Boomerang bound for Brazil

Boomerang Interviú are hoping to warm up for the UEFA Futsal Cup final in style by defending the Intercontinental Futsal Cup title in Brazil this week.

Three European winners
The tournament, being staged in the Brazilian town of Brusque, is in its ninth edition, though it is the third since FIFA gave it recognition. Two European sides - Dina Moskva in 1997 and Spain's Caja Segovia FS three years later - had broken the Brazilian monopoly of the title when Boomerang and SL Benfica took part in Ciudad Real last season, and Jesús Candelas's team beat Malwee/Jaraguà 5-2 to take trophy.

Group B challenge
Their defence begins tomorrow in Group B against Japanese champions Predator, before a Saturday showdown with Brazilian giants Carlos Barbosa, who won the competition in 2004. The group winners then play off for the title on Sunday with the top team from Group A, consisting of South American champions Malwee/Jaraguá, continental runners-up Universidad Autonoma de Asuncion of Paraguay and ServCorp FC of the United States.

'Different conditions'
Candelas, who will travel with a full team except for Luis Arrizabalaga due to his broken toe, said: "We're very motivated because we're going to Brazil to defend our title. I don't know if the trip and the different conditions will affect us, we'll see that once we get there and to play against the Brazilians will represent a bigger effort. It would be very important for us to prove that the Spanish aren’t only superior at national-team level, but also at club level."

'Excellent talent'
Looking ahead of Saturday, he added: "Carlos Barbosa are a team in rebuilding and they’ve found excellent talent in Brazil, so this match is the key to the championship because Barbosa will be working hard to make things tough for us. It'll be a match to give us the feeling of being in a true competition before we face a possible final."

Moscow match-up
However, there was a slight setback at home last week then they lost 6-1 to Azkar Lugo FS to fall four points behind El Pozo Murcia Turistica FS. That pair remain favourite to reach the finals of the eight-team play-offs, scheduled for after Boomerang take on MFK Dinamo Moskva for the European title. Boomerang are at home in the first leg on Saturday 29 April, with the return eight days later.