UEFA Futsal Cup holders MFK Viz-Sinara Ekaterinburg moved three points clear in Elite round Group A on Wednesday as another of last season's finalists Kairat Almaty and former winners Action 21 Charleroi began their mini-tournament in useful fashion.

Luparense comeback
Group A hosts Ekaterinburg beat Luparense Calcio A5 5-3 yesterday but were only second after the first games as FC Shakhtar Dontesk defeated Slov-Matic Fofo Bratislava 7-1. However, Shakhtar fell 3-2 to the Italian champions today despite leading on four minutes through Fumasa. Mauro Canal equalised and although Ramis Mansurov immediately restored the Shakhtar advantage, Arceni Júnior Barboza levelled on the stroke of half-time and Marcelo Barro won the game for Luparense with ten minutes left.

Ekaterinburg move clear
However, Luparense's hopes were then ended as Ekaterinburg overcame Bratislava 3-1. Konstantin Timoshchenkov, Konstantin Agapov and Andrey Shabanov struck before the break though there was a late Martin Rejzek consolation. If Luparense beat Bratislava on Friday, Shakhtar must beat Ekaterinburg by two goals to pip them to the final four. Otherwise, Ekaterinburg will need a point to join Russian rivals MFK Dinamo Moskva in April's showpiece.

Charleroi relief
Charleroi and Kairat finished fourth in the two finals events since the format was introduced for 2006/07 and are competing in Group B in Belgium. Kairat opened by beating Slovenian side KMN Gorica, while hosts Charleroi were given a tough game by Czech champions FK Era-Pack Chrudim before prevailing 5-2. Tomáš Sluka gave Chrudim a half-time lead but Lúcio Rosa levelled after the break. Pedro Medina edged Charleroi in front on 27 minutes and although Roman Mareš swiftly equalised, André Vanderlei immediately made it 3-2 and struck again two minutes from time after Chrudim's Petr Popelka had been shown a red card. Lúcio claimed the fifth with second remaining.

Thursday games
The mini-tournament continues on Thursday with Chrudim against Kairat and Charleroi facing Gorica. Group D also gets underway in Lisbon; two-time winners Interviú Madrid play KMF Ekonomac Kragujevac of Serbia and hosts SL Benfica meet Israel's Hapoel Ironi Rishon Lezion.