We’ve been giving Futsal a bit of attention lately here at The World Game and it seems we’re not the only ones. The FIFA Futsal World Cup currently taking place in Brazil has attracted the interest of some big name sponsors like Adidas and Nike with aim of taking Futsal all the way to the 2016 Olympic Games. According to promoter Hideraldo Martins, an investment somewhere in the vicinity of $A100.1 million is currently being undertaken to help give Futsal the attention it rightly deserves on the world stage.

Source : The World Game Website  – SBS
By : Mariana Rudan
Published : 12/10/2008
Thanks : Anthony Grima for the link

Name	Tuan Cao
Nickname	Boom Boom
Date of Birth	20.10.1982
State/Country you play Futsal in	NSW, Australia
What got you started in Futsal?	Watching Ronaldinho and Falcao mesmerize people with their tricks..and I wanted to do that too.
What age did you start playing?	24
Preferred on field position	Flanker/Target
Current Team/Club you play for	Campbelltown City Quake
Hardest Futsal opponent	Inner West Allstars/Sydney Magic
Favourite Meal	Lobster cooked in XO sauce
Favourite Hobby	Fast Cars
Favourite Team	Brazil
Favourite Sportsperson	Roger Federer
Favourite Music	RnB
Most Memorable Futsal moment on or off the court	Australia vs Vietnam, I scored a double in 2007 Asean Championships. And 2007 NSW State Titles Grand Final hatrick against Sydney Magic/Peter Spathis
Which coach would you say influenced you the most in Futsal and at what age?	Scott Gilligan, Current Australian Coach and former Campbelltown Quake Head Coach. Age 24.
What was the best tip you’ve ever been taught in Futsal?	Think ahead and never give up your dreams
What goals do you still want to achieve in Futsal?	Play professionally either in Australia or overseas. And get better at what I do best…scoring goals.
List 3 people you would love to have over for dinner	Jessica Alba, Christina Aguilera and off course Angelina Jolie

Name	Gregory James Giovenali
Nickname	Canguru (only in Italy)
Date of Birth	14.8.1987
State/Country you play Futsal in	Rome, Italy
What got you started in Futsal?	My Dad
What age did you start playing?	7
Preferred on field position	Pivot/Flanker
Current Team/Club you play for	S.S. Lazio Colleferro
Hardest Futsal opponent	Lenisio or Edgar Bertoni
Favourite Meal	Pasta
Favourite Hobby	Playstation3
Favourite Team	Liverpool (soccer) Dural Warriors (futsal) hehe
Favourite Sportsperson	Anthony Mundine and Fernando Torres
Favourite Music	R ‘n’ B
Most Memorable Futsal moment on or off the court	On court: Debut for Australia vs. Indonesia winnign 5-1 and scoring 2. Off court: Been first Australian to sign a Professional Deal in Europe aged 16
Which coach would you say influenced you the most in Futsal and at what age?	Tony Chan - aged between 14-16, because he emphasised the basics and discipline needed to go further in the game, I still here his voice when I do something stupid!
What was the best tip you’ve ever been taught in Futsal?	Anyone can attack - those that defend make the difference!
What goals do you still want to achieve in Futsal?	Play in a World Cup with Australia and Play in La Liga in Spain.
List 3 people you would love to have over for dinner	Anthony Mundine, Fernando Torres and Seth MacFarlane

Name	Panos Armenakas
Nickname	Panaldinho
Date of Birth	5.8.1998
State/Country you play Futsal in	NSW Australia
What got you started in Futsal?	My Dad when he set up a futsal comp in Glebe
What age did you start playing?	5
Preferred on field position	Flanks or Pivot
Current Team/Club you play for	U12’s Sydney Magic
Hardest Futsal opponent	They are all challenging if you are not on your game
Favourite Meal	Pasta – all types
Favourite Hobby	Anything that allows me to be active – all sports
Favourite Team	FC Barcelona
Favourite Sportsperson	I have many – Figo, Zidane, Kaka, Ronaldinho, Ronaldo…
Favourite Music	Maroon 5, Santa, Smooth Jazz
Most Memorable Futsal moment on or off the court	Our comeback from 4-0 down to just lose 6-4 in the semis of the national titles U11s, Jan 2008
Which coach would you say influenced you the most in Futsal and at what age?	My Dad from 5-8 because because he gave me the appreciation for just how much Futsal can improve your outdoor game and how enjoyable it is on its own
What was the best tip you’ve ever been taught in Futsal?	Use the sole of your foot to control the ball on the first touch because it allows you to make space quickly
What goals do you still want to achieve in Futsal?	Win Premier League titles, State Titles and National titles, plus, Player of the Season
List 3 people you would love to have over for dinner	Ronaldinho, Pele, Christiano Ronaldo

 

Solomon Kurukuru might not have won any games at the FIFA Futsal World Cup, but off the field they have been big winners as ambassadors for their nation.

If first impressions really are everything, then all of Solomon Islands have benefitted from the six weeks that the fourteen young men have been away.

Most people the team encountered had never met a someone from the Happy Isles before, however if you asked them now to describe a typical Solomon Islander then they would enthusiastically paint a picture of a friendly, respectful, and above all, joyous person.

The scene of Kurukuru leaving the Brasilia Palace Hotel was telling of the relationship that the team built with everyone around them during the tournament. Hotel managers, cleaners, security gaurds, police and various World Cup staff all turned out to say goodbye and wish them well. ‘I’ve been working in the hotel industry for seven years,’ said Team Liason Officer Manager Eduardo, ‘ and I’ve never met a sports group like this before. We love you – thank you.’

On returning from their opening World Cup game against Cuba the boys found a small cake on each of their beds, attached was a note that read ‘Your singing gives our hotel energy, have a nice Championship’. The gesture referred to the team’s morning devotion that begins with two or three songs of praise. What Kurukuru did not know was that their songs carried throughout the hotel and had given staff an uplifting start to the day.

The next morning they were requested to worship not in a small hotel room as usual, but in the lobby. A crowd of staff gathered and Head of Delegation, Pastor Seru lead the team and onlookers through a morning devotion that was memorable for all. ‘They liked our songs, but it’s not only entertainment,’ said Seru, ‘it’s worship. For everyone that’s met us we are not losers because we really represent our nation and Jesus well.’

The way the team played its futsal also won many admirers, including the Brazilian media and Futsal team. Although they were beaten in all their games, Kurukuru’s potential was recognised by people with knowledge of the game and encouraging words were never far away.

At Brasilia airport it was a photographer who worked at the World Cup that liked what he saw. When they got off the plane in Sao Paulo it was a young woman who came over and said that her mother saw them playing on television and was impressed with their spirit and skills. Certainly it is a rare team that loses a match 32-2 and can still inspire a rapturous response from the crowd as they leave the court.

Kurukuru is currently in Dubai, en-route to Singapore, then Brisbane and finally back to home on Sunday at 12:30pm. And friends, family or fans wanting to greet them at Henderson Airport are most welcome – they surely deserve it!

Source : Solomon Times via Press Release (James Ruhfus in Dubai)
Published : 10/10/2008

Solomon Islands National Futsal team the Kurukuru lost with big margins as they finished their FIFA Futsal World Cup in Brazil.

They lost to Cuba 10-2, succumbed to Brazil 21-0, defeated by Japan 7-2 and finally ended by Russia 31-2.

These results speak how our boys can reach in the World Cup level which its means a great experience for the boys.

Compared to Brazil, Cuba, Japan and Russia the Kurukuru are the youngest team and this could be one of the contributing factor.

Despite putting up some brave resistance in their games our boys are out of contention.

However the boys set a record and history scoring total goals of six.

Two goals came from Captain Elliot Ragomo against Cuba, Ron Ginio against Japan and own goal from Japan, Jack Whitney and Micah Leaálafa a piece each against Russia.

Solomon Islands coach Victor Wai’ia said his side would learn from their lesson against the best players in the world.

“It was great to have the chance to play against Brazil. Their technical ability is amazing.

“My team are very young and I believe this was a great learning experience for them. I hope we’ll take something away from this game” he said.

Solomon Island player James Egeta was also appreciative of the Brazilians talents.

“That was a difficult game. We were up against one of the futsal giants. Technicallly, they’re perfect.”

Solomon Islands midfielder Ron Ginio was delighted with his first goal of the tournament.

“I’m over the moon after scoring my first goal at the World Cup. We’ve played three matches, and we’re just thrilled to be here,” Ginio said.

Coach Victor Wai’ia summed up his sides tournament with emphasis on the valuable experience gained by playing against the worlds best.

“Just being part of this World Cup has been a fantastic experience, because we’ve played such strong opponents,” he said.

Source : Solomon Star News
By : Charles Kadamana
Published : 10/10/2008

Tasmanias first State Mens Futsal League comes to you this summer on Saturday nights, so please come along and support your local team, and see the best players in Tasmania ply their trade.

See the full Flyer for the Supa Liga 2008 here : Tasmania Supa Liga 08 Flyer

ROUND ONE 25th October (Moonah Sports Centre, Gormanston Rd)

FREE ENTRY

5pm- Curtain Raiser 10 Year Old Boys State Academy Game
6pm- Sandy Bay Storm vs Newstead Celtic
7pm- Northern Fusion vs Tas. Islanders Southern Youth
8pm- Sth Hobart Stripes vs Hobart Olympic

Teams will be available to meet the kids before and after games.

Please be respectful however during matches to the players.

This is the only place you will see top level Futsal in Tasmania so DON’T MISS OUT.

See the top players from over 100 teams statewide compacted into 6 super teams.

 

Source : Tas Futsal
Published : 9/10/2008

The Queensland City 11 years girls’ futsal team celebrated a win at the National Schools Championships with the help of a little Sunshine Coast magic.

The magic came from Mountain Creek State School futsal superstars Kyla Bills and Lindsay Dombrow.

The girls flew down to Dandenong in Victoria during the school holidays to compete in the Australia-wide competition which ran from September 29 to October 1.

They played six games over the three days and were crowned the winners after beating Tasmania 5-0 in the final.

Kyla’s mother Jenni Bills said the girls were originally selected for the Queensland Country team but were moved into the City team because there were not enough players.

“They scratched the country and far-north Queensland teams in that age group,” Ms Bills said.

Kyla and Lindsay were chosen to play for Queensland at a school futsal competition in Beenleigh and Ms Bills said they were both very excited when they found out about their selection.

“Kyla was absolutely over-the-moon,” she said.

“She went from doing state gymnastics in Western Australia then when we moved over here she didn’t know what to do.

“This is her first year playing futsal.

“She had only really played soccer at lunchtimes before this.”

Source : Sunshine Coast Daily
Published : 9/10/2008

Due to conflicting times with outdoor trials, both Sydney Benfica FC and Sutherland Shire Futsal Association have agreed to push back the starting times for all games this Sunday at Marrickville PCYC.

This is another sign of clubs working together, ensuring that all players possible are available for our wonderful game of futsal.

Good luck to both clubs.

12 Boys – 3.00pm
14 Boys – 3.45pm
13 Girls – 4.30pm
16 Boys – 5.15pm
16 Girls – 6.00pm
Youth – 6.45pm
Women – 7.30pm
Men – 8.15pm

Source : Sydney Benfica FC
Published : 9/10/2008

On October 19th and 26th at Clarence Sports Centre, Futsal Tasmania will be holding trials for State Representative sides in the following age groups:

9am – 10am
10 boys (born 1998 or younger) & 12 girls (born 1996)

10am – 11am
11 boys (born 1997)

11am – 12 noon
12 boys (born 1996)

12 noon – 2pm
14 boys (born 1994)

2pm – 3pm
15 boys (born 1993) & YOUTH boys

*Girls more than welcome to trial in younger age groups with the boys*

Teams from these trials will be picked and if you are successful you will be invited to compete at the 2008 Dalponte Vikings National Club Championships in Sydney against teams from all over Australia and New Zealand for the chance to be Australasian Champions.

The trip will be 12th January 2009 – 19th January 2009 (inclusive of state and club series)

*PLEASE ENSURE THAT YOU ONLY TRIAL IF YOU INTEND ON TRAVELLING TO SYDNEY IF SUCCESSFUL*

Players must then turn up and trial under the guidance of our selection panel at Clarence Sports Centre on October 19th and October 26th. Players must be there 20 minutes early to sign in and be ready to go, given there are only 1 hour lots for trialing. Letters will be sent to players the week following the second trial.

ALL COACHES AND SELECTORS ARE STATE SENIOR REPRESENTATIVES OR HAVE COACHED AT NATIONAL LEVEL PREVIOUSLY

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT YOUR TEAM MANAGER OR STATE CO-ORDINATOR COREY SMITH ON 0437 935 991 OR 1800FUTSAL
EMAIL – corey@vikingsfutsal.com

Source : Futsal Tasmania
Published : 8/10/2008