Losing a game like this cuts both ways. There is the disappointment of defeat after going head to head with the team that has dominated European futsal, and the EURO, over the past ten years. But there is also the belief that today’s performance can be a starting point. Italy defended aggressively and worked tirelessly, keeping Spain at bay for long spells. However, goals at the start of each half ultimately decided an exceptionally tight contest. The Azzurre had chances of their own, but they were not enough to turn the game around. The 2-1 win puts Spain top of the group, while Italy remain on three points. They will now look to secure a place at the EURO, which would be their first-ever appearance, when they face France on Saturday 10 October (15:00 CEST, live on Futsal TV). France take on Slovenia this evening.

THE MATCH. Paniccia named the same starting five that began the game against Slovenia, but Europe’s reigning champions took the lead after just a minute. Irene Cordoba did well with her back to goal before turning and firing past Sestari to make it 1-0. The early goal made Italy’s task more difficult. The Azzurre tried to match Spain’s intensity but struggled to create clear chances. Sestari tested Elena Gomez with a long-range effort in the ninth minute, only for the goalkeeper to make the save. It was a small but important sign of progress. As the minutes passed, Italy grew in confidence through an aggressive defensive display that disrupted Spain’s build-up play. Coppari and her team-mates gradually pushed higher up the pitch and, with a minute and a half remaining before half-time, Sestari levelled the score, taking advantage of Spain’s goalkeeper joining the build-up. Spain struck again early in the second half, with Sotelo producing a superb solo effort. Italy remained well organised, however, and stepped up their search for an equaliser midway through the half. Between the ninth and tenth minutes, Vanelli, Ferrara, and Coppari each had important chances to score. Spain’s defence held firm, prompting Paniccia to call a timeout with just under six minutes remaining. He then introduced Boutimah as a flying goalkeeper in a final attempt to find a way through. With 60 seconds left on the clock, Italy created an opportunity through their power play, but neither Ferrara nor De Siena, who followed up on the rebound, could find the equaliser.

 

ITALY 1-2 SPAIN (HT: 1-1)

Italy: Sestari, Bettioli, Coppari, Adamatti, Boutimah. Subs: Carturan, Mansueto, Vanelli, Virdis, Ghilardi, Barca, Dal’Maz, Ferrara, De Siena. Coach: Paniccia.

Spain: Elena Gonzalez, Mayte, Irene Samper, Maria Sanz, Irene Cordoba. Subs: Ari, Martita, Laura Cordoba, Cecilia Zarzuela, Laura Sanchez, Lopez Quesada, Sotelo, Antia, Eva Gonzalez. Coach: Pons.

Goals: 1'03" first half Irene Cordoba (S), 18'26" Sestari (I); 3'49" second half Sotelo (S).

Referees: Roosa-Maria Karoliina Tuomi (Finland), Mariia Myslovska (Ukraine), Ena Dulic (Bosnia and Herzegovina). Timekeeper: Azra Ahmetovic (Slovenia).

Booking: Vanelli (I).

 

WOMEN’S FUTSAL EURO

Group 1: Czechia, Finland, Netherlands, Portugal

Group 2: Bosnia and Herzegovina, Hungary, Slovakia, Sweden

Group 3: Spain, France, Italy, Slovenia

Group 4: Belgium, Norway, Poland, Ukraine

 

Group 3 fixtures

Matchday 1, Wednesday 7 October

Spain 5-2 France

Italy 3-0 Slovenia

Matchday 2, Thursday 8 October

Italy 1-2 Spain

Slovenia vs. France, 19:00 CEST

 

Standings after Matchday 2

Spain 6, Italy 3, France 0, Slovenia 0

 

Matchday 3, Saturday 10 October

France vs. Italy, 15:00 CEST

Slovenia vs. Spain, 17:30 CEST