Charleroi compete despite cash crisis

With the Elite round of the UEFA Futsal Cup taking place from 4 December, uefa.com is having a closer look at each of the 16 sides involved. Today we begin our examination of the very open Group C, focusing first on 2004/05 European champions Action 21 Charleroi. But as the Belgian side prepare to face hosts Clearex Chorzów, KMF Marbo Beograd - who Charleroi beat 3-2 last year - and Azerbaijan's Araz Naxçivan, they will just be grateful to be playing at all.

Liquidation fear
In July this year the world of futsal was surprised and shocked to learn that one of Europe's strongest clubs was going into liquidation. Charleroi - the only side to have competed in three UEFA Futsal Cup finals, finally lifting the trophy at the third attempt in an emotional encounter with MFK Dinamo Moskva 19 months ago - have won every Belgian title since they formed with the 1999 merger of Charleroi Garenne and FCS Sambreville. But on 19 July owner Paul Locicero said he has going to fold the club for financial reasons after the City of Charleroi had severely reduced their financial support on top of the loss of a sponsorship deal.

Player moves
The following week, however, cost cutting and increased backing from other sponsors led Locicero to declare: "The club will continue." Means are of course more restricted, with the departure of the likes of last season's top scorer Alex and Belgian player of the year Robinho, both now at Russian clubs. Instead Christian Vavadio, promoted to head coach for this season to replace Sergio Benatti, had recruited Zico Marques Rodrigo, Wilson Pires De Carvalho and Chaibai Karim and has brought back André Vanderlei, who left for GDL Châtelet after the European triumph in 2005.

Super Cup comeback
Inevitably, Charleroi's total dominance of Belgian futsal has not continued this season, and they currently lie third in the championship, eight points adrift of Forcom Antwerpen 2000, who have nine wins from nine games. Still, Charleroi have not lost their touch and on Saturday claimed their seventh consecutive Belgian Super Cup with a 5-2 win against PB Morlanwelz - coming back from two down with a pair of goals from Saad Salhi and further strikes by Valentin Dujacquier, Samir Kassah and Jonathan Fossé.

Brazilian force
It was an impressive result for a young team without Brazilian stars Brazilian stars André, Zico and Liliu Wilson, rested having helped the club beat MC Lommel 2-1 in a league fixture the previous evening. That match had been moved forward from December due to Charleroi's participation in Poland, and they will hope for good form from André and Zico, who lead their scoring charts this season with eleven and nine goals respectively.