Cardiff University gearing up for UEFA Futsal Champions League opener
Cardiff University get their UEFA Futsal Champions League campaign underway later today, as they prepare to make their fourth appearance in the prestigious competition which is being held in Skopje.
After last night’s training session, they are gearing up to face host team and top seeds Shkupi 1927 from North Macedonia, in a 19:30 (BST) kick-off.
The Students were drawn into Group B alongside Shkupi, Lokomotiv Daugavpils from Latvia and Andorran outfit Encamp.
They take on Daugavpils tomorrow at 16:30, before playing their final group game against Encamp on Saturday at the same time.
Sporting CP are the reigning champions, after claiming a maiden title in the 2018/19 version which was held at the Almaty Arena in Kazakhstan.
Cardiff University captain Rhys Williams, who is a Welsh international and a graduate in Maths, has discussed the side’s preparations and what sort of challenge he expects.
“Preparation has been good over the summer with intense training sessions, and the squad has developed a lot, both tactically and physically.
The squad have settled into Skopje well and had a good training session last night.
First game this evening against the hosts and top seeds FC Shkupi.
We will post a link to a live stream if we receive one. #TeamCardiff 🔴⚪️⚫️ pic.twitter.com/UwwStYDwzz
— Cardiff University Futsal (@CdfUniFutsal) August 28, 2019
“We have a new but exciting look to the squad with a few of the more regular players over previous years missing out.
“We’ve brought in some experience from the English leagues, along with a number of strong young players and students ready to compete at the next level.”
For Griffiths and the team, the aims and objectives are clear, while recognising the stiff competition they are likely to face.
“It’s always very tough to play European teams with internationals from a number of strong nations who have grown up as Futsal-specific players.
“However, we feel we are capable of being competitive in all three games with the aim of securing the first win for a Welsh team in the competition.
“So far the experience has been great. The opportunity to compete with professional players is always exciting and Skopje seems like an interesting city that we will hopefully get to see more of over the week.”
How does the competition work?
The competition begins with a nine-group Preliminary Round, with each group winner advancing to the Main Round Path B, alongside seven teams who received byes.
Path B is then split in to four groups of four, with each winner joining 12 teams in the Elite Round – which again consists of four groups of four.
Each group winner then advances to the semi-finals, which will decide who competes in the showpiece final on April 25 or 26.
Cardiff University squad: 1. Nicolo Santi (GK); 2. Alex McDowell; 3. Gareth Emanuel; 4. Rhys Williams; 5. Gary Bell; 6. Ryan Dabbs; 7. Jonny Nelson; 8. Manuel Gomez Dominguez; 9. Adam Brenton; 10. Dean Maynard; 11. Gareth Delve; 12. Michael Baker (GK); 13. Andres Ramirez Lopez; 14. Callum Nippers
(Featured image: Cardiff University Futsal)
