Italy have been given confidence ahead of next month's UEFA European Futsal Championship with two home friendly wins against Romania while hosts Hungary beat Croatia 1-0 prior to a 2-2 draw.

Victories
The Azzurri were unbeaten in eight friendlies since sealing their place in Hungary and that run was extended against a side that only just missed out on the finals themselves. On Tuesday in Montesilvano, Italy won 2-0 with goals from Marcio Forte and Edgar Bertoni. The following day in Chieti, it was 4-2 with two goals from Luca Ippoliti and one each by Gabriel Lima and Baptistella.

Ippoliti delighted
Ippoliti's goals were his first for Italy since 2003, the year he helped them win the European title. He said: "I think Italy played well and in the end deserved to win these two matches against Romania. I want to congratulate all the lads, especially the young players. I'm happy for this national team and this renewed squad. We are a new and humble group, we will continue to work as hard as we are working now. We can make sacrifices, I think we will realise many important goals."

Coach pleased
Coach Roberto Menichelli, whose team begin their campaign in Group B against Belgium on 19 January and meet Ukraine four days later, added: "We did well enough, it's not easy to win both games in double friendlies. This makes me optimistic, even if the teams we have faced – with the exception of Belarus – will not be at the European Championship. Victories give you enthusiasm and confidence. We'll go to this EURO in relaxed mood. We have started a process of technical renewal, so on the one hand we must continue on this path and on the other try to do well."

Hungary promise
Hungary suffered two heavy defeats in Brazil last month but were back on track this week. A seventh-minute Péter Sivák goal gave them a 1-0 win in the first game against Croatia in Gyongyos on Tuesday and the following evening in Gyor, Norbert Lovas equalised in the second half to give Hungary a 2-2 draw after János Madarász had put them ahead in the match. The hosts open the finals against Azerbaijan on 19 January with the Czech Republic also in Group A.