Head coach Sergey Skorovich FIFA ranking 3 (29 November 2016) Association Russian Football Union Location Russia | FIFA code RUS Appearances 6 (First in 1992) Captain Vladislav Shayakhmetov Confederation UEFA (Europe) | |
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Top scorer Konstantin Eremenko (122) Best result 02 ! Runner-ups, (2016) | ||
The Russian national futsal team (Russian: Сборная России по мини-футболу, Sbornaya Rossii po mini-futbolu) is the national futsal team of Russia. The team is controlled by the Russian Football Union and affiliated with UEFA. Sergey Skorovich is currently managing the team.
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Russia has qualified for six World Cups, 1992, 1996, 2000, 2008, 2012, 2016 and for every edition of the European Championships.
Beginning
Russia's FIFA Futsal World Cup history began inauspiciously in 1992, when a poor defensive record of 16 goals conceded in three matches meant elimination at the group stage. A dramatic turnaround in Spain four years later saw the Russians claim an impressive third spot with a 3–2 success over neighbours Ukraine in the deciding match. Russia's most recent appearance on the world stage came at the 2000 finals in Guatemala, where they took fourth after a 4–2 defeat to Portugal in the third-place play-off. At the UEFA Futsal Championship in late 2007, a new generation picked up the thread of previous FIFA Futsal World Cup performances and finished third, gaining revenge over Portugal for a defeat at the same stage in 2000.
Recently
Russia was drawn in a group of three nations in qualifying for the FIFA Futsal World Cup Brazil 2008, but after France withdrew at the last minute, the berth in the next round was decided in a single eliminator against Serbia. The Russians duly won 3–2 to book a play-off spot with Belarus, one of the surprise packages at the group stage, but the experience of three appearances at the FIFA Futsal World Cup finals told in the end as the Russians eased to a 6–2 aggregate win. Much of the credit goes to keeper Pavel Stepanov for conceding only four goals in three matches. At the final tournament, Russia was drawn in Group A along with Brazil, Japan, Cuba and Solomon Islands. Losing against Brazil and winning the other three games, Russia finished second and qualified for the Second round. This time Russia was drawn in Group F together with Spain, Argentina and Paraguay. After losing to Spain in the opening match, Russia went on to win against Paraguay and draw with Argentina to scrape through to set up a semi-final against Brazil. However, Russia was unable to past Brazil and eventually placed fourth after losing out to Italy in the Third place playoff final.
Star Players
Current squad
The following players were named for 2016 FIFA Futsal World Cup.