Teams show outstanding performances at the UEFA Futsal Champions league

Futsal is an indoor sport that abides by rules similar to football. The UEFA Futsal Champions League is an annual futsal tournament, usually held around the month of May. This year’s edition of the competition, however, began on August 28. 56 teams from all around the world participated in this tournament, ranging from major European countries like Portugal to Middle-Eastern countries like Kazakhstan. The final rounds of the tournament were held in the Almaty Stadium in Almaty, Kazakhstan.

The preliminary rounds of the tournament occurred from August 28 to September 2, which eliminated the number of teams in the competition from 56 to 32. The remaining teams then competed to qualify for the main rounds of the tournament, which took place from October 2 to October 7. After the main rounds were wrapped up, the elite rounds commenced, where only 16 of the original 56 teams qualified to participate in the elite rounds. Out of those 16, only 4 teams that qualified for the final rounds of the tournament. Those teams were Spanish teams Inter FS and Barcelona, local Kazakhstani side Kairat, and Portguese side Sporting CP.

The semi-finals took place on April 26. Bracelona lost to Kairat 5:2 and Sporting CP defeated the defending champions Inter FS 5:3, placing Kairat and Sporting CP in the finals. The final was a tough match for both Kairat and Sporting CP, but Kairat proved to be the better team, beating Sporting CP 2:1 and lifting the Futsal Champions League Cup. Kairat had the home advantage, since the tournament was held in Kazakhstan. The battle for third place was also a match that kept people on the edge of their seats, ending with Barcelona defeating Inter FS 3:1.

Although the other three quarterfinalists showed great skill and strength, it was Kairat that was able to surpass all the other teams, taking its rightful position as champions of the UEFA Futsal Champions League. Next year, UEFA will be holding another futsal tournament, and judging by the quality of the performances that were seen this year, there is much to be expected of the next tournament.

Featured image- Kairat and Sporting FC fighting for the cup Photo Courtesy of LUSA

by Andy Kim