NONSENSE, AZERBAIJANI STYLE

Azerbaijan's futsal team has qualified for the fourth time in its history for the chance to play in the final of the European Championship. And they achieved this result in a situation where the country's clubs are refusing to take part in the UEFA Cup. This season, the country's champions - Xazar Adalari - declined to take part in the UEFA Cup for financial reasons. And the runners-up, Fanar, didn't want to take their place. Under the circumstances, UEFA issued a warning to the local federation.

The Azerbaijani futsal team first earned the right to play in the final of the European Championships in 2010. The final was held in Hungary. That year, the team, coached by Jose Alesio, qualified from the group, beating the Czech Republic (6-1) and Hungary (3-1). In the quarter final Azerbaijan beat Ukraine on penalties (3-3, 4-2). This was followed by two defeats. In the semi-final Azerbaijan lost on penalties to Portugal (3-3, 3-5) and in the match for bronze medals to the Czech Republic (3-3). Although the team came away without any medals, Biro Jade was among the top scorers with five goals. It should also be pointed out that at Euro-2010 the team was allowed foreign players. In the starting line-up were Andriy Tveryankin (Ukraine) and the Brazilians Felipe, Biro Jade, Thiago and Serjao. And local futsallers Vitaliy Borisov, Rizvan Farzaliyev and Racab Faraczada were regarded as substitutes for the naturalized players.

Two years later - in 2012 - Azerbaijan qualified for the European Championships, which were held in Croatia. This time they were unsuccessful. After losing to Portugal (1-4) and Serbia (8-9), they failed to reach the next stage. The only thing worth remembering was a hat-trick by a newcomer to the side, Dantas. The failure of the side, which had some experienced players but failed to reach the next stage, shocked the federation. After that they released some of the foreign players and the team was re-shaped.

The Euro-2014 competition was held in Belgium. Azerbaijan set off with a new team and new foreign players. Laercio Buranello was in goal and on the field were Rafael, Augusto and Amadeo. After beating Slovenia 7-6 they suffered a crushing defeat (0-7) to the Italians. Again the team failed to qualify from the group.

Some time later the Azerbaijani Futsal Federation dispensed with Jose Alesio's services, and he was replaced by Tino Perez. Most of the foreigners were excluded from the team. At this qualifying stage local players were given the chance to show what they could do. At the qualifying matches played in Baku, Azerbaijan beat Belgium and Denmark but then lost to Ukraine. In the play-offs for a place in the final stages of Euro-2016 Azerbaijan were up against Slovakia. After beating them at home (3-1) they drew away (1-1). Along with the foreign players (Amadeo, Augusto, Eduardo, Rafael and Cesar), the goalkeeper Rovsan Huseynli, the veterans Rizvan Farzaliyev and Vitaliy Borisov, as well as the youngster, Isa Atayev, all did well in these games.

Now, we are off to the final stage not as "easy opponents" but with a real chance. But with this team it will be impossible to challenge for medals at Euro-2016. It is obvious that when switching from defence to attack, our players lack speed. Also, we don't have many players on the bench, and it is extremely difficult to succeed in every match with the same side. And you have to take injuries into account, too.

There are four months to go before the European Championships start. In that period the players must get together at training camps and play friendlies against strong opponents. Otherwise, they will lack match practice, which could lead to a fiasco at Euro-2016. 

The team's chief coach, Tino Perez, told R+ that the match against the Slovaks was a tough one. "Azerbaijan played with plenty of determination, showing they are worth their place in the final stages. Now the team is going through the rebuilding stage, then we can start thinking about our plans for Euro-2016.We plan to meet at a training camp and prepare ourselves properly for the decisive matches," Perez said.

For his part, the President of the Azerbaijani Futsal Federation, Zaur Axundov, said that the team's fourth consecutive participation in the finals of the European Championships shows how futsal has developed in the country. "I don't regard Amadeo, Rafael and the other foreign players in the team as foreign as such. They have been living in Azerbaijan for a long time and are defending the colours of our team. At this moment in time, the main task is to do well in the qualifying stage of the World Championships in December. Our aim is to qualify for those championships. We shall be fielding the same side in these matches. Only then can we talk about preparing for Euro-2016," Axundov said.

So, Azerbaijan will be one of 12 teams fighting at the decisive stage. Qualifying along with our team are Kazakhstan, Hungary and the Czech Republic, who beat Bosnia-Herce-govina, Romania and Belarus respectively. Before that, Russia, Spain, Italy, Ukraine, Slovenia, Croatia and Portugal also won through. Serbia will be represented as the organizing country. The draw for the final stage will take place in Belgrade on 2 October. The matches will be played from 2 to 13 February next year.