In yesterday's semi-finals of the UEFA Futsal Champions League 2019/20, ElPozo Murcia defeated Tyumen 2:1, and Barcelona KPRF on penalties 5:4 (3:3, regular time).
On Sunday (20:00 CET) we will watch the first all-Spanish final in competition's 19-year history.
In the first semi-final match, Rafa opened the scoreline for Murcia in 15' and Abramovich equalized in 24'. In 32' Alberto Garcia scored the winner and pushed ElPozo to their second final in history.
> ElPozo Murcia - Tyumen 2:1 (HIGHLIGHTS)
"Everything we prepared, studied and talked about we did 100%. We allowed them just one goal in an isolated move. I really liked that and that we were able to win a game that we don't like to play. We like an open game better and it was the opposite. Playing a game that we don't like to play, we were very serious and very mature.", said Diego Giustozzi, ElPozo's coach for the UEFA.com.
Tyumen's coach Nikolai Ivanov was, of course, of a different mood:
"We lost today, and any coach would be disappointed. Our players now have tears in their eyes, and that's said. Talking about the game, it was a good one from the emotional point of view. The stands were empty, but we didn't feel that. Both teams showed big emotions."
The second match was a real thriller. Barca had 2:0 advantage after Lozano and Ferrao scored in the early part of the game (7th and 8th). However, Romulo scored for KPRF one second before the half-time, and Asadov equalized in 30'.
After the 40 minutes, the result was 2:2 and the match went into the overtime. Esquerdinha put Barca in another lead in 43', but Nando brought the Russians a new equalizer 11 seconds before the end with a shot from 6m.
In the penalty shoot-out, Barca scored all five kicks, and KPRF's Lin hit the woodwork.
"Personally it's a joy, it's our third finals in a row and now we've been lucky enough to make the final. Although we are not in the best physical shape because we have just started the season, we are used to playing with little time between games. We have enough players to play a game at the highest level on Sunday.", said Andreu Plaza for UEFA.com.
Even though the Russian team showed character, they didn't reach finals in their debut European campaign.
"If we forget the first ten minutes, probably all would agree that Barça wasn't better than us. It was an equal match and I don't think we deserved this loss. When it comes to penalties, it's always 50-50, and luck becomes the main factor. Today luck was on Barça's side, and I congratulate them for this victory. As for us, we need to work, work and work again," said KPRF's player Arser Bagirov for UEFA's official website.