Italy. Here begins the final leg of the race to secure two of the four tickets available for the first Futsal Women’s World Cup. To be frank, Sweden and Hungary don’t stand much of a chance against Portugal and Italy. The Lusitanos (Portugal) have finished second in every UEFA Euro tournament to date. They were so focused on this Elite Round that they played two friendlies against Spain just the week prior.
HERE WE ARE
In their latest match, Portugal dominated Sweden. It was a bloodbath. The Swedish team didn’t even have a chance from the moment the referee blew the whistle to start the game. The mismatch was so glaring that Portugal even gave playing time to their reserve goalkeeper.
Jorge Braz, the head coach of Portugal’s men’s futsal team and a leading figure in the sport’s development since 2010, was in attendance. He’s the mastermind behind Portugal’s first-ever Futsal World Cup victory.
There’s a saying in the English-speaking world: “When you look good, you feel good, and when you feel good, you play well.” This ethos seemed alive in Portugal’s team, with players’ names proudly displayed on their kits. The media coverage by the PFT (Portuguese Futsal Federation) also stood out—the women’s team was treated not as an afterthought, but as equals.
You can tell the Portuguese players sense this momentum. It must be thrilling to be part of something bigger than yourself.
The contrast with the other teams is stark. Watching Portugal’s women’s team, you feel they’re at the heart of a rising movement. Meanwhile, the vibe elsewhere seems more like, “Be grateful we’re letting you play.”
Italy, for their part, got the job done. They swept aside an opponent whose presence underscored the harsh reality of competitive sports: you play even when victory seems impossible. The only way Italy misses the World Cup in the Philippines is if they fail to show up. Apologies to Hungary—it was brutal.
A Shoutout to the Arena
PalaRoma is practically in my backyard. I adore the place, not just for the countless thrilling futsal games I’ve seen there, but also for its affordable beer. The arena was decked out for Italy’s match, drawing around 300 fans—a decent turnout for a Wednesday afternoon. Though, let’s be honest: cheaper beer would’ve made it even better.
Speaking of drinks—did anyone catch that drunkard sprinting through the stands with security guards in tow? Impressive speed for someone so wasted, and he didn’t spill a drop from his giant beer bottle!
Good luck, Italy. Not that you’ll need it.
