Araz aim to outdo Kairat in Baku

Kairat Almaty have reached the UEFA Futsal Cup semi-finals three times in the last four years, but their revamped side will not have life easy in Elite round Group D against ambitious Azerbaijani hosts Araz Naxçivan in Baku, under the command of a former coach of the Kazakhstan representatives. Stalwarts Athina '90 Athens and surprise package FK Nikars Riga are also involved.

Araz Naxçivan
Dominant in Azeri futsal since switching from football, Araz and now under the command of Alesio, who led Kairat to the 2007/08 semi-finals and has also coached the Azerbaijan national team to the UEFA European Futsal Championship. Araz have won all eight of their league fixtures this season, including a 5-4 defeat of main rivals Neftçi Bakı earlier this month. Vitaliy Borisov, signed from Russia's MFK Dina Moskva, said: "We are capable of playing any European club. The Elite round tournament will be held in Baku which makes our hopes of finishing on top more realistic. The fans must help us in achieving our aims."

Main round: AC Omonia 4-1, KMF Kolubara Lazarevac 4-0, MNK Potpićan 98 4-4 (Group 5 winners).

Key players: Vitaliy Borisov, Santos, Namig Mammadkarimov

Kairat Almaty
A victory against deposed champions MFK Dinamo Moskva in April gave Kairat third place last season but they have revamped this term with the departure of key Brazilians, including captain Cacau, and the signing of 12 new players. Among them are more Brazilians including 20-year-old goalkeeper Marcinho along with FIFA Futsal World Cup winners Anderson and Kelson, who claimed the UEFA Futsal Cup with both Action 21 Charleroi and Dinamo. Coach João Carlos Barbosa, whose team have started well in a new championship also involving two clubs from Kyrgyzstan and warmed up with two wins and a defeat in friendlies against Russia's MFK Norilsk Nikel, said: "Our aim this season is to build a new team and to secure our position in the domestic league and Europe."

Main round: Bye

Key players: Kelson, Anderson

Athina '90 Athens
It took seven attempts for Athina to get through a round of European competition and the Greek league leaders, who have scored 46 goals and conceded five in their four wins so far, are relishing the opportunity. Coach Apostolos Beltsidis said: "All our opponents have technically gifted players, they excel in fast play and apply smart tactics. It will be a challenge, although I must admit we were hoping for a draw that would pair us with the most powerful sides of Europe, as it would be a valuable learning experience for my players. However, we will see what we can get out of this adventure and try to improve in the process."

Main round: Action 21 Charleroi 2-4, Skövde AIK 11-2, Golden Futsal Team 3-3 (Group 3 runners-up)

Key players: Oratios Iliadis, Gentian Begaj

FK Nikars Riga
The only survivors from the 23-team Preliminary round, Aleksandrs Dibrivnijs's side sprung a Main round surprise by pipping Poland's Hurtap Łęczyca to qualification. Dibrivnijs, whose side have four wins out of four in Latvia this season, said: "There is a big gap in class between the teams. We can not compare the Latvian league and Elite round because in the latter we will compete against Europe's top sides. We know about their level and these clubs will aim to qualify for the semi-finals, but our team has hit our stride."

Preliminary round: JK Sillamäe Kalev 6-4, Futsal Panthers Köln 7-3, KMF Leotar Trebinje 9-5 (Group C winners)

Main round: FK Era-Pack Chrudim 1-10, Hurtap Łęczyca 4-3, FK Nautara Kanuas 3-2 (Group 2 runners-up)

Key players: Dmitrijs Dobrovoļskis (goalkeeper), Aleksejs Baranovs, Vadims Atamaņukovs