Source www.susa.org/wufc2008/

The 11th World University Futsal Championship was officially declared open tonight by Dr. Rado Bohinc and Vice-Mayor, Jani Bacic. 
The opening ceremony took place in Adria Ankaran holiday resort, where all the teams are staying.  Each team was presented to the audience before the opening speeches commenced. 

There was a fantastic atmosphere as all the competitors, officials and volunteers came together for the first time.  All the teams were proudly carrying their national flags and there was a real sense of national pride as each country paraded across the forecourt and lined up facing the stage.  The FISU anthem was played before the evening's entertainment, in the form of a local dance school, who were hip-hop champions of europe.

After the entertainment and closing speeches, teams proceeded to line up for photos on the stage to remember this great occasion.

The formalities are now over and tomorrow sees the big kick off as Brazil take on Czech Republic in the game of the day, while hosts Slovenia open their campaign against Great Britain at 21:00 in the Bonifika Sports Hall.  Ukraine, the final team to arrive, take on Portugal in another mouth watering contest at 16:30. 

Almost ready for the off  - August 23 News

As all the final few teams are arriving in Slovenia, the final touches for the 11th World University Futsal Championship are being put in place for the big kick off.  The teams already here convened tonight for the General Technical Meeting chaired by FISU delegate John Warnock with FISU colleagues Pedro Dias and Carlos Magalhaes also present.  Patrik Peroša (Organising Committee), Piotr Kus (Head of Discipline) and Petr Fousek (FIFA) made up the table and the teams were given all the information needed. 

The World Championship kicks off on Monday and the teams are taking the opportunity of their early arrival to get some training and finalise some tactics.  Favourites Brazil, who were at a Portuguese training camp for two weeks prior to making the comparitively short trip across Europe, have been wasting no time in maximising their chances.  Brazilian officials are in confident mood, but they know that their opening game against the Czech Republic is one of utmost importance.  The typically flamboyant samba boys will be out to do a job and get their championship off to a flying start.

South American counterparts, Uruguay, who are competing in the World University Futsal Championship for the first time, are unsure what to expect.  Despite Futsal coming from Uruguay, it is Europe that is leading the way (Spain are World and European champions and have the Intercontinental Club champions - Interviu Fadesa).  Uruguay will face futsal newbies France and Turkey, and Serbia, who have arguably the best talent in European Futsal among their ranks.

The conditions of the tournament are excellent and the atmosphere is growing every day here in Ankaran.  It promises to be a very competitive yet good spirited World Championship, and with Russia not entering, there will be a new World University Champion come the end of August.  Who will it be?  Most experts say Brazil, but the likes of Serbia, Portugal and Ukraine will be there or thereabouts.  The overall level of competition is superb and there will be no easy matches for the supposed superpowers of futsal.  Even Great Britain could sneak their way into the quarter finals!