Ekaterinburg aiming for futsal crown

Kairat task
Ekaterinburg lie third in the Russian Super League, a 0-0 weekend draw at MFK CSKA Moskva leaving them even further adrift of final four hosts MFK Dinamo Moskva. But a victory against Kairat Almaty in the capital on Friday and Ekaterinburg are in the UEFA Futsal Cup final at the first time of asking. "We have already proved much by progressing to the final four in our debut European season," said Ekaterinburg coach Sergei Skorovich. "There are no easy rivals at this stage. So we are treating the semi-final against Kairat with appropriate gravity."

Challenge
The 35-year-old, once a player for Ekaterinburg himself, has based his squad around domestic talent and does not see his side as the favourites against the team that retained the Kazakhstan title by beating Aktobe BTA 11-4 in a play-off last Wednesday. "I have watched many Kairat games in the Kazakhstan league and I know they have plenty of high-class players, many good Brazilians. Besides Kairat are not new to European competition, unlike us."

Domestic preparations
While Kairat have completed their domestic campaign, Ekaterinburg are in a tight race with TTG-JAVA Yugorsk to finish runners-up behind Dinamo, a position which earned Viz-Sinara their European debut a year ago as the Moscow team won the UEFA Futsal Cup. "'Perhaps the disadvantage for our opponents is that they have already finished their league," said Skorovich. "Viz are battling for the silver at the moment. Against Kairat, much will depend on the teams' readiness for the match in hand."

Dinamo aim
In the league this season Skorovich's side secured just one point in four meetings with Dinamo and were denied victory 14 seconds from time in the first leg of the Russian Cup final last month, with the return not until May. But they could meet for the European title on Sunday. "If we get through the semis it would be interesting to take on Dinamo in the final," the coach said. "But are not thinking of the final for now."