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MY BEACH SOCCER 
After the first day of competition, four teams keep on the track to this Crocs Challenge Cup final. Azerbaijan, Turkey, England and Holland have got into the semifinals of this new and exciting competition held in The Hague Beachstadion.
Tomorrow afternoon, Azerbaijan and Turkey (16:30) are to face each other for a place in the final, and the same works for England and hosts Holland (15:15).
Azerbaijan knocks Czech Republic out after blow exchange
The Azeri National Team has put the Czech Republic out of the race for the Crocs Challenge Cup, after their victory this morning. The match was absolutely leveled all the time, with the Czechs neutralizing the advantage every time that Azerbaijan got ahead in the score. This was the way this fixture showed until last period, when the two goal advantage by the Azeri proved too much for Bohac’s team.
First period ended with 6 goals that gave the momentary leadership to Azerbaijan (2-4). Czechs reacted in the second 12 minutes, to level the score for the third time this match, after Hurab’s header. But this was to become the last time they did so, since Azeri captain, Huseynov, completed his hat-trick to establish a two-goal difference in mid third period. Hurab again shortened this distance, but although the Czechs kept on trying until the final horn, Kurdov’s goal was locked for them.
Goals: 0-1: Gulyev, min. 11 (1); 1-1: Stejskal, min. 11 (1); 1-2: Zeynalov, min. 6 (1); 2-2: Dlouhy, min. 4 (1); 2-3: Huseynov, min. 3 (1); 2-4: Baghirov, min. 1 (1); 3-4: Dlouhy, min. 3 (2); 4-4: Hurab, min. 2 (2); 4-5: Huseynov, min. 2 (2); 4-6: Huseynov, min. 7 (3); 5-6: Hurab, 2 (3).
Penalty shootout gets Turkey on
Norway saw how the penalty shootout finished their options to go on in the Crocs Challenge Cup 2010, in a match that they had almost under control for most of the time. But a breed comeback from Turkey in the last period took the game into extra time, and to the 9 meters roulette afterwards. And there the Ottomans were better, and secured the door in to the next round.
The game took a real Norwegian colour in the first two periods. The Nordic hit twice in the beginning of the match, and although Ayhan cut the distance, Jacobsen made his team reach the last break 3-1 up. But the Turkish never give up easily, and they got in control of the match in the last stage and Serhat and Erhan equalized the score, which did not move again.
Nor it did during the extra time, what drove this Crocs Challenge Cup play-off into the penalty shootout. Haughland and Onur scored; so it did Johansen and Serhat. But in the Norwegian third shot, Gokhan guessed Jacobsen intentions and set the things for Hasan to finish the game. He didn’t, due to a great save by Rekdal, and the game was tied again. Next to shoot in the Nordic ranks was Melandez, only to find his attempt hit the goalmouth. This time, Ayhan did not forgive the opponent, and his attempt was unreachable for the Nordic keeper. Turkey, then, will play tomorrow (16:30) for a place into the final.
Goals: 1-0: Haughland, min. 11 (1); 2-0: Melandez, min. 9 (1); 2-1: Ayhan, min. 3 (1); 3-1: Jacobsen, min. 0 (2); 3-2: Serhan, min. 7 (3); 3-3: Erhan, min. 5 (3).
Penalty shootout: Haughland (in); Onur (in); Johansen (in); Serhat; Jacobsen (Gokhan saves); Hasan (Rekdal saves); Melandez (post); Ayhan (in)
England gets into Crocs Challenge next round
An England-Germany always is an England-Germany. It does not matter the sport, the place or the weather, spectacle is granted, as well as competitiveness and determination. Today’s showdown in the Crocs Challenge Cup being held in The Hague has been a good instance of it. English and Germans forces have clashed in a great beach soccer match that ended with twelve goals and the British getting the ticket for next round.
Both teams have been close in the score all match long. It was not until the third period that England hit twice to get a wider distance. Funnel, with an acrobatic volley, and Sprooles’ accurate header put the English two goals ahead. One of the German stars, Mari, shortened the distance after a free kick, but it was not long that Mitchell sent the missile back to make the final 7-5.
It seemed too much for the Germans at that point. They had determinedly struggled since the very beginning to neutralize the British advantages, but this time it was too late, and they were too tired for the miracle.
Goals: 0-1: Caique, min. 5 (1); 1-1: Evans, min. 10 (2); 2-1: Sprooles, min. 9 (2); 2-2: Olli, min. 9 (2); 3-2: Blake, min. 6 (2); 4-2: Blake, min. 5 (2); 4-3: Klon, min. 5 (2); 4-4: Mari, min. 2 (2); 5-4: Funnell, min. 9 (3); 6-4: Sprooles, min. 6 (3); 6-5: Mari, min. 4 (3); 7-5: Mitchell, min. 3 (3).
Holland will also be in the semifinals
The Netherlands have secured they are not missing the chance to fight for the Crocs Challenge Cup they are hosting after their brilliant victory over Andorra (11-3). This gives the Orange the chance to fight England tomorrow (15:15) for a place in the final.
Although Andorra was to surprise hosts stepping forth on the score, first, and equalizing their first advantage, second, there was no doubt that Netherlands were in command, and that it was just a matter of time that the Dutch side got ahead in the score. Indeed, at the beginning of the second period, Holland was 6-2 up.
Dias shorted the distance for the Pyrenean squad, but that was the last of his team’s advances, since Netherlands finished the match in the third quarter, scoring four goals that grant them a convincing victory to go on in the tournament. England awaits…
Goals: 0-1: Juli, min. 11 (1); 1-1: Koswal, min. 11 (1); 2-1: Van Geldermalsen, min. 6 (1); 2-2: Juli, min. 5 (1); 3-2: Ax, min. 4 (1); 4-2: Ax, min. 4 (1); 5-2: Ax, min. 3 (1); 6-2: Koswal, min. 11 (2); 6-3: Dias, min. 10 (2); 7-3: Ax, min. 4 (2); 8-3: Van der Gaauw, min. 8 (3); 9-3: Ajiach, min. 7 (3); 10-3: Van der Gaauw, min. 5 (3); 11-3: Liefden, min. 1 (3).
Results and schedule for tomorrow
13:15 CZECH REP. 5 vs. 6 AZERBAIJAN
14:30 NORWAY 3 (2) vs.3 (3) TURKEY
15:45 ENGLAND 7 vs.5 GERMANY
19:30 NETHERLANDS 11 vs. 3 ANDORRA
Sat 24.07.10
12:45 CZECH REPUBLIC vs. NORWAY
14:00 GERMANY vs. ANDORRA
15:15 ENGLAND vs. NETHERLANDS
16:30 AZERBAIJAN vs. TURKEY
