The Orange squad had a false start, because after a minute the team was already behind after a goal by Mykhailo Zvarych. After that, the Netherlands seemed to break free and could also leave a mark offensively.
In the remainder of the first part, it got at least as many opportunities as the opponent in the fast-paced duel. Routinier Attaibi, who once played for Ajax as a youth player, was especially dangerous. But his shots were either blocked or parried by the goalkeeper. Karim Mossaoui hit the post just before the halftime signal.
As bad as the first half started, so well started the second. Oualid Saadouni scored with the head, after an assist from goalkeeper Manuel Kuijk. With a nice marker, Mohamed Attaibi made it 2-1, in the rebound after Mats Velseboer had initially encountered the keeper. Halfway through the second half, the Orange team even came in 3-1 via Said Bouzambou. Ukraine did something back three minutes before the end, but the number seven in Europe did not come any further: 3-2.
The tournament, with Amsterdam and Groningen as host cities, has sixteen participating countries. The final is on February 6 in the Ziggo Dome. Due to the corona measures, no spectators are welcome for the time being.
World champion Portugal is off to a great start at the European Championship futsal in Amsterdam
Portugal opened the European Futsal Championship (futsal EURO 2022) in the Ziggo Dome in Amsterdam on Wednesday evening with a win over Serbia. The European and world champion won 4-2 after a difficult start.
On Sunday, the Netherlands will meet the favorites from Portugal. The event lasts until February 6. The public is, for the time being, not allowed.
For the Orange, which has the lowest ranking by distance of all countries in the group, reaching the next phase of the tournament in their own country is the main goal. Tournament director Gijs de Jong hopes that the cabinet will still give permission to admit fans from the knockout phase.