The European crown remains in Russia, but flies from Moscow to St. Petersburg as SC Braga clinches third after upsetting Sable Dancers
The 2-0 win for the 2013 Russian League Champions BSC Kristall over the Italian side Milano BS was tight from start to finish thought the Russian side came away with a shutout. The win keeps the Euro Winners Cup in Russia as BSC Lokomotiv won the cup last year but they were unable to repeat as champions this year. Milano put up a great fight in the final and limited the fearful Kristall offense to only a handful of shots and only the two goals, which ended up being the deciders.
The first period of the championship match was a sight to see as both teams were equipped with energy and the star-power to take home the title. The Russian club struck first and took a one goal lead into the second period. The middle frame was back and forth and Kristall asserted themselves early again by scoring and keeping the Italian side on their heels. Milano was not ready to concede anything and were continually pushing but were not able to get through.
The Russian side had scored two goals through two periods and allowed none, giving them a 2-0 advantage going into the final period. Milano went on the attack early in the final frame as they knew they needed to score and they knew how quickly beach soccer matches can change, but none of their efforts was successful.
Goals: 1-0: Jorginho, min. 5 (1); 2-0: Datinha, min. 10 (2).
Braga bounces back from semis loss to earn 3rd
The 4-1 win for the Portuguese club, SC Braga, over the Swiss side, Sable Dancers was a great match with flashes of offensive and defensive brilliance but Braga was able to ride a big first period all the way to the 3rd place podium in a field of 25. The Portugal club scored three quick goals and then exchanged one goal with the Swiss squad, leaving them up and on cruise control as the final whistle sounded. The great run by the Sable Dancers yielded them a respectable 4th place finish and their efforts were championship caliber though they faced a highly motivated Braga squad on the final day.
In the blink of an eye, Sable Dancers found themselves down three goals in the very fast opening frame but were able to get on the scoreboard in the final minute and were down 3-1 against Braga, going into the first break. The shots in the second period were just as rapid and the Portuguese side was able to get the goal back that they conceded at the end of the first and they went into the final period up 4-1. The final frame began with a more physical style of play from both sides in lieu of the finesse that was used earlier.
Heading into the final minutes neither side was able to score, with Braga looking to bust things open and the Swiss club looking to chip away at the lead and the game with end with a score of 4-1, Braga.
Goals: 0-1: Miguel, min. 11 (1); 0-2: Jonas, min. 3 (1); 0-3: Miguel, min. 2 (1); 1-3: Zaveroni, min. 0 (1); 1-4: Torres, min. 5 (2).
Artur Music pulls away for fifth place
The 5-1 win for Artur Music of Ukraine over Goldwin Pluss Bodon FC from Hungary was thorough and very well-rounded. The Ukrainian club attacked from all sides of the field and did not give the Hungarian squad and breathing room for their offense. In its entirety the game was close but an excellent third period from Artur Music allowed them to seal the victory and earn 5th place in the Euro Winners Cup 2014 – Catania. Hungary´s best club team had an amazing tournament and had some things gone the other way, they could have been on the opposite end of this defeat but placing 6th in such a prestigious tournament is something to hang their hats on.
Artur Music built a quick lead in the match opening minutes and held off a first period rally from Goldwin, and the frame ended with a score of 2-1, advantage Artur Music. The middle frame saw less scoring but not from lack of trying as both teams exchanged shots on goal but could not convert early on and the period ended how the first period did, with the Ukrainian team up 2-1. The final frame had an extra element of excitement with the game being so close and the winner would be crowned the 5th best club in Europe. Artur Music struck again to extend their lead to three goals as the period wound down, which is how the match would end.
Goals: 1-0: Zborovskyi, min. 11 (1); 2-0: A. Borsuk, min. 11 (1); 2-1: Vernyik, min. 9 (1); 3-1: Rysenko, min. 6 (3); 4-1: A. Borsuk, min. 3 (3); 5-1: Korniichuk, min. 0 (3).
Lokomotiv 7th best at Euro Winners Cup after win
The 7-2 win for BSC Lokomotiv from Russia over Catania BS from Italy, was a close match until the final period when Lokomotiv took over and made sure they did not give up their big lead. The Italian side played inspired for the two opening periods and even held the lead in the second frame but the Russian squad could not be stopped. The win gives Lokomotiv 7th place and their placing is not what they expected as the Euro Winners Cup 2013 champions but they can be happy with their performance this year. The loss leaves the host as the 8th best out of 25 teams, which is something to be envied by the other club teams in this year’s tournament.
The opening minutes of the period were very tense with both sides using the time to understand their opponent and then when sufficient scouting was completed, both teams attacked and subsequently scored and the frame ended tied at 1. The middle frame picked up where the first one left off, with more goals and an offense first mentality with both teams scoring though the Russian club was able to add three goals and build a two goal lead going into the final period. Closing the match strong was all that was on the Russian side’s mind and in the opening minutes of the last period they were still smothering the Catania offense and adding to their lead.
Goals: 1-0: Makarov, min. 5 (1); 1-1: Rodrigo, min. 5 (1); 1-2: Rodrigo, min. 11 (2); 2-2: Gorchinskiy, min. 9 (2); 3-2: Belchior, min. 9 (2); 4-2: Belchior, min. 4 (2); 5-2: Madjer, min. 4 (3); 6-2: Leonov, min. 1 (3); 7-2: Peremitin, min. 0 (3).
EURO WINNERS CUP 2014
Match Results:
Sunday, 8th of June, 2014
BSC Lokomotiv 7-2 Catania BS
Artur Music 5-1 Goldwin Pluss Bodon FC
Sable Dancers 1-4 SC Braga
BSC Kristall 2-0 Milano BS
Final Standings:
1st: BSC Kristall
2nd: Milano BS
3rd: SC Braga
4th: Sable Dancers
5th: Artur Music
6th: Goldwin Pluss Bodon FC
7th: BSC Lokomotiv
8th: Catania BS
Awards:
Best Goalkeeper: Dona (SC Braga)
Top Goal Scorer: Leo (Milano BS)
MVP: Bruno Xavier (BSC Kristall)
