UEFA Futsal Cup holders MFK Viz-Sinara Ekaterinburg will defend their title in the final four in April after a 4-3 win against FC Shakhtar Donetsk 4-3 to top Elite round Group A on home ground in Russia.

Holders through
Once Luparense Cálcio A5 had beaten Slov-Mativ Fofo Bratislava 4-2 in the earlier game, Shakhtar knew they had to win by two goals to prevent Ekaterinburg joining compatriots MFK Dinamo Moskva in the finals. However Viz-Sinara were three up at the break with two Dmitri Prudnikov strikes sandwiching a Sergey Abramov effort. Romário goals on 26 and 30 minutes reduced arrears but Konstantin Timoshchenkov ensured an Ekaterinburg win despite Ramis Mansurov's consolation.

Decisive weekend
Ekaterinburg and Dinamo will discover their fellow finalists over the weekend, with last season's fourth-placed side Kairat Almaty needing a point on Saturday against Group B hosts Action 21 Charleroi to pip the 2005 winners in Belgium. The following day two-time champions Interviú Madrid must defeat SL Benfica in Group D to prevent the Portuguese side, who they beat in the 2004 final and 2006 second qualifying round, topping the pool in their stead.

Double figures
In Friday's games in that group Interviú beat Israel's Hapoel Ironi Rishon Lezion 10-1 after Jordi Torras's third-minute opener was added to by two quickfire Gabriel goals. Yaniv David pulled one back only for Torras and Marquinho to give the Spanish side a 5-1 half-time lead. Marquinho struck again just past the interval, quickly followed by his fellow Brazilian FIFA Futsal World Cup-winner Betão. Marquinho completed his hat-trick and Torras did likewise before Borja took Interviú to double figures.

Benfica top
Benfica needed a win against Serbian side KMF Ekonomac Kragujevac better than 7-1 to end go into Sunday's decider ahead of Interviú; in the end the scoreline was 8-1. Kosta Markovi? put Ekonomac ahead on eight minutes but Arnaldo equalised and Pedrinho put Benfica ahead. Paulo César and Arnaldo made it 4-1 at half-time and after the break Pedro Costa scored twice and further goals by Ricardinho and Pedrinho ensured Benfica edged to the top.