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UEFA Futsal Cup: what you need to know

The UEFA Futsal Cup kicks off today in Guadalajara, Spain we give you the key pointers as hosts Inter FS, Benfica, Pescara and Ugra Yugorsk compete for the European club title.

The captains: Zviad Kupatadze (Ugra), Luis Amado (Inter), Douglas Nicolodi (Pescara) and Gonçalo (Benfica)
The captains: Zviad Kupatadze (Ugra), Luis Amado (Inter), Douglas Nicolodi (Pescara) and Gonçalo (Benfica) ©Sportsfile

1: How does the tournament work?

After three qualifying rounds, four clubs reached the finals: Benfica, Inter FS of Spain, Pescara and Russia's Ugra Yugorsk. Inter were picked as hosts for the knockout event, staged in Guadalajara near Madrid, and face Pescara in today's semi-finals after Ugra play Benfica. The third-place play-off and final are on Sunday.

2: Who are the clubs?

Inter have won a record three titles, in 2004, 2006 and 2009, and are aiming to reach a sixth final, which would equal FC Dynamo. Benfica beat Inter in the 2010 final to avenge a 2004 defeat at the same stage, while Ugra and Pescara are both in Europe for the first time, but have squads full of top-level experience. The leagues of Spain, Russia, Italy and Portugal are generally rated as Europe's best, like their national teams.

3: Which players are set to star in Guadalajara?

All eyes are on Inter winger Ricardinho, who underlined his status as Europe's star futsal player at UEFA Futsal EURO 2016, and previously helped Benfica to victory in 2010. Ugra boast tournament top scorer Eder Lima as well as fellow Russia talents Robinho and Dmitri Lyskov; Benfica boast Italian international Alessandro Patias, and Pescara's key men include Rogerio Da Silva.

4: What is futsal?

A five-a-side game played between squads of 14 with rolling substitutions, the matches last 20 minutes each way with a stopping clock. With a small pitch and high tempo, control, pace and skills are all-important, hence the likes of Hulk, Neymar and Alex Teixeira crediting futsal for their technical ability. Watch our full guide to futsal for beginners.

5: Can I see some of these skills?

How about this goal by Ricardinho for Portugal earlier this year ...

Watch Ricardinho’s crazy futsal goal

6: How can I watch the tournament?

On Eurosport across Europe and beyond thanks to UEFA's broadcast partners. There will also be highlights of every match on UEFA.com from midnight CET that evening.

How Kairat won the 2015 title

7: How else can I follow the tournament?

UEFA.com will have live updates in our MatchCentre plus all the statistics, photos, videos, reports and features. Join the conversation with @UEFAFutsal on Twitter and Facebookusing #FutsalCup.

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