Today the 12th European Futsal Championship kicks off in the Netherlands, a tournament that Portugal (also current world champion) is the current defender of the title, but of which Spain It is the great historical dominator.
The Spanish team, current European runner-up, accumulates 7 titles (out of 11 possible), to which must be added a couple of finals and as many third places. In fact, ‘La Roja’ has not been off the podium in any of the Europeans held so far.
Against this background, it is clear that the next champion must leave the Iberian Peninsula, without ruling out some other already ‘classic’ teams such as Kazakhstan, Italy or Russia, all of them full of nationalized Brazilian players.
Next, we will review, classified by position, the most outstanding players of the next European Championship.
GOALKEEPERS
Dídac PLANA (Spain)
Dídac Plana, goalkeeper for FC Barcelona and the Spanish National Team
The FC Barcelona goalkeeper, chosen as the best goalkeeper in the world last season, is in a spectacular moment and proof of this is that the Barça team is the team with the fewest goals in the competition. His great footwork makes him an interesting offensive weapon and with Fede he will probably form the best goalkeeper duo in the entire championship.
HIGUITA (Kazakhstan)
Higuita, the best offensive goalkeeper in the world
Without a doubt, the best offensive goalkeeper in the world. A specialist in the controversial 5×4, he has had a decisive role in the successes of Kayrat (winner of the Champions League in 2013 and 2015) and in ‘his’ team (he is Brazilian, nationalized Kazakh), semi-finalist in the last two editions of the European Championship.
Stefano MAMMARELLA (Italy)
Stefano Mammarella, an insurance under sticks for Italy
The veteran goalkeeper (37 years old) of Aqua e Sapone is a classic under the sticks of the ‘azzurra’ team, with which he already managed to win the European Championship in 2014. Although his best years seem to have been left behind (he was chosen the best world goalkeeper in 2012 and 2014). the presence of the great Mammarella in goal always intimidates rivals.
CLOSURES
ROMULO Alves (Rusia)
Romulo (right) has been for years one of the best closing in the world
The former Barça player (he played for a few months in the ranks of FC Barcelona during the 2016/17 season before seriously injuring himself and subsequently terminating his contract) is experiencing a second youth in the ranks of Benfica. Possessor of a powerful shot from outside, the Brazilian (nationalized Russian, like several of his teammates) is a key piece of a Russian team that with this same block reached three consecutive finals (2012, 2014 and 2016) and in 2018 finished in third position.
Douglas JUNIOR (Kazakhstan)
Dougls Junior was about to sign for Barça in 2018
Another Brazilian ‘infiltrated’ in the European. Together with Higuita and Taynan, they have formed, for several years, the most dangerous trident in Kazakhstan. In 2018 he tore the cruciate ligaments in his knee just when he was about to sign for Barça and, although he has never been the same as before, he is still a ‘rock’ in defense and a danger in attack.
Carlos ORTIZ (Spain)
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After a lifetime at Inter Movistar (and a brief stint in the French league), the veteran captain of the Spanish team returned to the LNFS this season to play for FC Barcelona. Unlike Romulo and Douglas Júnior, Ortíz is not characterized by his physique, but he is by excellent positioning and intelligence that make him a sure thing in defense and in getting the ball out.
UNIVERSAL
Sergio LOZANO (Spain)
Sergio Lozano, a great reference for Spain in this European
After missing the last World Cup due to a cruciate ligament injury (the third of his career), the FC Barcelona captain returns to the national team stronger than ever. Despite the fact that in his beginnings he was clearly an offensive winger, ‘thanks’ to his injuries he has adapted his game to other positions, also becoming a ‘top’ closure and with a lot of arrival and goals (he has 10 in the league). Play where you play, perform at your best.
ALA
ADOLFO (Spain)
Adolfo is one of the most complete wings on the European scene
Another ‘boy for everything’ like Lozano. Second top scorer in the LNFS (with 13 goals, only behind Ferrao, with 14) he was already the most outstanding player of the Spanish team in the last World Cup. But in addition to goals, the one from Santa Coloma is one of the best specialists in the world in the defense of 5×4. If he is fit, ‘La Roja”s options will increase exponentially.
CATELA (Spain)
Catela, one of the novelties of Spain for this European
Perhaps one of the lesser-known names on this list for the general public, but the loyal fans of the LNFS will have the name of the Valdepeñas wing underlined in red, the great revelation of the current league championship. A virtuoso with the ball at his feet,
ROBINHO (Russia)
Robinho, Brazilian quality at the service of the Russian national team
Benfica’s veteran winger arrives at this event already 38 years old and a little far from his best moment. Still, his tremendous individual quality remains intact. With a somewhat weak physique (he measures 1.65 and is very light), appearances are deceiving with the Russian-Brazilian, capable of leaving any rival and deciding a meeting with one of his geniuses.
ERICK (Portugal)
Erick Mendonça, one of the most complete players in the world
The Sporting de Portugal winger is, at 26, one of the most complete players on the European scene: he can attack and defend and his privileged physique allows him to maintain a high intensity throughout the match. And, furthermore, he is not exempt from great quality and his goals are common in all the ‘highlights’.
Pany VARELA (Portugal)
Rany Varela, experience and quality at the service of Portugal
Erick’s teammate at Sporting de Portugal, he has been an international since 2015 and, in the absence of the now-retired Ricardinho, he will bring the degree of seniority and experience to a Portuguese team that has a lot of young talent (Zicky Té, Erick, André Coelho,. ..). Author of important goals both with his club and with his national team, Varela will undoubtedly be one of the protagonists of the championship that is about to start.
PIVOT
ZICKY TEA (Portugal)
Zicky Té has recently been chosen as the ‘Best Young Player in the World’
Recently chosen as the ‘best young player in the world’ (he is 21 years old), he does not respond to the classic profile of a futsal center, but his endless legs and his overflowing energy make him a very difficult player for opposing defenders to defend. Key in the recent successes of Portugal and his team, Sporting. Present and future of Portuguese futsal.
TAYNAN (Kazakhstan)
Taynan, along with Higuita, two of the leaders of Kazakhstan
The Kazakh-Brazilian is a true force of nature; a pivot with a privileged physique and a lot of goals… until now. After shining last year in the ranks of Sporting de Portugal, this year he has signed for ElPozo Murcia and is still in the process of adaptation (only 4 goals). With Kazakhstan, on the other hand, he does show his best version and is one of the leaders of the team.
Tomas DRAHOVSKY (Slovakia)
Tomas Drahonsky, the only one on the list who does not play in one of the favorites
Perhaps the only player who is not part of one of the favorites for the title that deserves to be taken into account on this list. As is the case at Industrias Santa Coloma, he is capable of standing out even though his team is not one of the leaders. Along with Adolfo, he is the second top scorer in the LNFS (13 goals) and the Slovak attack will pass almost entirely through his boots. One of the great candidates for the ‘top scorer’ of the tournament.