Penalties give Spain its second futsal European Championship

The success in taking penalties (1-4) and the inspiration of the goalkeeper Silviagave the title of the European Championship a spain ante Portugal (3-3), who dominated the scoreboard for much of the match but was unable to stop his opponent’s reaction.

Once again in Portugal and again against the host team in the final, the history of the red women’s futsal team continues. Second straight corona for Spaindominator of this competition that culminated its second edition in a final game full of alternatives, emotion and resolution from six meter shots.

This had nothing to do with the last edition where Spain overwhelmed its rival to win the continental title. On this occasion and despite the fact that the group of Claudia Pons came to the decisive duel with nine victories to his credit, was handcuffed by the local team that gave the impression of having perfectly studied the champion.

Spain was uncomfortable from the start. He had the ball but in inconsequential areas. The pressure from Portugal, insistent and orderly, complicated the Spanish circulation. Worse yet for visitors. Every loss was a threat. The goalkeeper Silvia emerged as the savior twice, on clear occasions, hand in hand, with Ana Azevedo.

But the Spanish goalkeeper could do nothing in the third. In the 11th minute. In a turnover of Irene Cordoba against Azevedo which was a lethal counterattack. He made the wall with Fifó and culminated the Portuguese captain who overtook his team.

Portugal extended its lead in the 19th, in a strategic action that was born in a throw-in. Janice Silva received and crossed to Pisko who, without opposition, scored the second.

saved him spain a long shot to revive their hopes for the second half. Seventeen seconds from intermission, Ale of Peace he picked up a loose ball, lost by Portugal, to execute a shot that went past Ana Catarina. The Spanish box minimized damage.

With conviction and haste, the Hispanic team broke into the second half. Shots of Irene Córdoba and Noelia that they did not have a prize and responses from Portugal to the counterattack. Like the sticks with which the auctions of Ana Azevedo and Inés Fernandes were found. Spain also had one in a shot by Mayte.

Spain cornered Portugal held by Ana Catarina. She went for it with long shots, especially. Thus came the draw. Once again, Ale de Paz, whom the Pons group sought when they had no solution. The game revived when a good action by Ana Luján ended with a cross to the area that cleared the local defense. The ball was loose and Of peacefrom outside the area, got the equalizer (2-2).

With tight forces and the spirit of the goal, the team led by Clàudia Pons accelerated towards victory. Anyone could score but it was the moment of the goalkeepers. Silvia came to the rescue of Spain and Ana Catarina, in the last action before the extension, avoided the frustration of Portugal.

The match had ten extra minutes to determine the champion and Spain caressed the title. Portugal wasted three penalties-corners and Pons’s team culminated the comeback in the 44th minute with a corner kick by Ana Luján that reached María Sanz to put the ball into the net for the third time.

Desperately, Portugal avoided defeat. With player goalkeeper in the final stretch he equalized one minute from the end by means of Pisco which led to the outcome on penalties. Spain was impeccable. Silvia stopped two, Ana Azevedo y Ana Pires which were final.

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