Differdange Begin UEFA Futsal Champions League Main Round With Victory

On Tuesday 27 October 2026, Luxembourg champions FC Differdange 03 began their UEFA Futsal Champions League Main Round campaign with a 4-2 victory over Greek side Doukas at the Centre Sportif John Scheuren in Oberkorn, in their opening Group 6 match.

Around 300 spectators saw Jorge Fernandes' side take the lead in the second minute when Rúben Reis opened the scoring following a pass from Robinho. Differdange controlled the first half and created several further opportunities to extend their advantage, but had to wait until three minutes before half-time to double their lead, when Rúben Reis converted a penalty from the six-metre mark.

"I think we started the game well in the first half. We were able to control the game more. In the second half, it was normal for them to push forward because they were losing 2-0 and needed to attack more. We could have scored a third or a fourth goal, but we didn't. At this level, if you don't take your chances, you will suffer," Differdange player Robinho told Chronicle.lu.

Both teams started the second half actively, with several chances arising in front of the hosts' goal, but Differdange's defenders and goalkeeper Costinha managed to keep Doukas at bay. At the other end, Beto failed to convert a three-on-one opportunity, sending his effort wide of the Greek side's goal.

Differdange's missed opportunities and the confident performance of the visiting goalkeeper gave Doukas renewed momentum. The Greek side capitalised in the 13th minute of the second half when Ioannis Zompolas scored to reduce the deficit to 2-1.

The visitors struck again just 45 seconds later. A Differdange defender initially prevented a goal by blocking a shot with his head while the goal was unguarded. However, following a corner, Rayan Araujo Barreira De Souza met a low cross in front of goal and converted to level the score at 2-2.

"They came back and scored twice, but we didn't let our heads drop. We kept working and continued doing what we had practised during the week. In the end, we had the joy of winning this game at home with our supporters. It was amazing, amazing," added Robinho.

Differdange continued to put pressure on the Greek team's goal, with Beto coming close to restoring the lead when his long-range effort struck the post.

With four and a half minutes remaining, the Doukas coach called another timeout. In the sixteenth minute of the second half, Unjanque had an opportunity to score from close range following a run by Robinho, but the visitors' defence intervened.

After the hosts lost possession, Doukas player Rayan Araujo Barreira De Souza had a chance to put the visitors ahead, but Costinha saved his shot towards the top corner.

Differdange eventually regained the lead in the eighteenth minute of the second half. Beto's shot was deflected into the path of Teka, who made no mistake from close range to make it 3-2.

With two minutes remaining, Doukas replaced their goalkeeper with an additional outfield player and looked to create an equaliser through passes into the area in front of goal.

With one minute left, Differdange coach Jorge Fernandes called a timeout to interrupt the visitors' momentum and give his players a brief rest. Shortly afterwards, Differdange captain Rafael Bocum was played through one-on-one with the goalkeeper, but his effort was saved.

With six seconds remaining, Doukas had a kick-in near the hosts' goal but failed to make use of the opportunity. Instead, Rafael Bocum scored from inside his own half into the unguarded net to seal a 4-2 victory for Differdange.

"The Champions League is never easy. Every game is difficult, and the competition is always challenging. There are no easy teams. It's impossible. Congratulations to Doukas for a very good game, and congratulations to my team as well," Differdange captain Rafael Bocum told Chronicle.lu.

Following the victory, Differdange moved to the top of Group 6 alongside Lithuania's Kauno Žalgiris, who defeated Armenian side Unisport 2-0 in their opening match.

The Luxembourg champions will face Unisport in their second group match on Wednesday 28 October 2026, with kick-off scheduled for 19:00 at the Centre Sportif John Scheuren in Oberkorn.