Romania, the Czech Republic, Serbia, Ukraine, and Turkey completed the lineup for UEFA Futsal EURO 2012 early next year after claiming the last qualifying places on Sunday.
In the last game of group 4, in Targu Mures, Romania won over the Czech Republic (1-0), with the Cosmin Gherman’s goal in the 27th minute. In the other games of the preliminary tournament in Targu Mures, Romania defeated Norway 4-0, and lost to Slovakia 5-6. In the other games: Czech Republic – Norway 4-3; Slovakia – Czech republic 3-5; Slovakia – Norway 4-0. The pressure was on Romania but they and the Czech Republic played out a cautious, goalless first half, according to uefa.com. After the break, though, Romania took the initiative. Despite the efforts of Czech goalkeeper Libor Gercak, the home side struck in the 27th minute with Cosmin Gherman’s powerful shot. Now both teams were in qualifying positions and that was how it ended, denying Slovakia a finals bow. “We had an enormous desire to qualify against the Czechs, who qualified (for the FIFA Futsal World Cup) three years ago, also in Targu Mures, in the play-offs. We played with heart and also excellent tactics. At 1-0 I was afraid, because in futsal anything can happen in a few seconds. I have to admit that before today several players could not sleep, so stressed were we. Three years ago, after the play-offs, I could not sleep because I was angry. Now, I will not sleep because of joy,” goalscorer Cosmin Gherman told uefa.com after the game.
The Spanish coach of Romania, Sito Rivera, used the following players: Klein Laszlo, Vlad Iancu, Andrei Moldovanu – goalkeepers; Florin Matei, Gabriel Dobre, Robert Lupu, Cosmin Gherman, Razvan Radu, Mihaly Zoltan, Emil Raducu, Marian Sotarca, Ion Al Ioani, Dumitru Mimi Stoica, Florin Ignat and Iuliu Safar. Holders Spain, 2010 runners-up Portugal, former champions Russia and Italy, plus Azerbaijan and Slovenia had all ensured their places alongside hosts Croatia in the 9 September draw in Zagreb with a match to spare. Ukraine and the Czech Republic, like Spain, Russia, Portugal and Italy, have topped their groups. Serbia, Romania and Turkey, meanwhile, made sure they, Azerbaijan and Slovenia were the five best runners-up ahead of Belarus.
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