As trends continue in Division B: England and Czech Republic win again and seal ticket to Promotion Final
Switzerland wins with defense and offense to take the points
After a stellar showing in Terracina by Portugal and a poor showing in Kiev by Switzerland, now the teams seem to be headed in opposite directions as Switzerland dominates to get three more points. The second period proved to be all important in deciding who came out of this match with the desired three units. A very physical and emotional second period led to a red card being given to Portugal?s ace Belchior, and the Swiss quickly scored twice on the one-man advantage and went on to win 6-2 in an all around dominant performance.
In a heated first period, Portugal struck first despite not controlling the ball as much. Late in the first though, Switzerland was given a penalty kick and made the shot, leveling the score and regaining the momentum that they would not relinquish. The first period ended at 1-1.
The momentum carried over to the second where Switzerland looked poised to score and did, off of another penalty kick early in the period. In the 7th min of the second period, Belchior, the Portuguese captain kicked the Swiss goalie in the head while both were on the ground fighting for the ball. Belchior was given a red card and Portugal was forced to play down a man for three minutes, during which the Portuguese conceded two quick goals.
In the beginning of the third period, it looked as though Portugal was still in shock of losing their captain because of the red card issued earlier in the match. Nearly all attempts by the Portuguese to score after the first period were stopped by the stout defense of Switzerland.
Due to two early wins in Valance, together with the three points collected in Kiev, Switzerland looks poised to continue their run and make it to the Euro Beach Soccer League Superfinal.
Goals: 0-1:Belchior, min. 9 (1); 1-1: Stankovic, min. 4 (1); 2-1: Stankovic, min. 11 (2); 3-1: Borer, min. 6 (2); 4-1: Spacca, min. 5 (2); 5-1: Spacca, min. 1 (2); 6-1: Mo, min. 11 (3); 6-2: Coimbra, min. 1 (3).
Spain keeps pace in group and snags three points
In a very close match, Spain pulled away in the third period to beat host France 5-2. Spain was down twice in the match but found a way to better the French defense and take three more points, hoping to secure a spot in the European Beach Soccer League Superfinal in Torredembarra. That will be in August.
In the first period, a very focused and different looking French team from yesterday came out playing very aggressive and smart and scored first. The Spanish squad maintained their style of play and evened the score midway through the first period. The pace of the game slowed down after a hurried first few minutes. The score at the end of the first was 1-1.
In the second period France made sure they scored on their few chances, while Spain was unable to connect on many solid chances. The second period was littered with good defensive plays by both Spain and France. It was a stark change from France´s opening day match against Switzerland.
The third period began with a possession battle with both teams being very conservative with their passes and shots. A very tight third period saw Spain strike first, through Juanma, after some beautiful passing. Spain eventually found breaks in the French backlines and scored again to seal the win. Antonio, with his privileged left foot, fired the fifth Spanish goal home to deny any French option for a comeback
Because of two wins in their first two Euro Beach Soccer League matches of the season, Spain controls their own future in regards to the Superfinal and they are in a very good position. This win also makes for an exciting start of day three, featuring Switzerland vs Spain. France will look to rebound and get their first points against Portugal, in their last chance to skip the Promotion Final.
Goals: 0-1: Pagis, min. 8 (1); 1-1: Llorenç, min. 5 (1); 1-2: Basquaise, min. 8 (2); 2-2: Llorenç, min. 5 (2); 3-2: Amarelle, min. 4 (2); 4-2: Juanma, min. 4 (3); 5-2: Antonio, min. 1 (3);
DIVISION B
The Czech Republic dominates with size and power to secure Promotion Final
With the Czechs´ win on the opening day in Valence, and the three points collected today against Andorra, they clinched a berth into the Promotion final. The Czech Republic did extremely well in defeating Andorra 11-5, thus securing, at least one of the best two positions in the Division B pool of this Euro Beach Soccer League Valence.
In the first period both teams came out very energized taking chances on goal and playing with a very high level of energy. In this opening leg, the Czech Republic showed their defensive prowess, not allowing very many scoring opportunities for Andorra. But when yhe Pyrenees side was able to get behind the Czech defense they took advantage as best they could, scoring once in the period.
The bigger and more physical play of the Czech Republic began to wear down Andorra. The tallest player on the field, Czech forward Bocek, netted two goals in the first period and two more in the second with headers and overpowering moves.
To keep things interesting, Andorra changed keepers after each period and with things in hand to begin the third period, the Czechs made a change at goal as well. The third period showed the offensive firepower and potential scoring ability that Andorra possesses but it was too big a deficit to overcome.
The three points for the Czech Republic was a great take away from a hard fought match against an undersized, but talented squad in Andorra, and mean their ticket to the fight for Promotion next August in Torredembarra.
Goals: 1-0: Bocek, min. 10 (1); 2-0: Bocek, min. 7 (1); 2-1: Rubio, min.2 (1); 3-1: Chalupa, min. 1 (1); 4-1: Stejskal, min. 1 (1); 4-2: Lima, min. 10 (2); 5-2: Bocek, min. 10 (2); 6-2: Chalupa, min. 7 (2); 8-2: Kubice, min. 7 (2); 7-3: Blázquez, min. 6 (2); 8-3: Bocek, min. 1 (2); 9-3: Chalupa, min. 11 (3); 9-4: Ludo, min. 8 (3); 10-4: Chalupa, min. 6 (3); 10-5: Ludo, min. 6 (3); 11-5: Kovarik, min. 1 (3).
England gain Promotion Final, too, after upsetting Moldova
Great goalkeeping for both countries left the score very close and end result in doubt for most of the match. England secured three very important points in Division B to secure chances of gaining a spot in the Promotion final. With spectacular sound and very sound defense, England was able to squeeze out truly valuable a win.
The first period saw a see-saw battle of possession where both teams maintained possession for relatively long periods of time without being able to capitalize. There were very few penalties, keeping the ball and action continuous. The period ended with a score of 0-0.
The second period began with less of a possession battle seeing a few more scoring opportunities, with England getting on the scoreboard first. Play became more and more physical in the second, creating chances for both teams to get better looks at goal. Many near misses by England and Moldova in the second period alone proved to be a deciding factor in the outcome of the match.
Despite excellent goalkeeping from Gareth True of England, the third period saw Samuel Webb come in to replace him. It proved not to matter. In the third period England looked to push the ball more and they created many good shots on goal for themselves, but they were thwarted on all but one attempt in the third. It ended up being enough. A late goal by Moldova made for some late drama, but it was not enough.
With both sides needing three points to help or secure their spot in the Promotion final England came out and took advantage of their scoring chances to win 2-1 over Moldova, thus gaining the ticket to Torredembarra.
Goals: 1-0: Clarke, min. 10 (1); 2-0: Corbett, min. 4 (3); 2-1: Evans (og), min. 1 (3)
EURO BEACH SOCCER LEAGUE VALENCE 2013
Match results:
Saturday, 22nd of June, 2013
14:15 ? Czech Republic 11-5 Andorra (Division B)
15:30 ? England 2-1 Moldova (Division B)
16:45 ? Switzerland 6-2 Portugal (Division A)
18:00 ? Spain 5-2 France (Division A)
Matches for tomorrow:
Sunday, 23rd of June, 2013
14:15 ? Andorra vs Moldova (Division B)
15:30 ? Czech Republic vs England (Division B)
16:45 ? Switzerland vs Spain (Division A)
18:00 ? France vs Portugal (Division A)
