Roubaix and Nadin progress
Wednesday, August 13, 2008
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France's Roubaix Futsal and Bulgarian side FC Nadin Sofia made full use of home advantage to clinch first place in their UEFA Futsal Cup Preliminary round groups.
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Roubaix prevail
Only the top side from the six pools go through to the Main round, with Lithuania's Nautara Kaunas and FK Nikars Riga of Latvia having booked their places earlier this week. Roubaix led FC Parnassos on goal difference in Group A before today, with Politechnik Yerevan a point behind, though the Armenian outfit's hopes were ended when the Cypriot side beat Icelandic debutants Vídir Gardi 11-6, aided by six Costas Poliviou goals. Roubaix now needed a four-goal victory and led Politechnik 5-1 at half-time, eventually prevailing 7-1 with both Ibrahim Saidi and Mahmoud Sali completing hat-tricks. They now face 2005 champions Action 21 Charleroi, Romanian hosts ACS Odorheiu Secuiesc and Belarussian side Viten Orsha in Main round Group 3 next month.
Nadin delight
Nadin also led their pool on goal difference at kick-off, meaning they only needed to draw with Macedonian champions KMF Elita Tetovo to top Group C after both had beaten Ipswich Wolves. And the Bulgarian hosts, three up after 15 minutes, prevailed 5-2 at the Winter Palace Sport Hall, progressing to Main round Group 6 against Azerbaijan's Araz Naxçivan, Slov-Matic Fofo Bratislava and Swedish side Skövde AIK.
Münster consolation
It was Matchday 2 in Group F and German hosts UFC Münster bounced back from yesterday's 10-2 defeat by FC Blok Beverwijk with a 3-1 win against FC Betoon Tallinn. The Dutch side will top the pool after Friday's deciding game unless they lose by six goals to Betoon. The only pool yet to commence, Group E, gets under way in Finland on Thursday with hosts Golden Futsal Team Espoo playing Irish champions Saint Patrick's Athletic FC and Slovenia's KMN Gorica against Maltese side Scandals Futsal FC.