Futsal World Cup 1996
| Futsal World Cup 1996 | |
|---|---|
| 3rd FIFA Futsal (Indoor) World Championship | |
|
|
| Number of nations | 16 (of 48 applicants) |
| World Champion |
 Brazil (3rd title)
|
| venue |
 Spain
|
| Opening game | November 24, 1996 |
| Endgame | December 8, 1996 |
| Games | 40 |
| Gates | 290 (⌀: 7.25 per game) |
| spectator | 116,400 (⌀: 2,910 per game) |
| Top scorer |
Manoel (14 goals)
|
| Best player |
Manoel
|
 yellow cards
|
64 (⌀: 1.6 per game) |
 Yellow-red cards
|
1 (⌀: 0.03 per game) |
 Red cards
|
2 (⌀: 0.05 per game) |
The 3rd FIFA Futsal World Cup took place in Spain from November 24th to December 8th, 1996 . The 16 participating teams played the third futsal world champion in 40 games under the auspices of FIFA .
The Brazilian team was able to defend their title again with a 6-4 win in the final against hosts Spain. The Russian team won the match for third place 3-2 against their country neighbor Ukraine. The Brazilian Manoel was named top scorer with 14 goals and also named the best player of the tournament.
Hosts and venues
The tournament was held in four halls in as many Spanish cities. The teams in a group only played in one city. The preliminary round groups A and B were played in Murcia , groups C and D in Segovia . All the games in the intermediate round took place in Castellón . The semi-finals and finals were finally played in Barcelona at Palau Sant Jordi .
- In the Palacio de Deportes de Murcia twelve round matches were played. The hall, built in 1994, offered space for 7,500 spectators and after its completion was considered one of the most modern multifunctional arenas in Europe.
- In the Pabellón Polideportivo Municipal Pedro Delgado in Segovia twelve preliminary round matches took place. The hall, built in 1991, offered space for up to 2,500 spectators
- The twelve games of the intermediate round took place in the Pabellón Ciutat de Castelló . The hall had an audience capacity of 4,375 and was opened in 1994.
- The Palau Sant Jordi in Barcelona hosted the finals of the third Futsal World Cup. Up to 15,500 spectators could watch the games in the hall built in 1990.
Qualifications and participants
A total of 47 associations competed for the 15 final round places, four years earlier only 23 registered for qualification. Spain as host were automatically qualified. For the first time there were qualifiers in all six confederations.
In Europe, Russia, Belgium, the Netherlands, Italy and the Ukraine prevailed from among 17 interested parties. The qualifying tournaments also served to determine the final round participants for the 1996 European Futsal Championship . The hosts won the European Championship tournament held in Spain in January 1996 against Russia.
In the South American qualification, six national teams played for three places. In addition to the reigning world champions Brazil, Uruguay and Argentina prevailed. Paraguay lost in the game for third qualifying place with 1: 2 against Argentina.
There were also six registrations from North and Central America for two starting positions. In addition to the United States, who finished second in the 1992 World Cup, Cuba managed to qualify for the tournament in Spain.
Only one place in the finals was available for Africa. In a qualifying tournament with five participants, Egypt prevailed just ahead of Ghana.
Asia was able to send three participants. The qualification was divided into three regions. The People's Republic of China qualified in the East Asia group, Iran won the qualification in the West Asian group, and Malaysia prevailed against Brunei and the Philippines in Southeast Asia.
The Oceanic Association was able to nominate a participant. The tournament held in August 1996 on Vanuatu was dominated by the Australian team, which prevailed with 69: 8 goals and 18 points from six games against the three competitors.
It was the first time Egypt, Cuba, Malaysia, Ukraine and Uruguay had participated in a FIFA Futsal World Cup.
| 6 from Europe |
 Belgium
|
 Italy
|
 Netherlands
|
 Russia
|
 Spain
|
 Ukraine
|
|||
| 3 from South America |
 Argentina
|
 Brazil
|
 Uruguay
|
|
| 3 from Asia |
 China
|
 Iran
|
 Malaysia
|
|
| 2 from North and Central America |
 Cuba
|
 United States
|
||
| 1 from Africa |
 Egypt
|
|||
| 1 from Oceania |
 Australia
|
mode
It was the first Futsal World Cup where 3 points were awarded for a win. Otherwise, the mode remained unchanged compared to the previous world championships. The 16 teams initially played in four preliminary round groups of four teams each. Within each group, each team played against each other team. The two group best of each group qualified for the second group phase, in which the eight teams were again divided into two groups of four (two preliminary round winners and two preliminary round runners-up per group) and again played a game against each team. The two best in each group qualified for the semi-finals, which took place in the knockout system. If there was a tie during the group stage, the goal difference decided the placement.
Preliminary round
Group A (in Murcia)
| rank | country | Gates | Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Spain
|
18: 3 | 9 |
| 2 |
Ukraine
|
22: 9 | 6th |
| 3 |
Egypt
|
13:19 | 3 |
| 4th |
Australia
|
4:26 | 0 |
| Sun, November 24, 1996, 6 p.m. & 8 p.m. | |||
| Spain | - | Egypt | 7: 2 (4: 0) |
| Australia | - | Ukraine | 2:11 (0: 3) |
| Tuesday, November 26, 1996, 6 p.m. & 8 p.m. | |||
| Egypt | - | Australia | 8: 2 (2: 1) |
| Ukraine | - | Spain | 1: 4 (0: 4) |
| Thursday, November 28, 1996, 12:00 p.m. & 8:00 p.m. | |||
| Egypt | - | Ukraine | 3:10 (1: 5) |
| Spain | - | Australia | 7: 0 (2: 0) |
In Group A, the two European teams dominated. Egypt and Australia were without a chance and were eliminated after the preliminary round. As expected, hosts Spain were able to win the group, Ukraine advanced to the second round when they participated for the first time.
Group B (in Murcia)
| rank | country | Gates | Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Netherlands
|
13: 6 | 7th |
| 2 |
Russia
|
15: 5 | 5 |
| 3 |
Argentina
|
7: 9 | 4th |
| 4th |
People's Republic of China
|
3:18 | 0 |
| Mon, November 25, 1996, 6 p.m. & 8 p.m. | |||
| People's Republic of China | - | Argentina | 1: 2 (0: 0) |
| Russia | - | Netherlands | 2: 2 (1: 0) |
| Wed, November 27, 1996, 6 p.m. & 8 p.m. | |||
| Argentina | - | Russia | 2: 2 (2: 2) |
| Netherlands | - | People's Republic of China | 5: 1 (3: 0) |
| Thursday, November 28, 1996, 12:00 p.m. & 8:00 p.m. | |||
| Russia | - | People's Republic of China | 11: 1 (4: 1) |
| Netherlands | - | Argentina | 6: 3 (4: 1) |
In Group B, the Argentine team almost managed to surprise. Due to the draw against Russia, they were about to move into the second round. Only the defeat against the Netherlands made the game out. Ultimately, the two European teams from the Netherlands and Russia qualified. Like four years earlier, the Chinese team had to leave without winning a point.
Group C (in Segovia)
| rank | country | Gates | Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Italy
|
16: 5 | 7th |
| 2 |
Uruguay
|
7: 3 | 7th |
| 3 |
United States
|
12: 7 | 3 |
| 4th |
Malaysia
|
4:24 | 0 |
| Sun, November 24, 1996, 6 p.m. & 8 p.m. | |||
| United States | - | Uruguay | 0: 1 (0: 1) |
| Malaysia | - | Italy | 1:10 (1: 4) |
| Tuesday, November 26, 1996, 6 p.m. & 8 p.m. | |||
| Italy | - | United States | 4: 2 (3: 2) |
| Uruguay | - | Malaysia | 4: 1 (3: 1) |
| Thursday, November 28, 1996, 10:00 a.m. & 12:00 p.m. | |||
| Uruguay | - | Italy | 2: 2 (1: 0) |
| United States | - | Malaysia | 10: 2 (5: 1) |
In Group C, Uruguay surprised the established teams from Italy and the United States. The victory in the opening game against the USA, the World Cup runner-up in 1992, paved the way for Uruguay to the second round. In the last group game they could also score points against the Italians who were rated more strongly and only ended up in 2nd place because of the poorer goal difference. Malaysia could not keep up at this level and was eliminated without a point.
Group D (in Segovia)
| rank | country | Gates | Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Brazil
|
31: 5 | 9 |
| 2 |
Belgium
|
13:10 | 6th |
| 3 |
Iran
|
12:14 | 3 |
| 4th |
Cuba
|
4:31 | 0 |
| Mon, November 25, 1996, 6 p.m. & 8 p.m. | |||
| Iran | - | Cuba | 7: 1 (3: 0) |
| Brazil | - | Belgium | 5: 2 (3: 1) |
| Wed, November 27, 1996, 6 p.m. & 8 p.m. | |||
| Belgium | - | Iran | 5: 2 (0: 0) |
| Cuba | - | Brazil | 0:18 (0: 7) |
| Thursday, November 28, 1996, 6 p.m. & 8 p.m. | |||
| Brazil | - | Iran | 8: 3 (2: 1) |
| Belgium | - | Cuba | 6: 3 (2: 2) |
As expected, defending champions Brazil topped the table in Group D. In the battle for second place, Belgium surprisingly prevailed against the fourth place in the 1992 World Cup and also bought the ticket for the second round. Cuba's 18-0 defeat was the biggest defeat to date in the history of the Futsal World Cup and the highest-scoring game. Four years later, Brazil won against hosts Guatemala 29-2 and clearly surpassed these values again.
Intermediate round
Group E (in Castellón)
| rank | country | Gates | Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Spain
|
8: 2 | 9 |
| 2 |
Russia
|
9: 4 | 6th |
| 3 |
Italy
|
5: 8 | 3 |
| 4th |
Belgium
|
4:12 | 0 |
| Sun, December 1, 1996, 10:00 a.m. & 12:00 p.m. | |||
| Italy | - | Belgium | 4: 1 (1: 1) |
| Spain | - | Russia | 2: 0 (1: 0) |
| Mon, December 2, 1996, 6 p.m. & 8 p.m. | |||
| Russia | - | Italy | 3: 0 (1: 0) |
| Belgium | - | Spain | 1: 2 (1: 0) |
| Wed, December 4, 1996, 6 p.m. & 8 p.m. | |||
| Russia | - | Belgium | 6: 2 (2: 1) |
| Spain | - | Italy | 4: 1 (2: 1) |
In group E there were only European teams. European champions Spain managed to qualify for the semifinals, as did vice European champions Russia. Belgium and Italy, third and fourth placed at the European Championships held in January 1996, could not hold their own against Spain and Russia again.
Group F (in Castellón)
| rank | country | Gates | Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Brazil
|
12: 5 | 7th |
| 2 |
Ukraine
|
11: 9 | 5 |
| 3 |
Uruguay
|
10:14 | 3 |
| 4th |
Netherlands
|
9:14 | 1 |
| Sat, November 30, 1996, 6 p.m. & 8 p.m. | |||
| Netherlands | - | Ukraine | 4: 4 (3: 2) |
| Brazil | - | Uruguay | 5: 2 (3: 1) |
| Sun, December 1, 1996, 6 p.m. & 8 p.m. | |||
| Uruguay | - | Netherlands | 5: 4 (0: 1) |
| Ukraine | - | Brazil | 2: 2 (1: 1) |
| Tue, December 3, 1996, 6 p.m. & 8 p.m. | |||
| Ukraine | - | Uruguay | 5: 3 (3: 2) |
| Netherlands | - | Brazil | 1: 5 (0: 2) |
As expected, title favorites Brazil prevailed in Group F. Ukraine made it into the semi-finals when they participated for the first time and were the only team in the tournament to win points against Brazil. Uruguay also surprised in the second round and was able to win against the Netherlands. In the decisive game against Ukraine they lost just 3: 5. The Netherlands disappointed in the second round and, like four years earlier, were eliminated in the second round.
Final round
Semifinals
| December 6, 1996 | Barcelona |
Brazil
|
- |
Russia
|
6: 2 (2: 0) | |
| December 6, 1996 | Barcelona |
Spain
|
- |
Ukraine
|
4: 1 (2: 0) |
In the semi-finals of the 3rd Futsal World Cup, there were two one-sided games. The favorites Brazil and Spain prevailed clearly and without major problems against Russia and Ukraine.
3rd place match
| December 8, 1996 | Barcelona |
Russia
|
- |
Ukraine
|
3: 2 (1: 1) |
The Russian team just won the game for third place. Ukraine were able to equalize the lead of the Russians twice, the winning goal in favor of Russia fell four minutes before the end of the game.
final
| December 8, 1996 | Barcelona |
Brazil
|
- |
Spain
|
6: 4 (3: 1) |
In the final, the two tournament favorites faced each other with the two-time world champion Brazil and the reigning European champion and host Spain. In front of 15,500 spectators at the Palau Sant Jordi , the Brazilian team prevailed 6: 4 in a tight final. Spain fell behind with two goals early on, but fought their way four times for one goal and never gave up. Ultimately, it was the somewhat greater individual skills of the Brazilian players that made the difference over the compact Spaniards. It was Brazil's third title and remained FIFA Futsal World Champion.
Best goal scorers
| rank | player | Gates |
|---|---|---|
| 1 |
Manoel Tobias
|
14th |
| 2 |
Chôco
|
10 |
 Oleksandre Moskaliuk
|
10 | |
| 4th |
 Hashem Hidari
|
8th |
 Konstantin Eremenko
|
8th | |
|
Sandrinho
|
8th | |
|
Vicentin
|
8th | |
| 8th |
Finiho
|
7th |
|
Santi
|
7th | |
| 10 |
 Mohamed Sayed Ibrahim
|
6th |
 Andrea Bearzi
|
6th | |
 Henny Lettinck
|
6th | |
|
Oleh Coverly
|
6th |
Awards
The Brazilian Manoel Tobias was voted the best player of the tournament and was awarded the Golden Ball . At the same time he also received the Golden Shoe for the best goalscorer. His compatriot Chôco took second place in both ratings. The third best player was the Spanish captain Vicentin . Third best scorer was the Ukrainian Oleksandre Moskaliuk with ten tournament goals like the runner-up, but fewer assists. The fair play prize went to tournament winners Brazil.
Conclusion
The tournament was all about the professionalization of the sport and was dominated by the European and South American teams. All teams from Europe and two of the three participants from South America qualified for the intermediate round. While the USA and Iran made it to the semi-finals in 1992, all participants from the member associations of Africa, Asia, Oceania and North and Central America were eliminated in the preliminary round. Compared to the previous World Cup in Hong Kong in 1992, clear progress in tactics and in the selection of players could be seen.
At the tactical level there was a clear increase in the importance of the collective. Individual actions took a back seat and were mostly thwarted by the well-organized defensive behavior of the teams. Instead, the focus was increasingly on the quick circulation of the ball within their own ranks. The sudden change in the pace of the game was also increasingly used. While four years earlier the games were mostly played in a steady rhythm, the top teams in particular were able to pose problems for their opponents by varying the playing style.
Most of the players in the top teams in this tournament were now specialized in futsal. In the second round, only Belgium and the Netherlands had players in the squad, some of whom also played free football. The players of the four semi-finalists Spain, Brazil, Ukraine and Russia had been training for a long time under almost professional conditions and were all futsal specialists.
With the introduction of a special indoor ball, the game got some new variants. Praise was often used as a pass variant, passes were also played with the outside of the instep significantly more often than four years before, and the Brazilian players in particular often used picks when shots on goal.
The referees also showed a specialization. Whilst full-field referees were instructed in the rules and regulations shortly before the tournament in Hong Kong in 1992, the 17 referees deployed in this tournament were able to demonstrate previously directed futsal games. The fact that the world governing body FIFA had not yet published any universal rules and therefore there were differences in the interpretation of the rules caused minor problems . To remedy this problem, after the World Cup, FIFA set up a working group made up of futsal experts, referees and members of the Technical Commission; whose main task was the development of a uniform, globally valid set of rules, which was passed in 1999, but which took some time to be implemented.
A number of suggestions for future events came from the team coaches. In the future, instead of the goal difference, a direct comparison should be decisive in the event of a tie, the last matchday in the group phase should always be played at the same time and the rules should be standardized worldwide. The hosting of U-18 and U-20 World Championships was also suggested, as were changes to the rules (throwing the goalkeeper over the center line, shortening the free kick without a wall). The suggestions were partially implemented, four years later in Guatemala the last group matches always took place at the same time, and the proposed changes to the rules were also made. A standardization of the set of rules has not yet been achieved four years later, the Junior World Championships have not yet been held to this day (as of 2008).
The organizers were also able to look forward to a high level of audience interest. A total of almost 67,000 spectators attended the 40 games, with two games being played one after the other, which means that an average of around 3,300 visitors attended the individual games.
Web links
- Official FIFA website for the 1996 tournament
- Technical Report: Spain '96 - 3rd FIFA Futsal (Indoor) World Championship Part 1 (PDF; 14.2 MB) Part 2 ( PDF ; 14.7 MB) (English, French, Spanish, German)
