Croatia players, coaches and officials celebrate winning the Mediterranean Futsal Cup Photo: Yousef Alajeili

A penalty shoot-out decided the first winners of the Mediterran Futsal Cup in Libya with Croatia becoming the first winners at the end of a keenly contested and amazing final. Croatia won 3- (after 1-1 in normal time) to go down in history as the first victors of the competition.

Libya v Croatia 1-1
(Croatia win after penalty shoot-out, 3-1)

So close were the two sides at the end of normal time, that the game, locked at 1-1 after 40 minutes, had to go into extra time and a penalty-taking contest, with Croatia proving to have slightly better players at scoring from the spot to win the title.

So, after 10 days of futsal at its best, former Libya coach Mato Stankovic managed to lead the team from his native country to victory at the inauguration of this important regional competition that has proved to be most interesting.

The tournament caught the imagination of futsal fans, in Libya where the crowds turned out in full force, particularly to support their team, but also in the other 15 participating nations.

It was a ding-dong battle throughout, with defences dominating despite efforts from both teams to make it a high-scoring final. Libya were the first to threaten from a Mohamed Rahoma effort that Ivo Jukic in Croatia’s goal saved for a corner. But Croatia too had chances in which to open the scoring, particularly Josip Suton and Novak who were foiled by Alsharif.

Libya played a waiting game, soaking up the pressure and than counterattacking. Urged on by a crowd of some 5,000 packed at the September 23 Hall, Libya still tried hard to find the breakthrough and pave the way to victory. However, slowly but surely Croatia were getting on top and controlling the game, restricting Libya to shots from distance that were of no danger.

Then close to the 12th minute Croatia went ahead with a goal by the tournament’s best player, Dario Marinovic. It was unfortunate for the hosts to find themselves in arrears. The chance arrived after Hamdi Ismail Elshwain slipped and let in the Croat who smashed the ball in.

Once in the lead Croatia decided to sit back, thus playing into the Libyans’ hands. However, despite all there pressure the hosts could not find a way through to goal to get the elusive equaliser.

At this time, although it was still very early in the game, Croat coach Stankovic must have been sensed that the day might prove to be a successful one for his team. He joined Croatia in the summer and his main aim was to prepare the team for this event. In pre-final comments Stankovic was quoted saying that they came to Libya “to learn and grow”.

But the game was not over yet. There was still much to play for and Libya looked even more determined to get back into the fray in the second half and they started banging at the Croatia defence in search of goals. It did not take them long to draw level. Soon after hitting the post, in the 25th minute Basher Hasan Bader beat Ivo Jukic.

At the other end Alsharif saved brilliantly, while at the other end Rabie was first denied by Jukic and then missed a golden opportunity to put Libya ahead.

Both sets of players tried their all to get the winning goal, but just failed, and the game went into extra time that was again very close and with the respective keepers distinguishing themselves.

The atmosphere for the final minutes leading to the final whistle was electric. Both sets of players tried hard to break down the respective defensive set-ups. Libya had the better chances but they were missed, particularly late on when Eslshwain shot wide from a few metres out, and the match went into the penalty-taking contest.

Libya’s inability to score from the spot let them down completely. It proved their downfall, while the Croat goalkeeper Ivo Jukic managed to become his side’s hero by saving every penalty taken by Libya.

Matija Capar started the scoring for Croatia, while Libyan Suleiman Mohamed’s kick was saved. Then Tihomir Novak again scored for the victors with Jukic saving Elshwain’s kick. It looked odds on that Croatia would clinch it, and they eventually did, but not before. Dario Minovic missed, and likewise Mohamed Shahout for Libya.

It was a tough blow for Libya on home soil, but all the fans are proud of what they managed to achieve. Reaching the final was not easy and losing to Croatia is no disgrace. They have earned the respect of the futsal world. It also confirmed them as the leading light in African futsal.

Libya: (Starting Five): Mohamed Ali Omer Alsharif, Hasan Basher Bader, Hamdi Ismail Elshwain, Ahmed Mohamed Rahoma, Suleiman Mohamed. (Substitutions): Ali Masud Ben Fatah, Sami Abdussalam, Fathi Ali M. Alkhoga, Abdelrahim Rabie, Mahamed Shahout, 15 Abdulhalim Asghayer, Ayman Ibrahim Elshami.

Croatia: (Starting Five): Ivo Jukic, Matija Capar, Dario Marinovic, Josip Suton, Tihomir Novak.(Substitutions): Zarko Luketin, Jakov Grcic Jakov, Matija Dulvat, Josko Zarkovic, Dean

The match for third place was won by Slovenia who beat France by 3-2.
Therefore all the results that determined the final placing of the 16 participants in the 1st Mediterranean Futsal Cup were the following: Winners win the placing.

1st/2nd Place
CROATIA v Libya 3-1
3rd/4th Place
SLOVENIA v France 4-2
5th/6th Place
MOROCCO v Lebanon 6-2
7th/8th Place
BOSNIA-HRERZEGOVINA v Tunisia 5-2
9th/10th Place
TURKEY v Greece 11-10
11th/12th Place
ALBANIA v Algeria 3-1
13th/14th Place
SYRIA v Cyprus 9-8
15th/16th Place
MALTA v Palestine 3-1