BUENOS AIRES, Oct. 18 -- Brazil futsal coach Daniel Junior believes his team's gold medal at the summer Youth Olympics in Buenos Aires will catapult the game to a new level in Brazil.
Brazil dominated the competition here, winning each of their four group matches by an average margin of more than five goals.
They then beat traditional rivals Argentina 3-2 in he semifinals before routing Russia 4-1 in the final on Wednesday.
"It's a victory for Brazilian futsal and I think that this positive result can make things better for us all," Daniel Junior said. "The Brazilian Olympic Committee helped us a lot by giving us a structure. With a joint effort from players and coaches, we can be even better.
Brazil's six-time women's world player of the year, Marta, hailed the performance of her compatriots after traveling to Buenos Aires to watch the final.
"I started my career in futsal," the Orlando Pride player said. "Even now, that background is very important to me and helps me If I have to think quickly or avoid a tackle."
She added: "It's difficult for me to watch as a spectator because there's nothing I can do for the team. But I'm happy to have come to cheer the guys on. I'm hoping futsal can grow even more and maybe even participate at the Olympic Games.