Sporting CP Took the Title but Étoile Lavalloise Won the Spotlight

From their first-half performance against Palma to another strong display against Cartagena, Laval emerged as one of the stories of the 2026 Finals.

The 2026 UEFA Futsal Champions League Final Four, held at the Pesaro Futsal Arena in Italy on 8–10 May, saw Sporting CP (POR) defeat three-time champions Illes Balears Palma (ESP) 2–0 in the final. Sporting’s victory, their third UEFA Futsal Champions League title, ended Palma’s three-year reign as European champions.

(Main picture: 2026 UEFA Futsal Champions League Final Four champions, Sporting CP – source of the picture: Sporting CP Instagram page: @sportingcp)

In the semi-finals on 8 May, Sporting beat Cartagena Costa Cálida (ESP) 6–5 on penalties after a 3–3 draw after extra time, while Palma recovered from a heavy first-half deficit to beat Étoile Lavalloise (FRA) 5–4 on penalties after a 6–6 draw. In the third-place play-off on 10 May, Cartagena again won on penalties, beating Étoile Lavalloise 5–4 after another 3–3 draw.

The final standings were:

1. Sporting CP
2. Illes Balears Palma
3. Cartagena Costa Cálida
4. Étoile Lavalloise

Palma were aiming for a fourth consecutive European title, while Sporting were seeking revenge after losing the 2025 final. The tournament again highlighted the strength of Spanish and Portuguese futsal, but Étoile Lavalloise’s performances against Palma and Cartagena also drew attention to the continued development of French futsal. Étoile Lavalloise became the second French club after ACCS Asnières in 2022 to reach the UEFA Futsal Champions League Final Four.

Semi-finals (8 May 2026)

• Sporting CP 3–3 Cartagena Costa Cálida (Sporting won 6–5 on penalties)

Cartagena led 2–0 at half-time through goals from Waltinho and Francisco Cortés. Sporting responded in the second half through Zicky Té and Felipe Valério before Tomás Paçó gave the Portuguese side the lead in extra time. Cartagena equalised through Gon Castejón to force penalties.

Both teams converted their opening penalties before Sporting goalkeeper Bernardo Paçó saved from Muhammad Osamanmusa. Felipe Valério then converted the decisive penalty to send Sporting into the final.

Sporting coach Nuno Dias praised his side’s intensity and defensive work after the match, while Cartagena coach Duda expressed disappointment at the penalty defeat but praised his players’ effort.

• Illes Balears Palma 6–6 Étoile Lavalloise (Palma won 5–4 on penalties)

Étoile Lavalloise produced one of the performances of the tournament during the first half, opening a large lead against the defending champions. Ouassini Guirio scored four times, while Nelson Lutin and Souheil Mouhoudine also found the net as Laval led 6–1 before Palma mounted their comeback.

Palma improved significantly after the break, with Fabinho playing a major role in the recovery as the Spanish side forced extra time and later won the penalty shoot-out through Manuel Piqueras’ decisive kick.

Étoile Lavalloise – source of the picture: Étoile Lavalloise Instagram page: @etoilelavalloisefutsal

After the match, Étoile coach Manuel Moya said his side had competed well but were punished by Palma’s experience and quality. Palma captain Lucão praised his team’s mentality and refusal to give up.

The semi-finals produced 24 goals across the two matches and underlined the attacking quality of all four teams.

Third-Place Play-off (10 May 2026)

• Cartagena Costa Cálida 3–3 Étoile Lavalloise (Cartagena won 5–4 on penalties)

Cartagena again started strongly, taking a two-goal lead through Muhammad Osamanmusa and Pablo Ramírez. Étoile responded through Abdessamad Mohammed and Souheil Mouhoudine to level the match before Bilal Bakkali gave the French side the lead in extra time.

Gon Castejón equalised for Cartagena to send the match to penalties, where Cartagena secured third place after Nelson Lutin missed Étoile’s final penalty.

Despite the defeat, Étoile again showed their ability to compete with experienced European opposition.

Final (10 May 2026)

• Sporting CP 2–0 Illes Balears Palma

Sporting took the lead early through Diogo Santos after an assist from goalkeeper Bernardo Paçó. The Portuguese side later had to defend with one player fewer after Diogo Santos received a red card before half-time.

Palma pushed for an equaliser in the second half and later used a flying goalkeeper system, but Sporting extended their lead after pressure from Ivan Chishkala forced an own goal by Alisson Santos.

Illes Balears Palma – Source of the picture: Palma Futsal Instagram page: @palmafutsaloficial

Sporting held on to secure their third UEFA Futsal Champions League title. UEFA noted that Sporting became the first non-Spanish club to win the competition three times, matching Palma’s total.

Player of the Match Zicky Té and Sporting coach Nuno Dias received praise after the final, with Dias highlighting his team’s defensive organisation and discipline.

The result also avenged Sporting’s defeat to Palma in the previous year’s final.

Étoile Lavalloise and the Rise of French Futsal

Étoile Lavalloise’s run to the Final Four reflected the wider development of French futsal in recent years.

Under coach Manuel Moya, Laval won the French D1 title before progressing through the UEFA Futsal Champions League and defeating FC Semey in the quarter-finals to qualify for the Final Four in Pesaro.

Key players included Ouassini Guirio, Souheil Mouhoudine, Nelson Lutin and Abdessamad Mohammed, with the squad combining French and Moroccan internationals. Before the semi-final, Palma coach Antonio Vadillo highlighted Laval’s intensity and technical quality.

France has increased its investment in futsal through the Fédération Française de Football (FFF), with development focused on youth pathways, elite training centres and national competitions. The country now has around 50,000 registered futsal players and a nationally structured league pyramid led by the 12-team Division 1.

The women’s game has also expanded, with the launch of the senior women’s national team in 2023 and plans for a national women’s championship from 2026.

Laval has become one of the strongest examples of that progress. The club operates youth teams, a women’s section and sports-study programmes while competing at the highest domestic and European levels.

Although Sporting lifted the trophy in Pesaro, Étoile Lavalloise’s performances against Palma and Cartagena highlighted the progress French clubs have made in recent years.

As Nelson Lutin said after the semi-final: “We’re proud of our run… another valuable experience for French futsal.”

Organ Donation

Futsal Focus is a supporter of Dáithí Mac Gabhann and his family’s campaign to raise awareness of Organ Donation. We encourage our readers to learn more about Organ Donation: https://www.organdonation.nhs.uk/

Futsal Focus

You can read more articles about global futsal by going to the top navigation bar or by clicking here

If you like this article and would like to keep updated on Futsal news, developments, etc then you can now follow Futsal Focus via Google News by following our page which will send you an alert as soon as we publish an article so please click here and follow us on Google.

You can also keep updated on Futsal news, developments, etc then please submit your email below in the Subscribe to Futsal Focus option.

Follow Futsal Focus by clicking on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram or on the social media buttons on the website