Champions Luxol St. Andrews secured a historic spot in the Elite Round of the UEFA Futsal Champions League after defeating Dutch champions Hovocubo in another game from Group 3 of the UEFA Futsal Champions League Main Round Path A at the University Sports Complex on Thursday. A win which put Gabriel Dobre’s side in second place on four points, two behind leaders Barca.

Maikinho put Luxol ahead after just 22 seconds and an own goal by Lahcen Bouyouzan on the 7th minute enabled them to double the score. A Dejan Bizjak penalty extended the lead just before the end of the first half.

Captain Mats Velseboer was sent off for Hovocubo and Luxol took full advantage making it 4-0 thanks to Fumasa on the 27th. Hovocubo pulled one back to Abdelmouhaimin Amghar with five minutes to go but two minutes later, Maikinho scored again for Luxol to make it 5-1.

HOVOCUBO Melvin Habets, Faisel Mellah, Abdessamad Attahiri, Iliass Bouzit, Lahcen Bouyouzan.
Subs: David Stet, Oualid Tarifit, Tijani Cherkaoui Rhazouani, Mats Velseboer, Abdelmouhaimin Amghar, Nabil Akaazoun, Hicham Aklalouch, Noureddine Oulad Ben Youssef.

LUXOL Celio, Celino Alves, Veve, Maikinho, Dejan Bizjak.
Subs: Stefan Vella, Diece, Victor Oliveira Dias, Mark Zammit, Andy Mangion, Marwan Telisi, Jhonn Anderson Castro Pulido, Emil Raducu, Fumasa.

First Referee: Miguel Castilho POR
Second Referee: Nicola Manzione ITA
Third Referee: Stefan Vrijens BEL
Timekeeper: Andrea Naudi MLT

Meanwhile in another match, European champions Barça defeated Dobovec of Slovenia 8-0.

On Saturday, Hovocubo take on Dobovec at 16:00 while Luxol host Barça at 19:00.

The UEFA Futsal Champions League elite round draw on 3 November will split the 16 contenders progressing from the main round into four groups that will decide the knockout finalists.

The elite round will be played from 22 to 27 November and the four group winners will progress to the finals in April/May, with the hosts to be confirmed.