Interviú face title challenge

Interviú Madrid commence their UEFA Futsal Cup defence in Elite round Group C on Thursday but reaching the finals will not be straightforward. Their last opponents will be ambitious Czech hosts FK Era-Pack Chrudim and Ukrainian side FC Time Lviv also stand in their way, along with KMN Puntar of Slovenia.

FK Era-Pack Chrudim
The dominant side in the Czech Republic have won all ten of their fixtures this term, beating 1. FC Nejzbach Vysoké Mýto 10-1 on Friday. Chrudim have been pipped to the finals by Kairat Almaty in the last two seasons but are hoping for better having moved this mini-tourmament from their usual home to the 10,000-seater ČEZ Arena in Pardubice. Alongside Czech stalwarts like goalkeeper Tomáš Meller, striker Radek Mikan, the talented Lukáš Rešetár and experienced brothers Roman and Michal Mareš, they have added Brazilian pair Cacau and Pica Pau from Kairat along with their compatriot Max. Coach Ota Stejskal said: "I hoped for spectacular opponents before the draw, but [Interviú] are perhaps too much so! There is no better side in world futsal, but it doesn't mean that we will give up. We have a stronger squad than last year and also a higher aim."

Main round: FK Nikars Riga 10-1, FK Nautara Kaunas 8-1, Hurtap Łęczyca 5-3 (Group 2 winners)

Key players: Lukáš Rešetár, Roman Mareš, Pica Pau, Cacau

Interviú Madrid
Interviú, who became the first three-time UEFA Futsal Cup winners in Ekaterinburg in April, reappointed the coach that masterminded the 2004 and 2006 triumphs, Jesús Candelas, at the end of October, and are top in Spain having come from three goals behind to draw 3-3 at fellow European entrants ElPozo Murcia FS on Saturday. However, playmaker Gabriel believes there is room for improvement, saying: "We're adapting well to the new coach but we realise we're still a long way off the level we would like to be at."

Main round: Bye

Key players: Luis Amado (goalkeeper), Borja, Jordi Torras.

FC Time Lviv
Time won their first Ukrainian title last season to earn a European debut and have proved it is no fluke as they have 25 points from nine games this season, level with former UEFA Futsal Cup semi-finalists FC Shakhtar Donetsk. However, their league campign has been on hiatus due to the swine flu epidemic and coach Stanislav Goncharenko said: "The pause in the league will help us calm down and prepare for the Elite round. It's almost like we're in the incubator. Our players are forbidden to visit public places, so they're a bit dejected. Our only victim Vitalii Skoryi is currently quarantined. Interviú Madrid from Europe's best futsal league are the strongest opposition. Era-Pack Chrudim have also signed three Brazilians. Puntar are probably less stable, but such 'dark horses' are always capable of producing a surprise."

Main round: MVFC Berettyóújfalu 6-0, Luparense Calcio A5 3-3, SC Tornado Chisinau 11-1 (Group 1 runners-up)

Key players: Maxym Pavlenko, Valeriy Legchanov, Denys Ovsyanykov

KMN Puntar
Puntar have won two of the last three Slovenian titles but are struggling a little this season with only 15 points from nine games, losing their last two matches to KMN Svea Lesna Litija and KMN Oplast Koberid. However, the motivation of facing Europe's best has allowed them to put their domestic concerns to one side. Captain Igor Kragelj said: "I am proud to play at this stage and against the champions. It is an honour. We will do our best to show good performances and represent Slovenian futsal."

Main round: Viten Orsha 3-0, Montenegro Stars Budva 7-0, SL Benfica 2-4 (Group 4 runners-up)

Key players: Kristjan Čujec, Igor Kragelj, Gaj Rosič, Benjamin Melink