Futsal Cup reaches its climax

The FA Futsal Cup Finals 2009
Friday 3 July - Sunday 5 July 2009
English Institute of Sport, Sheffield

For the second week in succession, the English Institute Of Sport in Sheffield will be going Futsal crazy over the next few days, as the Finals of The FA Futsal Cup take place.

Starting on Friday, 32 of the best men’s and women’s teams in the country will do battle to get their hands on the Cup in a competition where the standard is always high and fierce.

Teams have qualified for the Finals in a variety of ways, such as via The FA National Futsal League, the University BUCS Championship and from a series of regional qualifiers, meaning that there is every chance of a few upsets along the way.

Last year’s men's champions Helvecia will be back to defend their title, whilst perennial challengers such as FC White Bear, Tranmere Victoria and Kickers FC will no doubt have their eyes on a challenge. There are also several newcomers involved such as London outfit FC Lietuva and Birmingham youngsters Streetly, who will be out to challenge them.

Doncaster Rovers Belles lifted the women’s title in 2008 and they will also be back to defend their title, after being called into the competition as a late replacement for Loughborough University.

However, last year’s beaten Finalists and 2007 winners Watford Ladies will have hopes of exacting their revenge in what looks to be an exciting women’s competition.

The FA Futsal Cup format sees four groups of four teams play each other, before the top two from each group progress to the knock-out stages which include a Quarter Final, Semi-Final and then The Final.

The bottom two from each group also get the opportunity to keep on competing, as they go on to contest the Shield.

FA Futsal Cup 2009 Draw

Men’s

GROUP A
Middlesbrough
Worcester University
Team Bath
London United

GROUP B
Helvecia FC
Sheffield & Hallamshire FC
Loughborough Students
FC Lietuva

GROUP C
Hartpury College
Kickers
Dengo United
FC White Bear

GROUP D
Leeds Met Carnegie
Tranmere Victoria
Streetly
Genesis FC

Women’s

GROUP A
Leeds Met Carnegie
Crewe Alexander
Westminster 5’s
Staffs United

GROUP B
Doncaster Rovers Belles
Crispy United FC
Frome Town Ladies
United Again

GROUP C
Enfield Ladies Red
Watford Ladies
Team Birmingham
Willesden Ladies

GROUP D
Wellingborough Diamonds
Brazil Girls FC
Leominster Town Ladies
TNS Shrewsbury Town