Euro Beach Soccer League 2023 – Superfinal: Day 4 round-up

Spain, Belarus, Portugal and Italy are semi-finalists in Alghero

Quarter-final action took place in the Euro Beach Soccer League – Superfinal, as four semi-final places were available…

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Quarter-finals
Spain make the final four
Spain win 9-5 against Denmark.

The first quarter-final in Alghero was a match between Spain and Denmark, as both sides looked to book their place in the last four of the Euro Beach Soccer League – Superfinal.

The Spaniards converted five times in the opening period against their opponents, leading 5-2 at the first interval. David handed Spain the lead in the period, as Frandsen put the Danes back on level terms. The Spanish team then continued to score their four other goals via Camacho, Chiky, Arias, and David. Axel Damm found Denmark’s second after picking out the top-left corner.

Trailing by three going into the second period, Denmark had work to do and they acted fast, scoring twice inside the four minutes of the period, with goals shared between Madsen and Jørgensen. Spain struck back however, as Chiky netted his second of the game and Kuman tucked home his first.

After scoring the first goal of the last period, Wegeberg raised Danish spirits as he brought his nation within two goals of their opponents. Nonetheless, Spain weren’t phased, finding two more goals of their own through Kuman and Oliver to book their spot in the semi-finals.

Belarus book their place
Belarus beat Switzerland 4-3.

The second quarter-final match of the day saw Switzerland take on Belarus.

Switzerland flew out the gates in the opening period after a strike from Steinemann opened the scoring, but Ryabko instantly made it all square in Alghero. Steinemann secured his brace less than a minute later, yet Belarus were right back on their tales seconds after from Bryshtsel, with the scores sat at 2-2 after one period played.

Belarus went ahead for the first time in the knockout fixture in the second period, after Hardzetski netted Belarus’ third. However, Switzerland fought back through Hodel, but Bokach converted the all-important winner for Belarus with less than a minute remaining in the period, as no more goals came in the remainder of the match.

This result means that Spain will face Belarus to decide who makes it to the final.

Powerful Portugal cruise to victory
Portugal defeat Germany 8-2.

With two semi-final places remaining, Portugal faced Germany in the third quarter-final.

Bê Martins put Portugal in the lead with less than a minute since the match began which turned out to be the only time the scoreboard changed in the period, as Portugal led 1-0 at the break.

Baaske got scoring started again in the fixture, making the scores even in the second period. Nevertheless, Portugal were ruthless for the remaining 10 minutes of the period as Pintado netted a brace and Bê Martins scored a double, completing his hat-trick.

Portugal put the finishing touches on their performance to secure victory in the final period, as Leo Martins, Bernardo and Jordan all scored. Olli found Germany’s second goal with seconds remaining, but it wasn’t enough to take their Portuguese opponents to extra-time.

Italy claim the final spot
Italy win 8-2 against Romania.

The last quarter-final fixture of the day was a match-up between Italy and Romania, with the winner facing Portugal in the next round.

It took less than two minutes for the deadlock to be broken, as the hosts went in front through Genovali. The Italians went even further ahead just over a minute after the first as Romania player, Ionut scored an own goal. With the minutes ticking away in the period, Romania eventually made their breakthrough with Marian striking to half the deficit.

Italy achieved their third goal of the encounter as Giordani scored the only goal of the second period, making the score 3-1, as they were within touching distance of making the semi-finals.

The final period belonged to Italy, firing in five goals with some great ones along the way. Goals from Carpita, Giordani, Zurlo, Fazzini and Remedi sealed the deal, despite conceding from Marian in the period.

The Azzurri will next face Portugal in the semi-finals.

Play-offs
9th-11th play-off
Poland win 2-1 against Türkiye.

Poland went ahead in the fixture with less than three minutes remaining in the opening period through Bistula, as Efe Lorenzo put the match back on level terms in the second period. However, in the final 12 minutes in Alghero, Witkowski bagged the winner for Poland.

12th-15th place play-off
Greece beat Moldova 5-4 on penalties after a 2-2 draw in the match.

Ignat’s brace sent Moldova two goals ahead in the opening period, but goals from Lympousis and Mikelatos across the final two periods of the match took the fixture to an eventual penalty shootout. Greece came out 5-4 victors over the Moldovans.

France defeat Azerbaijan 9-3.

Varrel’s brace helped France lead 5-1 after 12 minutes of the match, before they added two goals to their tally in the second period, and Varrel capped off the win with a completion of his hat-trick.