SoccerNews.com

Brazil, Italy and Russia have joined defending champions Spain in the semi finals of the 2008 Futsal World Cup.

After winning their first two group games in the second round, Brazil also beat last-placed Ukraine in today’s game, allowing them to advance to the semi’s as group winners.

Italy needed a draw with Iran to make it through to the next stage. Both sides had the same amount of points ahead of the game but the Italians had a slightly better goal record.

It was a crazy match at the Gimnasio Nilson Nelson of Brasilia, where Iran did everything in their power to win the game but Italy held their opponents to a 5-5 result, enough to survive this group phase.

From the other group, Spain had already made it through to the next round, and beat Paraguay 4-1 in their final group game.

The Russians did what was needed to advance, holding Argentina to a 2-2 draw in Rio de Janeiro.

All remaining games will be played in Rio, where Russia meet again with hosts Brazil on Thursday for the first semi final. The two sides met before in the first round of this tournament, with Brazil winning 7-0. Later on Thursday, Spain face Italy in the other semi final.

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