Spain through after shoot-out drama

Holders Spain are through to the UEFA European Futsal Championship semi-finals after defeating Russia in an epic penalty shoot-out following the first goalless knockout game in the tournament's history.

Czech tie
Thought by many to be a probable final rather than a last-eight tie, the match was as tight as could be expected between two sets of players so familiar with each other from club and national-team fixtures. Russia goalkeeper Sergei Zeuv was particularly impressive but in the end it was Spain No1 Luis Amado who made the decisive save in shoot-out sudden death, setting up a tie against the Czech Republic here on Thursday.

Early efforts
Having scored 15 goals in their two Group D wins here, Spain began full of confidence and threatened early, Fernandao's shot parried by Zuev but Kike putting the rebound narrowly wide. Zuev also did well to stop Borja's volley from close range while at the other end Amado saw Sergei Sergeev's drive late but still tipped it away.

Goalkeepers impress
That pattern remained that neither side was able to take control and the goalkeepers continued to live up to their respective reputations. Zuev used his legs to deny Javi Rodríguez and Fernandao's shot was deflected wide, while Cirilo nearly deflected in a Konstantin Maevski effort. Daniel and Borja also were unable to beat Zuev late in the first half and Amado kicked away a Pavel Chistopolov effort.

Deadlock
Spain continued to attack after the break. Daniel's back-heel was stopped by Zuev, who also dived to keep out a Jordi Torras long-range strike, and denied the same player one-handed from a free-kick before tipping over Kike's rising drive. Russia were having less possession and in the 34th minute conceded their fifth foul, but that seemed to spur them on and they ended regulation time in improved fashion despite Spain employing Kike as a flying goalkeeper and continuing to make Zuev work.

Shoot-out
At 4-4 after ten penalties, the shoot-out went into sudden death, where both sides scored twice more. Fernandao then converted to give Spain the initiative before the nerveless Amado saved from Konstantin Timoschenkov.