Azerbaijan, new Division A team!

The Azeri hold their nerve to edge Promotion Final against Hungary in a dramatic game with late equalisers, extra time and penalty kick shootout

Azerbaijan won a dramatic Promotion Final 4-3 on penalties against Hungary to book their place in next year’s Euro Beach Soccer League Divison A.

Hungary were beaten 3-0 by their Promotion Final opponents a few weeks ago in Siofok and looked to be on course for revenge as they led 3-1 midway through the second period.

However, Abdul, Sabir and a brace from Orkhan completed a remarkable comeback only for Besenyei to take the game to extra time and penalties with two late goals.

Hungary captain Berkes was the unfortunate man to miss the crucial penalty, sending Azerbaijan into the top tier in dramatic circumstances.

In a fast-paced opening period, Besenyei and Csoszanszki scored either side of Sabir’s equaliser to send Hungary into the break ahead.

Besenyei produced a sublime flick and finished past Vagif midway through the second frame to give Hungary breathing space but Abdul closed the gap before Sabir levelled from close range two minutes into the final period.

Orkhan – another to impress for Azerbaijan in the competition – put his side in front for the first time and then produced a wonderful strike from the left wing to seemingly put the result beyond doubt.

However, the drama continued as Besenyei scored twice more as the game ultimately went to penalties, where Hikmat saw his saved by Ficsor before Elchin denied Rutai.

The crucial miss was Berkes’ however, the skipper sending his effort wayward as Hungary’s hopes of an immediate return to Division A ended.

Goals: 1-0: Besenyei, min. 7 (1); 1-1: Sabir, min. 6 (1); 2-1: Csoszanszki, min. 6 (1); 3-1: Besenyei, min. 6 (2); 3-2: Abdul, min. 11 (3); 3-3: Sabir, min. 10 (3); 3-4: Orkhan, min. 5 (3); 3-5: Orkhan, min. 1 (3); 4-5: Besenyei, min. 1 (3): 5-5: Besenyei, min. 0 (3)

Penalties: Renat (AZE) scored, Sebestyen (HUN) scored, Asif (AZE) scored, Csoszanszki (HUN) scored, Amid (AZE) scored, Szentes-Biro (HUN) scored, Hikmat (AZE) saved, Rutai (HUN) saved, Orkhan (AZE) scored, Berkes (HUN) missed

England bounce back to claim third place

England tied up third place at the Promotion Final in Catania with a 4-2 win against Estonia on Sunday. Following back-to-back defeats against Turkey and Azerbaijan, England fell behind in their final clash of the weekend before Temple, Clarke, Lawson and Day ultimately ensured third, Truusalu’s late effort unable to inspire an Estonian comeback.

In the other matches in this last day of the Euro Beach Soccer League Promotion Final, Turkey breezed past Romania on Sunday to wrap up fifth spot with an 8-4 win as Czech Republic avoided finishing bottom of the pile in the Promotion Final on Sunday, proving too strong for Moldova in a 3-2 win.