Turkey snatches the Division A place from France

Beach Soccer fans in Lisbon have witnessed how Turkey beat France in the dramatic Promotion Final, clinching the Division A passport from the French. The Ottomans have become a top-flight team for next season in an exciting game which was only decided in its last stage.

Everyone in the stadium could breath the tension and responsibility in the air minutes after the kick-off whistle. The prize was significant enough. Turkey seemed to be more strong-willed from the beginning. Pushed forward by the illusion of such a worked-out opportunity, they quickly got in command of the game. Ayhan turned it into the first advantage for Turkey, but Pagis neutralized it three minutes afterwards. As minutes passed by, any mistake would become more and more dangerous, and any step forward could mean the glory. It was not so with the next Turkish hit, by Tamer, since Samoun achieved the equalizer again for Les Bleus.

But it definitely was when Seyit Ahmet made it 3-2. Cantona’s lads were unable to find the crack in the Ottoman rearguard, and nervousness made it more and more difficult as the final whistle got closer. With 4 minutes to go, Kerem scored a superb goal to almost finish all French options, and put Turkey as close to the elite league as ever. France was finally able to shorten the distance, thanks to captain Basquaise, but time was already almost gone and there was not room enough for any miracle. With the final horn, the Turkish players and staff cried for their great triumph, that merits them the privileged stage for next year.

Goals: 0-1: Ayhan, min. 7 (1); 1-1: Pagis, min. 4 (1); 1-2: Tamer, min. 11 (2); 2-2: Samoun, min. 8 (2); 2-3: S. Ahmet, min. 1 (2); 2-4: Kerem, min. 4 (3); 3-4: Basquaise, min. 0 (3)

Israel smashes Hungary in the last periods

Israel have conquered the EBSL Promotion Final third place thanks to an emphatic win to Hungary. After a leveled first period, the Israeli destroyed the Magyar with a 0-6 run in the second and third periods, finishing the game minutes before the final whistle. Israel’s captain, Iloz, was undoubtedly the most outstanding player, thanks to his terrific 5-goal register.

Although Hungary stepped forward on the scoreboard, Israel soon turned it around to make it 1-3 at the beginning of the second period. Weisz’s 2-3 was only the preface to Benyamin Lam side’s goal frenzy, which raised the 2-8. But, as if it was not enough punishment, the blue side goalkeeper, Abu, offered flashing saves, conceding no Magyar chance in. Only a free kick and a penalty kick put Hungary a little closer in the score, never close enough to worry the Israeli, though.

Goals: 1-0: Abel, min. 11 (1); 1-1: Iloz, min. 7 (1); 1-2: Amar, min. 6 (6); 1-3: Iloz, min. 10 (2); 2-3: Weisz, min. 7 (2); 2-4: Amar, min. 5 (2); 2-5: Iloz, min. 4 (2); 2-6: Yatim, min. 11 (3); 2-7: Iloz, min. 9 (3); 2-8: Iloz, min. 3 (3); 3-8: Vigh, min. 3 (3); 4-8: Abel, min. 2 (3).

Huseynov’s missiles knock England down

Azerbaijan ended this EBSL Promotion Final with a victory over England that merited them the fifth position in the overall season rank. The Azeri took the best advantage of their more decisive players, mainly Huseynov, to secure their first and last victory in the tournament. Although the English managed two equalizers after Azerbaijan’s steps forward, last period double stroke was too much for Bowes’ squad.

After a leveled but blunt first period, in which none of the teams reached their opponent’s goal in real danger, Zeynalov put the Azeri ahead after a great double heel pass move. However, Evans equalized the score in the very first second leaving things exactly as they were one minute before. Then, a couple of chances for both teams gave way to Huseynov’s goal. Azerbaijan’s number eight finished a counterattack with a low shot Webb could not save making his team reach the last break one goal up.

That was not to last much, though, since Black balanced the score again for the English in the first minute of the third period. At that point, it seemed Engalnd could try something to win the game, but they found Baghirov’s brilliant move for the 2-3, and Huseynov’s double for the 2-4 instead. Two goals difference was too much this time, and Azerbaijan will keep the fifth position in this 2010 season of the Euro Beach Soccer League.

Goals: 0-1: Zeynalov, min. 6 (2); 1-1: Evans, min. 6 (2); 1-2: Huseynov, min. 3 (2); 2-2: Black, min. 11 (3); 2-3: Baghirov, min. 9 (3); 2-4: Huseynov, min. 8 (3).

Match results and schedule – PROMOTION FINAL

Date                       Match    Time (local)          Matches

Thu 26.08.10         1            13:15                     ISRAEL  3-3 (2-3)  TURKEY

                               2            14:30                     FRANCE  10-4  ENGLAND

Fri 27.08.10           5            13:15                     AZERBAIJAN  4-5  TURKEY

                               6            14:30                     HUNGARY  5-3  ENGLAND

Sat 28.08.10          9            13:15                     ISRAEL  3-1  AZERBAIJAN

                               10          14:30                     FRANCE  7-2  HUNGARY

Sun 29.08.10         13          10:00                     ENGLAND  2-4  AZERBAIJAN

                                                                           Promotion Final 5^th & 6^th Place Match

                               15          13:00                     FRANCE  3-4  TURKEY

                                                                           PROMOTION FINAL

                               16          14:30                     HUNGARY 4-8  ISRAEL

                                                                           Promotion Final 3^rd & 4^th Place Match

Promotional Final final standings

1- TURKEY (promotes to EBSL Division A for next season)

2- FRANCE (relegated from EBSL Division A)

3- ISRAEL

4-HUNGARY

5- AZERBAIJAN

6- ENGLAND