinamo Moskva. "The Spaniards are a force in every tournament, one of the best teams in the world on par with Brazil," he said. "We are not scared of them and will do everything to progress because we want to show our real face and real strength." The winners will face the Czech Republic in the semi-finals on Thursday.