St. Andrews Futsal off to Andorra for UEFA Futsal Cup qualifiers

The Luxol St. Andrews Futsal contingent left Malta on Sunday destination Andorra where they will be facing Italian champions Pescara, Danish side JB Futsal Gentofte and hosts FC Encamp in Group B of the UEFA Futsal Cup Preliminary Round between the 26th and 29th August at the Centre Esportiu Serradells in Andorra la Vella.

The squad has been training hard for the past five weeks ahead of this mini-tournament. Over the past weeks, the squad has been strengthened with the signing of a number of former Balzan players as well as foreigners like Zvezdan Vukovic and Vanderlei Augusto. The team will be led by player-coach Frane Despotovic, while Celino Alves and Florin Anton will be the assistant coaches.

Addressing a press conference on Saturday, president Mario Vella said the team was aware of the strength of their opponents but wanted to do well while trying to take their chances.

Club Chairman Joe Aquilina emphasized his satisfaction for the players in his squad and is hopeful that Luxol are going to have a good tournament.

“I am happy with this set of players who worked relentlessly during these past five weeks and we hope to achieve some positive results in Andorra,” said Aquilina

FMA President Mark Borg, who was present for the press conference, wished them success and praised their organization.

The squad is made up of these players: Reuben Grech, Adrian Attard, Frane Despotovic, Florin Anton, Celino Alves, William Barbosa, Carlo Scicluna, Zvezdan Vukovic, Vanderlei Augusto, Mark Zammit, Karl Saliba, Carl Azzopardi, Matthew Attard and Glenn Bonello.

Other players in the Luxol squad not making the trip to Andorra include Dale Camilleri, Michael Grima, Nicholas Farrugia, Peter Pullicino and Clint Cope.

St. Andrews face Pescara on Wednesday, Encamp on Thursday and Gentofte on Saturday.