Azerbaijan surprised UEFA official

The UEFA Futsal and Beach Soccer Committee has hailed the recent 2010 UEFA European Futsal Championship in Hungary as "a step forward" for the sport.

“Like women's football, futsal is a major growth sport, which was reflected in the expansion of the championship in Hungary from eight to 12 teams, giving some of the game's less established nations a chance to grab the limelight. While Belgium and Slovenia made their first appearances in the finals for seven years, Belarus and Azerbaijan competed as debutants at this level” – he said to UEFA.com.

The Azerbaijanis surprised everyone by reaching the last four, and Abete believes futsal will continue to make strides outside its traditional strongholds.


/Azerisport/