Futsal is a game that originated in Southern and Latin American countries and has been adopted by many of the major footballing nations in 11-a-side football,apart from England of course, where it has only been recognised and funded within the last 4 years.

Futsal is mainly an indoor sport, played on a wooden or synthetic surface. It has some similarities with your conventional 5-a-side football, here are the major differences between the two types of football.

Futsal has been the breeding ground for many a world class footballer. In many countries, there are full time futsal leagues and their best players are as popular as their 11-a-side stars. Players like the brazilian Falcao are world renowned for their Futsal skill and ability.

Cristiano Ronaldo, Ronaldinho, Deco, Luis Figo, Kaka and Micah Richards have all grown up with Futsal and played it in their youth, at schools and in junior clubs. These players are all technically gifted and are very comfortable with the ball at their feet.


England

Currently in England we have three regional futsal leagues in the North, South and Midlands with teams playing regularly in the hope that they will provide more quality for the England National side. The national team is currently without a head coach after Graham Dell resigned from his position after 4 years at the helm.

In that time his England side only won 1 game, an 8-7 victory against the Greeks at Nechells in Birmingham. Many will criticise Dell for what appears to be a lack of progress in terms of results, but anyone that has followed the teams fortunes over recent years will realise that Dell had made large strides towards making England competitive.

FA National Futsal Finals

Before the introduction of the three regional futsal leagues, English sides only had one thing to play for each and every year. The FA National Futsal Cup is the Futsal equivalent of the FA Cup and is as fiercely contested as it's sister competition. The finals are held every year at the English Institute of Sport, Sheffield, normally around the first or second weekend of July. This year's competition is due to take place on Friday 4th until Sunday 6th July 2008.

Shropshire will have some representation at this year's event with TNS Ladies taking part in the Women's Futsal competition and will be hoping to go one better than last year's loss in the final. We also have a full representation in the junior competition with all 8 age groups entered by a Shropshire side. Also at this year's finals, for the second year, will be Shropshire referee's Jamie James and Kevin Shingler.

Major English Futsal teams

The current English national champions are Ipswich Wolves, a team full of Portugese nationals who play with a fantastic pace and flair to their game, they won the National Final by defeating Vaughans FC 8-6. They are currently top of the Midlands Conference with an unbeaten record so far and look sure fire certainties of making the end of season play-offs. They will also represent England in this year's UEFA Futsal Cup which will take place in November this year.

White Bear FC are a team of Russian nationals who pride themselves on defensive discipline and catching teams on the break. They were the winners of the 2006 FA National Cup and represented England in the 2007 UEFA Futsal Cup and were unfortunately knocked out at the first stage. Those two teams are recognised as No.1 and No.2 in the country at the moment but there are many teams looking to push on and challenge the top 2.

In terms of Futsal in Shropshire, we are well represented by TNS Futsal who are managed by Mick Murphy and include a nice blend of local and midlands based talent, including players with football league experience. Currently TNS Futsal are 3rd in the Midland Conference with a good chance of challenging for a place in the end of season play-offs if they can get their big players playing regularly.

Shropshire Football

Futsal on the Shropshire scene is limited but it is enjoyed by the players that take part. The Shropshire FA Futsal league takes place once a year at the Shrewsbury Sports Village. This year's competition was contested by 6 teams with the winner of the league progressing to a qualifying tournament where the winner would go on to the National Finals in Sheffield.