Maccabi GB Futsal suffered a 21-0 defeat at the hands of reigning champions Baku.
Playing in their ourth game of the season, Jonathan Kurrant's men took on a Baku team who are the only professional outfit in England, and have made history by being the only English side to make it through the proper round of the UEFA Futsal Cup. They have just progressed into the Elite round where one of the teams they will be facing will be FC Barcelona.
With this in mind, it was always going to be a tough test for the Community’s top Futsal side, especially having only been promoted to the top Division this season. But no-one could argue what an incredible experience the match was and it shows the journey Maccabi GB have been on to be playing against one of the top 16 sides in Europe. The fixture was also played at the Copperbox Arena - a stadium that was used for the London 2012 Olympics Games for Handball.
The floodgates opened early on and there was no let up at the half-time break, with Baku easing into a 14-0 lead. Some eye-catching movement and finesse finishing was so high and the obvious fitness level difference meant this was no disgrace to the newly-promoted, Jewish side.
MGB were much better defensively in the second half, and did not look in so much awe. Chances were created, most notably when Gideon Barnett was put through on goal, but Baku's Brazilian international keeper was equal to his strike.
Baku's power-plays and possession futsal saw them add another seven goal in the second half.
A MGBF spokesman said: "This was an unbelievable experience for MGB and shows the level at which the boys are competing week in, week out."
This Sunday sees Maccabi GB face London United at the Capital City Academy in Willesden, 5pm KO.
SQUAD:
1 Jordan Davidson
3 Alex Olcot
4 Taylor Gershon
5 Adam Bernstein
7 Josh Phillips
8 Jon Kurrant
9 Jamie Bernstein
10 Jonah Gordon-Boyd
11 Gideon Barnett
14 Aviel Schwarz
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