Spanish Underdogs Looking To Seize Futsal League Title

The Play-Offs for the Spanish LNFS title will be played starting from today featuring three underdogs.

The winner will be ultimately decided over three intense legs in June that are four days apart from each other and one of the finalists will book their place in the Champions League.

Palma sat close behind them in the final match-day while Barca slipped also, following their cup failures in the Copa de España and Champions League.

The standings at the end are almost worthless but you would think it gives a chance for some underdogs in 5th or 6th to get some prestigious silverware yet in this case it was Barcelona.

El Pozo Murcia finished in pole position of the league table this season but failed drastically to capitalise a less challenging quarter final draw against Vina Albali Valdepeñas.

El Pozo vs Valdepeñas Quarter Final:

An incredibly passionate tie amongst players and fans as Juanan broke the deadlock with a scintillating back hell in the first half. A flurry of miraculous saves from the El Pozo keeper denied Valdepeñas but some relentless offensive pressure and pure classy footwork ensured the away side clinically headed into the second half at 4-2. El Pozo fought back after a probably fiery half-time team talk.

However, the 5-5 scoreline amounted after two halves of mesmerising futsal led to penalties where an unusual amount of saves were made and Valdepeñas celebrated like they have already won the league title.

Semi-Finals:

El Pozo have never placed lower than 8th in an LNFS season so to knockout these titans was an unprecedented achievement from the side west of Murcia.

Their morale is surely sky-high going into their semi-final matches vs Levante whose rollercoaster season hides their fantastic attacking style.

Levante have brought in players such as ex-Barcelona sensation Esteban Guerrero who has proved to be a key asset to this team, contributing to penetrating one touch passes around the pitch and meticulous movements to deceive the opponents and create opportunities. 'Las Granotas' are heading into the semis with an 8-1 victory which reinforces their offensive style but a 5-2 loss against their opponent.

Player Maxi said, "We're going to give our lives to enter the Champions League," as both teams look pumped up seeking a spot in the final.

The other semi-final is between Barca and Palma who actually finished level on point with the leaders El Pozo but lost out to their head-to-head record. They often produced unmatchable defensive displays as they only conceded 67 goals this futsal campaign in the league which is just four more than Barca. It has been outstanding season regardless of the results not falling their way against many of the top 5.

The team from Mallorca have dominated futsal in Spain this season and even forcefully pushed Barca out of the top three.

Renowned pivot Esquerdinha sharpens his aim for the UCL, highlighting Palma's credentials but firmly setting his eyes on the target, "On Saturday the important thing is to get the first point and on Wednesday decide at home. Every season, Palma takes a step forward," he said.

"In recent years, the results have not been so positive there for us, so we have not been able to get so many points, but we must also recognise the merit of a tema that is very compact and defends very well. You have to try to change that streak because the first point is very important."

When and How to Watch?

Saturday 12th June Semi-Finals:

Levante vs Valdepenas - LaLigaSportsTV 17:30 UK Time

Palma vs Barca - GOL 19:30 UK Time

An incredible opportunity to win a league title awaits as the Spanish teams will showcase their full potential in the significant bouts coming up.

UCL Spot Still Up For Grabs In The English Mens National Futsal Series

Week 4 of the Summer Showdown commences this weekend in the mens competition as teams from the pinnacle of English futsal vie for a coveted Champions League spot.

The Summer Showdown has been formed in replacement for the disrupted season due to the pandemic as the futsal scene is flourishing in the English summer.

Group A and B of NFS One fixtures are on Sunday 13th June where the matchup to keep your eyes out for will be ProFutsal London vs Bolton who have had some thrilling ties in prior campaigns but still the results lied comfortably for the London side. 

The prominent figure of Denerson Moreira, from the populous Brazilian city of Curitiba, has shone throughout this Summer Showdown with an incessant quality to slow down the game combined with extraterrestrial tricking on the court at times. John Kurrant and some youthful additions have also propelled Pro in the right direction as their formidable and high intensity style on the court is well worth watching.

Their competition is great however, in the form of rivals Helvecia who have previous Champions league appearances and several league titles to their name. A strong start has yet again led them to the top of the National Futsal Series as it becomes evident the fight for the UCL is explicitly between them and ProFutsal. The standard is being demanded to remain high as all the pressure is on ProFutsal to snatch the crown of the nation's futsal masterminds off Helvecia.

Derby vs Worcester and Birmingham vs Manchester Futsal Club also look to be exciting as all four sides are seeking a second place spot in their respected groups.

The Semi-Finals of the National Futsal Series Two also take place on Sunday as London Escolla face York at 2 o'clock. The newly reformed London side with an abundance of enthusiastic youthful potential could see them edge past the Northerners. 

Many players mentored by US Virgin Islands coach Gilberto Damiano and Cristiano Coelho, a now coach part of the setup of Portuguese top flight side Leões who have recently been challenging the now acclaimed best side in Europe Sporting Lisbon, their youth unsurprisingly has a spark to it. A massive test is still ahead for them while Genesis or Wessex could face them in the final.

All matches this weekend can be watched live on the FA National Futsal Series YouTube Channel as you can witness some thrilling action in the women's and mens competition.

The Story of Betis' 39-year-old Joaquín: The Oldest Attacker in Europe

Real Betis man Joaquín has signed a new one-year deal to remain at his boyhood club and continue to play in La Liga into his 40s.

He will remain at the club for one more year and last year he even hinted of attempting to become Real Betis President in the future.

He is just second in the all-time list of appearances in the Spanish first division having played 579 games, behind Barcelona goalkeeper Andoni Zubizarreta.

Joaquín expressed his desire to stay at the club next season months ago and was eager to see fans' faces once again in stadiums.

"My contract expires in June, but I feel strong and in good shape on both a footballing and physical level," he told Diario AS.

"I want to continue at least one more year.

"I would like to retire with the fans in the stands, as I want to invite football fans to attend my fin al match at the Estadio Benito Villamarin.

"I want to play with the crowd present before I retire."

The Real Betis legend defied all expectations as the 39-year-old scored a wondrous looping header against Deportivo Alaves one weekend adding to his extraordinary assist in the 93rd minute in a tie against Real Sociedad. After being diagnosed with coronavirus in early January, the veteran was unfazed by the challenge of returning to Spanish football again.

Despite painful loss to rivals Sevilla, Real Betis continued to climb and Joaquín, who has over 3 million Instagram followers and almost 400K twitter followers, still is willing to compete at the highest level.

So what is the story of the evolution of the inspirational Spaniard?

Betis were greeted by a blessing as Joaquín returned back to the club he first established himself at in 2015 where he has appeared almost 200 times wearing the green and white stripes since then.

He started his senior career originally at the club after his uncle believed firmly in his talent helping him with trips to and from the Betis youth system.

Betis, nicknamed with the pseudonym 'Heliopolitans' due to the Sevillan district of Heliopolis which the club is located in, was the benchmark to his brilliant career as he featured in the 2005/06 Champions League campaign for the club, where they finished third to demote themselves to the Uefa Cup despite their triumph against Chelsea and draw against another Premier League giant in Liverpool.

This sparked interest from Chelsea, the English team enjoying success with Jose Mourinho, which Joaquín denied. 

He told the Daily Mail, “people always say to me: 'Joaquín, don’t you regret it?' “Well the answer is no, I don’t. I know I lost an important opportunity to play for a great team and earn a lot of money but it just wasn’t what I was thinking about at that time.”

2002 World Cup Quarter Final Controversy:

Prior to his half-success in this European season at the club he's always been devoted to, Joaquín debuted for the Spanish National Team in the World Cup of 2002. This tournament has been widely regarded as the most controversial competitions of all time filled with ambiguity and incompetent officiating.

At the centre of this, was the quarter final between Spain and hosts South Korea. Joaquín was crowned man of the match as he starred showcasing his elegant crosses and his willingness to beat defenders as a right-winger. 

However, amongst this was mayhem, and decisions were extremely questionable and propelled altercations. Two poor offside decisions and a cross from the right midfielder which set up a headed goal for Spain was claimed to be over the line when contact for the ball in was made. This was proved to be clearly wrong and Joaquín later pulled up with an injury which subsequently resulted in him missing the decisive penalty in the shootout due to a stuttering run up and tentative shot. It became a continuity of misfortune for Spain and unjust fortune for Korea.

Highlights of the South Korea vs Spain 2002 World Cup Bout

Regarding these scandalous incidents Joaquín said, "It was a robbery." "It was clear before reaching the penalty shootout what was going on. It wasn't only the two legal goals [the referee] didn't give, but a lot of wrong decisions he made."

Joaquín's emotion triggered determination which was evident as he said, "I pleaded to take that penalty because I was really confident in myself."

"Now my heart hurts; it is broken. I feel so much impotence. If I could step back in time I would surely score that penalty. I was fine to take it."

Heading into his prime, the winger then enjoyed a 5 year spell at Valencia after his personal judgement to stay in his homeland. In his later years, he was given the number 7 after the departure of David Villa and scored consistently to eventually obtain the Valencians a Champions League spot in his final season.

Brief times at Malaga and Fiorentina led him into his 30s where he returned to his former club in Seville. 

It has led him into several records as one of Europe's oldest players. Scoring in 20 consecutive seasons, over 800 senior football appearances and the La Liga appearance milestone.

At 39 years of age he is still a phenomenon helping Betis to further advance.

His career first hat-trick came in 2019 against Athletic Bilbao after three right footed shots that found the net thanks to the space he created as a 37 year-old through his tremendous ability to unsettle his defenders with his agility.

As the captain of Betis, now he has developed into an appreciated figure that staggers the footballing audience. Granted sensationally with a Europa League place, Betis strive towards a major trophy with Manuel Pellegrini in Joaquín's potential last season.

Can the goals keep coming, as the years keep going and can Joaquín and Betis achieve their quest of competing in Europe once again heading into his 21st successive season in top flight football of his enduring career?

Why Luis Enrique's Loyalty Lies With Aymeric Laporte Over Madrid's Excluded Sergio Ramos

Aymeric Laporte was granted Spanish citizenship only 2 weeks ago and instantaneously books his place in the 26-man Spanish team for the Euros selected by Luis Enrique.

With the ageing Ramos, Laporte saw his opportunity to pounce into his entitled Spanish nationality which he gained from playing in Bilbao for just short of a decade. 

He moved from France to the academy of Athletic Bilbao which he rose up through despite local debate over his tenuous links to the Basque region. He was fortunately given his debut by Marcelo Bielsa in the 2012 Europa League and later proceeded to prompt success at the Northern Spanish club and eventually sign for £57 million for Manchester City. Meeting Pep Guardiola was just another managerial treat as he experienced the pinnacility of tutoring from the 2 most innovative and phenomenal coaches in the history of football.

Enrique knew this season that with his current club partnership with Ruben Dias, the Spanish defensive wall would be solidified indefinitely as Laporte is expected to feature for years to come.

The new star of Spain is emerging while controversially Sergio Ramos and all other eligible Real Madrid players have been excluded from the squad which Real Madrid President Florentino Perez explicitly criticised saying, "It's fine. We'll just make our own Euros."

This comes ironically since Enrique was the Barcelona manager for 3 years. His allegiance this year doesn't lie what so ever with Real Madrid perhaps influenced by his spell at the Bernabeu from 1991-1996 which he stated following the early 1995 El Clasico that he "rarely felt appreciated by Real Madrid supporters and didn't have good memories there."

After being appointed as Barca head coach, the team was once again riddled with success including another Champions League and to rub salt into the wound for the Los Blancos fans who passionately believed he was a traitor, he further emphasised his devotion to the club by kissing the badge after every El Clasico goal for the Catalans.

Enrique was one of the only footballing greats to transfer from the capital to Catalonia with countless others moving vice vera like Luis Figo and Michael Laudrup.

Enrique's selfishness to the Real Madrid players like veteran Spaniard Sergio Ramos this season, was justified very clearly in his latest press conference,"I've not included Ramos because he's bot been able to play much this season," Enrique said. "Especially since January he's not been fit enough, and at times not even training with the group at his club.

"It wasn't easy, but I called him last night (Sunday) and we had a difficult and tough conversation. I feel bad as he's a player who has always been at the top level and has a future with the national team. It's a decision that I've taken for the good of the national team and the group as a whole."

Spain since Luis Enrique's potent introduction in November of 2019 have picked up 5 draws including against Greece, Portugal and Germany. A very average run of form for one of the most prominent European footballing nations. Yet still, Spain advanced to the semi-finals of the Nations League which will commence in October of this year (due to its postponement) against fellow Mediterraneans Italy.

The question in everyone's minds for the upcoming Euro Championship however is, can Spain return to the top and dominate the European football scene by snatching the crown arduously off the likes of bordering rivals Portugal and World Champions France with the absence of Sergio Ramos?

The Madrid centre half tweeted: "I have fought and worked every day, in body and soul, to be able to reach 100% for Real Madrid and the national team but things don't always work out the way we'd like.

"It pains me not to have been able to help my team more and not to play for Spain but, in this case, the best thing to do is rest, fully recover and come back next year like we've always done. It hurts not to represent your country, but I have to be honest and sincere. I wish all my teammates the very best of luck and I hope we have a great Euros. I'll be another fan cheering on from home."

It could prove pivotal to the success of the Spaniards in this tournament where they are grouped with Poland, Sweden and Slovakia. Can Enrique's confidence in Laporte defend the most clinical striker in football at the moment in Poland's Robert Lewandowski though?

A valiant manager guiding this young and spirited team who have the ambition to surprise with attacking pressure, will direct Spain to be entertaining in this year's Euros yet more inexperienced than ever before.

Spain's 26-man Euros 2020 Squad:

Goalkeepers: Unai Simon (Athletic Bilbao), David de Gea (Manchester United), Robert Sanchez (Brighton)

Defenders: Jose Gaya (Valencia), Jordi Alba (Barcelona), Pau Torres (Villarreal), Aymeric Laporte (Manchester City), Eric Garcia (Manchester City), Diego Llorente (Leeds), Cesar Azpilicueta (Chelsea)

Midfielders: Sergio Busquets (Barcelona), Rodri (Manchester City), Pedri (Barcelona), Thiago Alcantara (Liverpool), Koke (Atletico Madrid), Fabian Ruiz (Napoli), Marcos Llorente (Atletico Madrid)

Forwards: Dani Olmo (RB Leipzig), Mikel Oyarzabal (Real Sociedad), Alvaro Morata (Juventus), Gerard Moreno (Villarreal), Ferran Torres (Manchester City), Adama Traore (Wolves), Pablo Sarabia (Paris St-Germain)

Former Frenchman centre-back has a demanding job to keep his net locked across Europe alongside his Manchester City companion Eric Garcia as Ramos will be cheering for clean sheets in the stands.

How Villarreal Have The Chance To Ruin United And Real Madrid's Title Conquest

 

Villarreal have the chance to disintegrate the trophy hopes of Real Madrid and Manchester United.

They face title challengers Real Madrid on the final match day in La Liga while 4 days later they travel to Gdansk to compete in the Europa League final against United.

The Yellow Submarine are undoubtedly not expected to come out with victories in these two rigorous back-to-back games however if they do defy all odds the rewards could be phenomenal and the humiliation of these so-called European giants would be even greater.

The European Super League sparked exponential outrage and protests from all fans across the continent and Villarreal could ultimately reinforce this like numerous smaller sides but this time at the biggest stage of them all.

Villarreal's UCL campaigns against Man United

In the Champions League, Villarreal competed against Manchester United in the 2004/05 tournament where Villarreal were undefeated in the group stage with United finishing last with their results consisting of two goalless draws against the Spanish side. 

Another meeting between the sides occurred in the 2008/09 competition when another two stalemates occurred again. Even at Old Trafford under the famous Sir Alex Ferguson did United not score a single goal against their bogey team in the UCL.

Cristiano Ronaldo in the UCL vs Villarreal.

The 2004/05 camping was the most memorable and commemorated in the Spanish club's history as they reached the semi-finals.

They have the chance this year to do even better arguably, with a Europa League to add to their triumph-less trophy cabinet and also to knock Real Madrid cynically off the podium of La Liga by overcoming them.This however requires goals to defeat their formidable opponents and Manchester United, I'm sure will have a sense of vindictiveness heading into Wednesday's final.

Talisman Forlán:

The golden era was upon the Spaniards in the first decade of this century especially influenced by Diego Forlan abandoning Manchester United in 2004 in a bid for a new start in Villarreal. 

During the same season, the club's centre-forward Diego Forlán won the Pichichi Trophy for top scorer in the league, with 25 goals amidst the club's triumph of finishing 3rd in the league to grant yet another European qualification.The transfer paid off as he shared the European Golden Shoe in 2005 with Thierry Henry and helped to fend off against his former club in the Champions League the next season. 

Since his departure, the eye of a tiger talisman has been absent in the side until Gerard Moreno's arrival whose form this season has been similar to that of the Uruguayan attacker 15 years ago.

Could the man with 29 goals and one in front of Bruno Fernandes, two in front of Harry Kane this term, be the difference maker in Gdansk next week?

Match Previews:

Their tie against Manchester United was rescheduled to Wednesday 26th May 2021 8pm GMT.

"The order of priority is the game we play in the competition in which we are in," Emery told journalists at his most recent press conference.

"La Liga is the one that marks our consistency and the objective that is to be in Europe. We already ran out of options to (finish) among the top four.

"Then there is the Europa League and La Liga, which is only one that gives us access to this. And then there is the Conference League, which should not be demeaned because it is a European competition.

"We have the option of playing for a title that is important like the Europa League. The ambitions objective is given by the Europa League and the important goal is given by La Liga.

"On Saturday we will have an eye ob the Manchester United game. It is important that we play on Saturday and I think we deserved it because we are in the final representing Spanish football."

Emery is also optimistic for Nigerian winger Samuel Chukwueze to feature in the final, after the 22-year-old sustained an injury in their semi-final against Arsenal where they prevented an 'all-english' European final.

Emery has hinted that he is optimistic about having Nigerian winger Samuel Chukwueze available for the final, after he sustained an injury in their semi-final second leg against Arsenal.

Villarreal look to be in prime position to take home a guaranteed Europa League spot and even a Champions League spot with the support of European mastermind Unai Emery and their fans.

Duda: The Coach Of Cartagena Pursuing to Dream Title Against Former Club El Pozo Where He Was On The Brink Of Sharing The Court With Diego Maradona

 

Jimbee Cartagena coach Duda narrowly lost the chance to take revenge on his former club also from Murcia, where he left a remarkable legacy and this time everything was at stake.

El Pozo are now level on 64 points with Levante and now leaders Palma following match day 32 after their recent, emphatic 3-2 win. It has been an extraordinary LNFS campaign and it has all led to the denouement of the now 5 way title race.

Current LNFS Table

Levante were breezing and looked to be striding towards their inaugural championship but this slipped away within an instance. A spell of demoralising form in domestic cups among several points dropped against all sorts of sides has sparked, several others to emerge to vie for this prestigious title.

Cartagena and El Pozo Murcia have propelled to the peak of Spanish Futsal but in different circumstances. This crucial head-to-head was a deciding factor to who indeed takes home the prize and fans from both sides of the Spanish principality were be eager to see the outcome. 

The dismal aftermath for Cartagena was a dismal defeat to local rivals and now the slim prospect of winning the championship instead of the incredible one.

El Pozo Murcia have been substantially more successful than their local counterparts, partly influenced to the magic of Brazilian mastermind Duda. Former player of El Pozo in the 1990s began his illustrious takeover in charge of the club in 2001.

Unexpectedly and incredibly, prior to the start of his managerial career, Duda could of experienced the pinnacle of sporting privileges by playing with Argentine football icon Diego Maradona.

In 1991 El Pozo proposed an outrageous bid to sign him with the aim of making him the star of the team in the 91-92 season. The Argentine star, who was not living his best days after the controversy that was generated by the fifteen- month sanction for the player's positive after a Naples game, received an offer of 100 million pesetas from Murcia. The then president of El Pozo, Eloy Jiménez, made it clear that nothing was a "bluff", and that with Diego Armando the pavilions would be filled. "We offer him the possibility of rehabilitating himself in sports and changing his life and image after the Italian scandal," added Jiménez. Everything was left in a wish that could not be fulfilled.

El Pozo's attempts to sign Diego Maradona outlined in 1991 newspaper article.

This was in the midst of playing for Napoli in 1991 where Diego Armando had a drug crisis, vastly influenced by the psychological deterioration of fame and defeating Italy in the World Cup, the place where he was dearly loved but crushed the fans dreams.

This man was dedicated to futsal in his youth and a man who ultimately revolutionised the game of football with his small physique but possessing no less of an ability than any other player and just a model of flair and technical brilliance. This was all developed through futsal in Argentina, the most prominent nation in futsal popularity and a key nation of founding our beautiful game.

This could have been the turning-point for futsal and would of been. It really is just incredible!

The euphoria just hearing of this news in the 90s experienced by Duda must have been overwhelming, so twenty years later can he individually transform a team absent of triumphs into a European powerhouse?

The Costa Colida coach recently appeared on the media expressing his thoughts prior to the bout, “Both teams know that a loss there would make it very difficult for us to be at the top. We have three games ahead of us, but this is key because it is against a direct rival, ”explained Duda.

The Jimbee Cartagena coach has defined the rival team as "a team with a lot of potential, many virtues and with clear ideas" and predicts that it will be a "very competitive game against a team that is having a very good season." 

The task was daunting for both sets of players heading into the game at the Murcia Sports Place where stakes are exceptional high and Duda wanted to feel full of confidence “it is another challenge that we have ahead of us and we are going to try to achieve it”.

The aftermath however, was El Pozo leaving a significant dent in their rivals' trophy hopes after their 3-2 victory yesterday against them. A completely dominant display, very much defensively, from Diego Giustozzi's side until two goals in the second half from Cartagena in quick succession coinciding with relentless pressure especially with Duda's introduction of a fly-keeper, forced the hosts to scrape a victory.

The race remains tight with even the out of form Barcelona able to reach another title. Dropping of points will prove costly and underdogs Levante and Cartagena have the chance that they have been granted, to eradicate the giants of Spains' title hopes and clinch their first titles for themselves. 

The teams must watch out and fight their way to the finish line in this unprecedented LNFS season finale.