Route to the final: Dinamo

After the heartbreak of last season's UEFA Futsal Cup final - when they lost a thrilling contest in 10-9 on aggregate to Action 21 Charleroi - MFK Dinamo Moskva were determined to go one better this campaign. So they promptly recruited two of the men who scored for the Belgian side in the Moscow decider, Brazilian stars Kelson and Henrique

New coach
It was a summer of changes, as coach Yuri Rudnev left for Russian rivals Norilsky Nickel, and took last season's UEFA Futsal Cup leading scorer Sergei Ivanov with him. Assistant Alexandr Shibaev stepped up to replace Rudnev, and recruited Ukrainian goalkeeper Olexiy Popov.

Varna seen off
In the first qualifying round, they travelled to the Czech Republic for Group 2, and began against Bulgaria's SC Piccadilly Varna. Dinamo went 2-0 up, but Varna levelled before the break. But Konstantin Maevskiy restored Dinamo's lead before Joan struck twice and Alexandre Rakhimov made it 6-2. In the other game hosts FK Era-Pack Chrudim defeated Andorra's FS Cap del Carrer 5-1.

Sailing through
Dinamo then turned on the style against Cap del Carrer, winning 14-0 with Joan scoring five times and Rakhimov putting in a second-half hat-trick. They then faced Chrudim, who had drawn 4-4 with Varna, and Dinamo sailed to a 6-0 victory that took them through with the best record in any first qualifying round group this season.

Beograd hold Dinamo
In January, Dinamo were in second qualifying round Group B against hosts KMF Marbo Beograd, FC Shakhtar Donetsk and their previous nemeses, Charleroi. Not only had Dinamo lost Henrique to injury and signed another Brazilian in Tatu, but Shibaev had stepped into another role with Viktor Papaev the new head coach. Matchday 1 proved tricky as Dinamo found themselves 1-0, 3-2 and 4-3 down against Beograd in the first half, before Maevski sealed a 4-4 draw with 12 minutes left.

Revenge
Then came the meeting with Charleroi. The holders had lost 4-1 to Shakhtar, but within four minutes were 2-0 up against Dinamo. The Russian champions did not panic, and Pelé, Charleroi old boy Kelson, Nicolas, Maevski and Joan all struck in a 5-2 win, Alex scoring a late consolation as the 2005 victors crashed out.

Sirilo strike
However, Dinamo still needed a result against Shakhtar, already qualified thanks to another 4-1 win against Beograd. Dinamo were keen to finish top and avoid a likely semi-final against Boomerang Interviú, and Sirilo's 34th-minute goal gave Dinamo a 1-0 triumph and first place.

Not cowed
So instead of Boomerang, Dinamo's opponents in the new semi-final round were Kairat Almaty. A 4,000-capacity crowd packed the Baluan Sholak Sport Palace in what was a big occasion for Kazakhstan. Dinamo were not cowed and Olexiy Kudlay scored on four minutes. Tatu and Rakjimov then increased the lead in the second half, and Dinamo returned to Moscow 3-0 up.

Final place sealed
With the final so close, Dinamo were determiend not to let it slip, and Pelé settled their nerves six minutes into the second leg. Cacau levelled the scoreline on the night in the 19th minute, but before the break Kelson made it 2-1. Tatu extended the advantage on 27 minutes, and although Gustavo pulled one back from distance, he was then sent off and Kudlay immediately struck. Pavel Kobzar secured an 8-2 aggregate win in the final minute.