Futsal review: April/May

Futsal highlightsAround 30 FIFA Futsal coaching instructors from around the world gathered in Madrid between 9 and 13 May for a large training seminar organised by football’s world governing body.

At the event, which was hosted by the Spanish FA (RFEF), instructors received new FIFA-designed Futsal teaching materials, discussed new FIFA programmes and looked at the future development of Futsal across the globe. Representatives from Asian, African, Oceanian and European football confederations also attended the seminar.

DevelopmentIn El Salvador, a course for referees was held as part of the Futsal development programme. The course was led by Guatemalan referee Carlos Del Cid, who officiated at the FIFA Futsal World Cup Brazil 2008.

Futsal across the globeItalian domestic champions ASD Citta de Montesilvano won the UEFA Futsal Cup on 1 May with a 5-2 victory over Sporting Clube de Portugal in the final.

In Germany, SD Croatia Berlin defeated Nuremberg outfit Bayern Kickers back in April to win the DFB Futsal Cup. The German Football Federation’s new president, Dr Theo Zwanziger, had earlier given a speech to encourage the players and show his support for ongoing efforts to develop Futsal in the country.

Wales and Spain also staged their own Futsal cup competitions, while in South America, Futsal’s equivalent of the Copa Libertadores was won by Brazilian side Carlos Barbosa, who triumphed against Paraguay’s Atletico Paranaense.

Finally, Solomon Islands booked their place at the FIFA Futsal World Cup Thailand 2012 – the second time in a row that they have qualified for the competition.  

They said“Futsal is samba football in a room. The game is fast, highly technical and great for spectators. The modern form of indoor football is exciting, captivating and full of goals. Futsal in Germany is developing very quickly,” Dr Theo Zwanziger, president of the German football federation.

“It’s an extraordinary feeling – it’s our dream. We worked hard for it and we deserve it. We wanted to make the Solomon Islands and the whole of Oceania proud. We weren’t very good last time around, but I promise the whole of Oceania that we will fight for every minute we are in the Futsal World Cup. The world needs to know that Futsal is developing in Oceania, and that the Pacific nations are a part of that” – Elliot Ragomo, Solomon Isles captain.

Coming upOver the next two months, FIFA is set to organise four Futsal events across four different confederations. The events will take place in Cambodia and Cape Verde (coaches and referees), Venezuela (referees) and Cyprus (coaches).

As far as competitions are concerned, Caja Segovia take on FC Barcelona Alusport in a play-off final to decide who will be crowned 2010/11 champions of Spanish Futsal’s top flight