Coming together for Futsal

The future of Futsal in Europe is on the agenda for the first UEFA Futsal Conference, which begins in Coverciano, Italy, tomorrow.

Three-day gathering
Europe's football associations will gather for three days to discuss recent and future developments in this sector of the sport, which has evolved into a popular game in its own right over the past decade. UEFA has recognised Futsal's growth by introducing the UEFA European Futsal Championship for national teams, and the UEFA Futsal Cup for club sides.

Biggest ever
The event will be the biggest ever meeting of experts in this field of football - a five-a-side version of the game which enjoys considerable appeal in southern and eastern Europe. The game can be played indoors or in the open, but a smaller, size four, ball is used, and there are no side walls or boards.

Guest presentations
Guest speakers at the Coverciano conference will include Spain coach Javier Lozano, whose team hold the European Futsal Championship title, and Faustino Pérez, who coached the Spanish team Playas de Castellón to the inaugural UEFA Futsal Cup title earlier this year.

Laws of the game
International Futsal referee Jyrki Filppu will address the laws of the game, while Croatian international Mico Martic will examine Futsal from a players' perspective. UEFA Futsal Committee chairman Petr Fousek will focus on the key aspects of Futsal's future development.

Next step
"The conference is the next step for Futsal in Europe," said Mr Fousek. "I am sure this event will open new doors for the development of Futsal and increase the chances of further development. For the first time, it will bring together all Futsal representatives from the continent to exchange ideas and experiences."