Futsal Cup ready for kick-off

The first UEFA Futsal Cup starts on Monday with eight teams from across Europe competing in Lisbon, Portugal.

Excitement and skill
This is the first UEFA-organised tournament for Futsal clubs, following the success of the UEFA European Futsal Championship, and promises to be high on excitement and skill. The finalists all earned their place after winning qualifying mini-tournaments, ensuring an high standard of the fast-paced five-a-side sport will be seen over the coming days.

Special surface
All the games are being staged at the Pavilhão Atlậntico, located on the banks of the Tagus river. It is a state-of-the-art facility, having hosted major rock concerts and sporting events, and a special playing surface called 'sport court' has been installed for the UEFA Futsal Cup.

Sporting chance
Along with Lisbon-based Sporting Clube de Portugal, the seven other sides in action are AS Roma (Italy), Action 21 Charleroi (Belgium), MNK 1700 Split (Croatia), MNK Kaskada Gracanica (Bosnia-Herzegovina), Playas de Castellón (Spain), CSÖ Montage Budapest FC (Hungary) and Clearex-Chorzòw (Poland).

Final on Sunday
The teams have been divided into two groups of four, and will play each other once. After the group games on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday, the two teams from each group will then progress to the semi-finals on Saturday. The winners of those two matches will then contest the final on Sunday.

Full coverage
Monday’s first match of four games being played sees Croatian club Split up against Italian contenders Roma. uefa.com will be providing coverage of all the matches over the next week.