CROATIA - RUSSIA 2:2 (1:1)
UEFA Futsal EURO, Group C.
Arena Beograd, Belgrade.
Referees: Pelissier (Francuska), Zahovič (Slovenija)
Goalscorers: 1:0 - Robinho (9' - ag), 1:1 - Abramov (12'), 2:1 - Novak (25'), 2:2 - Pereverzev (39')
Yellow cards: Kutuzov (3'), Jelovčić (3'), Lyskov (10'), Suton (16')
Croatia: Jukić, Jelovčić, Novak, Marinović, Suton; Bilić, Matošević, Grcić, Grbeša, Petrović, Babić, Pandurević, Đuraš, Horvat. Head coach: M. Stanković.
Russia: Gustavo, Kutuzov, Milovanov, Davydov, Robinho; Vikulov, Shayakhmetov, Sergeev, Romulo, Pereverzev, Lyskov, Eder Lima, Abramov, Shakirov. Head coach: S. Skorovich.
foto: Mario Ćužić
Following the loss against Kazakhstan on Friday, Croatia was seeking a two-goal margin victory against European vice-champions Russia to go through to the second round.
Croatia crowned quality opening minutes with a goal in the ninth minute, when Matošević's effort from the left was deflected by Robinho into his own net.
foto: Mario Ćužić
However, Russia found the equalizer following Robinho's corner in the 12th minute. Jukić could not stop Abramov's excellent volley, and the teams went to half-time break with 1:1 score, and five fouls each.
Five minutes into the second half, Jelovčić found Novak with a beautiful back-heel move, and Novak beat Gustavo in one-on-one situation to get Croatia back in front.
foto: Mario Ćužić
A third goal for Croatia would then be enough, but Russia finally exploited Croatian risk-taking in the closing minutes through Pereverzev strike for 2:2.
Novak then failed to convert a penalty and Russia could start celebrating topping the Group C.
UEFA Futsal EURO, Group C:
1. Russia 4
2. Kazakhstan 3
3. Croatia 1
