Ukraine wins through to UEFA Futsal EURO 2014

KYIV, September 25 /Ukrinform/. Ukraine, Romania, Croatia and the Netherlands have completed the lineup for the UEFA Futsal EURO 2014 in Belgium. After winning the first play-off game against Hungary 2-1 in Kharkiv Ukraine lost 4-5 in a return match, but still progressed on away goals, reads a statement posted on UEFA's official website.

"Ukraine are through to their seventh straight final tournament but only after being given a real scare by Hungary in Gyongyos. Hungary went ahead on away goals with Norbert Lovas's early deflected shot but Ukraine soon restored their aggregate advantage in similar fashion through Mykola Bilotserkivets. The visitors' Andriy Simka was dismissed early in the second half for two yellow cards but Bilotserkivets immediately struck for the four men. With Ukraine back to five players, Zoltan Droth headed Hungary back into the game but Yevgen Valyenko scored and Denys Ovsiannikov's long-range effort into an empty net left the home side needing four goals. Roared on by a vociferous home crowd, they nearly got it as with less than three minutes left Gabor Kun's 20-metre drive found the target, Akos Harnisch's close-range tap-in and Droth's top-corner rocket set up a thrilling last 40 seconds but two-time runners-up Ukraine hung on to win on away goals," reads the statement.

Eight teams had previously booked their places in the finals in Antwerp from January 28 to February 8: hosts Belgium, holders Spain and their fellow March main round group winners Italy, Russia, Slovenia, Portugal, Azerbaijan and the Czech Republic. The finals draw will be made on October 4.

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