Only one coach has been to every UEFA European Futsal Championship and Gennadiy Lysenchuk, who led Ukraine to the final in 2001 and 2003, is confident they can improve on their group-stage exit in Portugal two years ago. Looking forward to their Group B fixtures against Belgium and 2003 final opponents Italy from 21 January, Lysenchuk told uefa.com he is aiming at the last four at least.

− What do you think of your group?
− All 12 teams are very strong. As for this group, there is nothing more to say about Italy; they have been European champions. Belgium were one of the first nations in Europe who started to play futsal, and they're also strong. We have got chances, but it won't be easy. The president of the Football Federation of Ukraine, Grigoriy Surkis, said we have to reach the semi-finals, and to do so we have to be the first or second team in the group and then fight. In 2001 and 2003 we finished second − this year we want to win it. We know it will not be easy, but we will do our best.

− Ukraine did not do so well in Portugal two years ago. Do you think that now you have a more experienced team who are capable of getting to the semi-finals and the final?
− Two years ago we played the worst futsal in our history. We want to play the way we did in 2001 and 2003. Our players are very strong, and I think everyone thinks we'll play better than two years ago.

− How do you think you have improved? In what way is the team stronger than two years ago?
− We have new, younger players. They want to prove they are better than the team that played in 2001 and 2003. There is great competition to get into the team.