UEFA Futsal EURO 2026 Matchday 1 Saturday preview: Italy vs Portugal, Hungary vs Poland

UEFA Futsal EURO 2026 Group D kicks off at Ljubljana's Arena Stožice on Saturday as Portugal start their title defence against former champions Italy before Hungary take on Poland.

This is the last of the Matchday 1 action, with Sunday seeing the second set of Group A and B games in Riga and Kaunas respectively.

Group D: Italy vs Portugal (14:30, Ljubljana)

It was at Arena Stožice in 2018 that Portugal claimed their first Futsal EURO title, successfully defended four years later in the Netherlands, sandwiched by a FIFA Futsal World Cup in 2021 and 2022's Futsal Finalissima. While some familiar faces are missing in captain João Matos and the injured Zicky, coach Jorge Braz can still call on two-time Futsal EURO winners André Coelho, Bruno Coelho, Pany Varela and Tiago Brito, plus emerging talent like Lúcio Rocha in a stacked squad.

They have not been given an easy start against fellow two-time champions Italy, who finished behind Belarus in their qualifying group before pipping Kazakhstan in the play-offs on penalties, Jurij Bellobuono making three shoot-out saves. The Azzurri, winners in 2003 and 2014, have not got out of a major tournament group in a decade, but are never to be underestimated and their ranks including the evergreen Alex Merlim (part of their last success 12 years ago). Michele Podda has replaced injured Venâncio Cini Baldasso in the squad.

Salvatore Samperi, Italy coach: "The game against Portugal, the two-time European champions, is certainly stimulating for us. We have worked very hard during this period with the aim of eliminating what we consider to be Portugal's strengths.

"The only way to stop this Portuguese team is to play as a true team, with great concentration and each player helping each other. Our first objective for this tournament is to get through the group stage and only after that can we start dreaming of something more."

Jorge Braz, Portugal coach: "Above all else, I highlight Italy's competitive maturity. They had a very tough qualification, but they were always very well prepared for each game.

"Italy aren't just about Alex Merlin. They have many other experienced and talented players. Tomorrow is the start of the journey and the most important game is always the first one."

Group D: Hungary vs Poland (17:30, Ljubljana)

Having lost every game they played in previous finals appearances in 2005, 2010 and 2016, Hungary are looking to turn over a new leaf under experienced Spanish coach Sergio Mullor. They secured their finals return with a dramatic play-off defeat of Romania with a 39th-minute winner scored by Baltazár Büki, returning after a year out with a serious head injury.

Poland had only qualified once before they beat Hungary to make the 2018 edition at Arena Stožice, but are now in their third final tournament in a row. Coach Błażej Korczyński has been in charge for all three and can again call on goalkeeper Michał Kałuża, Michał Kubik, Mateusz Madziąg, Tomasz Kriezel and Mikołaj Zastawnik. Poland recorded some very promising results in warm-up tournaments late last year.

Błażej Korczyński, Poland coach: "We're very happy to be here, and we want to win our first-ever match at the Futsal EURO after eight attempts. We have very experienced players who played four years ago in Amsterdam and here eight years ago, so I think the team will be more relaxed.

"We had very good preparation, which included a tournament in Brazil and also two games against Futsal Champions League champions Palma, so I believe we are ready. Of course, we studied Hungary, but we are focusing more on ourselves rather than just thinking about the opponent we are facing. That's a mistake we made in the past, and we won't do it here."

Sergio Mullor, Hungary coach: "First of all, I have to congratulate my players for the effort they have made during these last few months. We are prepared and aware that it will be a very difficult tournament for us.

"Poland are a very strong team physically, but perhaps they have some difficulties when they have to take the initiative in the game. Maybe that will work in our favour."