by Stephen Azzopardi and Kevin Azzopardi (MFA Head of Communications Office)

Luxol St Andrews made history becoming the first Maltese futsal team to reach the main round of the UEFA Futsal Cup.
Luxol broke every record in having three wins out of three games, after beating hosts FC Diamant Linz (7-1), Macedonian champions KMF Shkupi (9-2) Israeli champions Maccabi Tel Aviv (4-3).
Like they did in the preceeding games, Luxol had a comfortable advantage before the end of the first half. They opened 3-0 in the first nine minutes of play with goals from Croatian defender Kristijan Grbesa, Serbian Zvezdan Vukovic and Mark Zammit. Adam Cohen pulled one for Maccabi to make the half time score 3-1.
Maccabi scored again through Ivan Diedunov but Croatian forward Nikola Perkovic put Luxol 4-2 ahead on 28 minutes.
Barely a minute later, Cohen reopened the issue for Maccabi Tel Aviv but Luxol held on to secure their victory and the qualification to the main round of the UEFA Futsal Cup.
Luxol will be in Group 8 against Araz Naxçivan from Azerbaijan, Romanians and hosts FC Deva and Mostar from Bosnia and Herzegovina.
The Maltese champions were meant to be in Group 5 but swapped with Group F winners Leo of Armenia following a decision of the UEFA Emergency Committee as clubs from Armenia and Azerbaijan cannot meet.
Futsal Minerva, Liburn, Regensburg, Mostar, Leo, Bielsko-Biała and ‘t Knooppunt also won their UEFA Futsal Cup preliminary round groups to complete the main round line-up.
The main round tournaments will take place between October 10 and 15.

Photo taken by Joe Borg and is found on uefa.com