Mellado, Solano, Boyis and Adolfo scored the goals for Spain. The national team finishes third in the UEFA Futsal EURO22 in Ortiz’s last appearance after 215 games

Even without the reward of playing the final, it was important to end the competition in the best possible way. And the Spanish Futsal Team did it by facing the match for third and fourth place with motivation, pride and ambition. With the desire to win. Raúl Gómez, at the very start of the match, almost opened the score. A couple of plays later, the player from Albacete created danger again. Spain was controlling the match with quick attacking moves and strong pressing when without the ball. Ukraine had a well-defined strategy: direct passes to their pivot and quick counterattacks.

From some of those attacks to the Spanish goal box came the best chances for the Ukrainians. However, when Jesús Herrero was tested, he responded it with great ability, determination and success.
 
The same success that Mellado had with an excellent volley coming from Ortiz in the middle of the first period. The left leg of the Murcia player delivered a powerful shot against which Tsypun could do nothing. The goal woke up Oleksandr Kosenko's players and his team started to play with all 5 players in each attack.

Ukraine did not hesitate in playing 5 on 4

Spain defended well those attacks but Cherniavskyi equalized the match scoring after a good steal. However, on the very next possession, the Spaniards took back the lead thanks to Solano. Chino put a ball in the box and the pivot of Córdoba, without stopping the ball, connected a powerful shot at medium height that put the team ahead again: 2-1.

The Ukrainian strategy did not change: the team stuck with the five-on-four tactic, attack after attack. Fede Vidal’s squad gave them some scares as there was an unguarded goal. Adolfo scored the fourth goal without opposition after stealing the ball in the midfield. And, just few seconds earlier, Boyis, with a blast, had scored the third goal. From the authorities’ box and together with Aleksander Ceferin, Luis Rubiales celebrated the good performance of Spain. The RFEF and UEFA presidents were next to one another, and also surrounded by other personalities from the world of football and futsal.

At the end, the final score was: 4-1. The Spanish Futsal Team puts an end to the UEFA Futsal Euro22 with a bronze medal. Third position for a team that says goodbye to the one who has been its captain during these last years. Carlos Ortiz bids farewell to the Spanish team after 15 years defending the shield, the colours and the national team’s flag. And he does so having achieved records that will be difficult to reach for any other future player. After 215 games, there is nothing else to add. It has been a pleasure. Truly: Thank you, captain!