The sovereignty of futsal in Europe was defined in the Iberian Peninsula even though it was played in Armenia, a ball duel with a small wall in the middle, from Spain to Portugal and vice versa because two LNFS teams – Palma and Barcelona – They would face off against two Portuguese contenders, Benfica and Sporting. The ball, the football and the victory stayed in Spain, with the Mallorcan team able to beat Benfica in the penalty shootout after a vibrant draw (4-4); Barça was superior, although with sweat, to its opponent (5-4), now eager to win its fifth European crown. The final just around the corner, this Sunday (6:00 p.m. Dazn).
The match began awry for Barça, who when the curtain opened, just 54 seconds in, received a strategic goal, a sensational volley from Tomás Paçó that beat Dídac who only saw the ball when it lodged in the net. But Velasco’s team, governor of the ball, managed to recover with goals from Touré – a bit of a fluke because his throw-in was deflected with a rival’s boot – and Adolfo, skilled in putting the shot to a pass from Catela, the best of the match, always the Barça compass. It happened that Sporting did a lot with little, tough defense and lethal counters, two more goals to put fear in the Barça body. But Catela doesn’t understand that, as he made a great play to give the ball to Antonio, who tied things up before the intermission (3-3).
After the restart, Catela once again asked for the ball and the role, also the flashes because he received, cut and unleashed a whip that removed the cobwebs from the squad, once again Barça ahead. Not enough to break down Sporting, who found in Tatinho the boot of the goal, the tie. Moment of tension, of choppy play, of the defenses imposing themselves on the attacks, minutes of growth for a Sporting that could not, however, with Dídac. Yes, Matheus did it, taking off his bowler, receiving with his back turned to discount the rival with a movement of his hips and feet, with a whiplash that found the goal. Sporting pushed and Barcelona changed the third, more team than individuality, again with Saint Didac taking out hands and feet piecemeal, victory after all.
It was not an easy duel for Mallorca Palma Futsal either, which was always in tow and slipstream against a Benfica that prevailed from possession, with the ball at its feet and chances at the flag. A football that could not be replicated in Antonio Vadillo’s team, who moved the pieces and screamed on the sideline, rightly worried. Especially because it was 1-3 and because Ernesto was expelled; because the Portuguese 2-4 was also signed when there were barely three minutes left in the match. Everything seemed lost. It just seemed like it.
First Marcelo and then Gordillo scored to take the challenge to extra time, to defend their European laurel. There were no more goals and the match was decided in the penalty round, where Palma won (4-3) to end a very difficult match, also to explain that their title in the previous year was not, nor of far away, by chance. Now they will battle Barcelona in the final, Cream of the cream.
You can follow The USA Print in Facebook and xor sign up here to receive our weekly newsletter.
