Euro Winners Challenge 2023: Day 1 Round-up

The first day of the Euro Winners Challenge is complete

The Euro Winners Challenge 2023 got started on Friday, as teams from all four groups played their first matches…

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Group A
Soares scores a brace, as Vila Flor come from behind to clinch first win
Vila Flor took on AO Kefalinia to kick-start this year’s proceedings of the Euro Winners Challenge. The Greek side took the lead in the first period courtesy of Tsiakalos as he drifted past his man and fired home.

The Portuguese side then struck back in the second period after hit the woodwork multiple times, as Fernandes blasted the ball into for the equaliser, and the only goal of the period.

The third period belonged to Soares as he came alive, scoring two huge goals for Vila Flor to turn the game on its head and secure his a valuable three points.

AD Buarcos 2017 take the win in the highest scoring match of the day
AD Buarcos 2017 were in firm control against Miehet after the first period, as goals from Joaozinho, Francisco and Seco made the score 3-0 by the first interval.

In the second period, another goal Joaozinho as well as strikes from Jose Guilherme and Joao Mota made the score 6-0 to the Portuguese side. The Finns managed to pull back three goals in the period, but another AD Buarcos 2017 goal meant that they still have a four goal advantage.

Mäkelä scored early in the third period for Miehet however, Joao Mota and Joaozinho found the target again to kill off the fixture.

Group B
A dozen goals scored, as Leixões SC cruise to victory in an all Portuguese encounter
GD Sesismbra intially took the lead as Gonçalo Mantorras slotted home, but this was quickly cancelled out as Santos and Telmo both got their names on the scoresheet for Leixões SC before the first period came to its conclusion.

Just 15 seconds into the second period, Alexsandro R. turned the ball into his own net for Sesimbra, followed by a goal from Belchior and another own goal, this time by goalscorer Gonçalo Mantorras, with the score at 5-1 at the end of the second.

Portuguese legend, Belchior and Sesimbra’s, Mantorras both finally completed their hat-tricks in the final period, with other goals Thiaguinho and Santos confirming a 9-3 win for Leixões SC in Group B.

AD “Nazaré 2022” take the points on home turf
The Estádio do Viveiro – Jordan Santos erupted as the local side took the lead early on against English side, Portsmouth BSC as Bruninho slammed home. An equaliser was seen soon after as Toovey scored his goal with finesse into the bottom left corner, as he celebrated with his team.

It was Gould who was the only goalscorer in the second period, as he put Portsmouth ahead for the first time in the match, in hostile territory.

Beach Soccer Worldwide Ambassador and AD “Nazaré 2022” goalkeeper, Rolon, hit a rocket from distance into the top corner to equalise in the last period, as momentum shifted with the crowds cheers, and with just under three minutes to play, Joãozinho smashed his free-kick low to the the goalkeeper’s right to triumph in front of a delighted crowd.

Group C
FC Genappe win a seven-goal thriller in Nazaré
We were to treated to an extremely competitive fixture as Belgian outifit, FC Genappe faced CB Viseu to kick-off Group C. There were five goals scored in the first period, with Pampero starting the scoring for FC Genappe, which was followed by a clinical strike from team-mate, Vlaminck as his free-kick was fired into the top-right corner. The Portuguese side however, weren’t willing to back down as Daniel scored two goals to bring the scores level. FC Genappe restored their lead late in the period as Pampero was on the scoresheet once again to bag his second of the game.

CB Viseu came flying out of the blocks in the second period, as Pereira brought scores level once again to make the score 3-3 heading into the thirds and final period.

The Belgium-based team regained their advantage seven minutes from time and put the match to bed, as Huby saw his sweetly struck overhead kick land into the top corner to set the pace in Group C.

A hat-trick and ten goals scored, as SM Jalles get the job done
SM Jalles were the second French team in action of the day on the Main Stadium pitch as they took on São Domingos. Scores were level at 1-1 after the first 12 minutes of play, as Bizot and Monteiro were both on target for their respective teams.

It wasn’t long before Bizot scored and put his side in the lead once again, but under a minute later São Domingos replied with a goal of their own from Frazão to put themselves back on level terms. Fillaudeau proceeded to score his first two goals of the match, with a response from Hélio Vaz inbetween for the trailing side.

With one goals separating the sides going into the last period, the next goal was vital, Fillaudeau did it again to score his hat-trick and Arranz scored the sixth to move SM Jalles in touching distance of victory. Chiquinho pulled one back with 42 seconds left, but resulted in only being a concelation for his team.

Group D
A mighty victory for Minots de Marseille
French-based side, Minots de Marseille put in an incredible performance as the cruised to victory against Belgians, RFC Perwez BS on the sands of Nazaré. Dhaouadi got the scoring started for Minots de Marseille, as they led 1-0 after the first period.

The lead was extended the lead in the second phase of play as Constant hit the back of the net for his side. The Belgians bounced back and halved the deficit as Lambert leveled the scoring with four minutes of the period to play, but Samoun was on the mark with just 35 seconds of the period remaining, making the score 3-1.

Constant added insult to injury in the final period as he delicately side footed the ball home in at the near post, for his side’s fourth of the afternoon. With the game already out of reach for RFC Perwez BS, one and a half minutes from time, Dhaouadi scored his second of tournament with a well-timed finish into the bottom corner, with a fantastic celebration to match, to seal the deal.