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MY BEACH SOCCER 
Sporting Clube de Portugal, FC Lokomotiv, Flamengo, and FC Barcelona are set to headline very competitive day 2 in Barcelona
Sporting Clube de Portugal steers clear of Levante for win
The 6-4 win for Sporting Clube de Portugal over Levante UD was an excellent display of beach soccer, not just a club level, as the competition was tight and both sides responded to the other team gaining the momentum. Sporting may have looked like the favorite on paper, but they were played tightly by the Spanish club. Levante saw an early deficit and fought back to tie it in the third frame, but it was Sporting Clube de Portugal who responded with a hat-trick from one of their stars, Belchior, to pull away from Levante. The win gives Sporting the events’ first victory, an exciting one at that, and puts them into the semi-finals, set for Saturday. Levante could not have played much better but they will still be playing on Saturday in the consolation semis
Beach soccer is commonly known for its quick and plentiful shots and this match began with the two sides securing good shots on goal, but it was the Portuguese club that scored forced, nailing home a shot from Jordan. The two sides were showing their similar levels of play and only a minute later, Ivan scored for Levanted to level things at 1. The living legend, Madjer, also made presence on the pitch made known as he score the second for Sporting, putting them up 2 goals to 1. Levante found themselves with a late period empty net chance, which they succeeded on to tie things at 2 going into the first break. The opening minutes of the middle frame belonged to the team from Lisbon as they got another goal from Madjer and one from Belchior, teammates on the Portuguese National Selection, and they held a 4-2 lead going into the middle of the match. Lady Luck was not shining on the Spanish club as Levante as not able to find another score, they it was Sporting Clube de Portugal making amazing saves to keep the score at 4-2 for Portugal going into the final frame.
Goalies are known to score in beach soccer and that is exactly what happened when V. Viala, the captain of Levante UD, put a shot from long distance into the net, tying the score at 4-4 in the first minute of the final frame. The Portuguese side were still playing fantastic despite giving up the last two goals, and the second and third goals from Belchior, restored the two goal lead and left the score at 6-4 for Sporting, going into the final minutes of the match. Levante looked ready to make another push at the lead when they were awarded a late penalty kick but a save prevented Levante from starting the comeback and when the final whistle had sounded, Sporting Clube de Portugal had earned the tight 6-4 win.
Goals: 1-0: Jordan, min. 9 (1); 1-1: Ivan, min. 8 (1); 2-1: Madjer, min. 7 (1); 2-2: Jony, min. 3 (1); 3-2: Madjer, min. 10 (2); 4-2: Belchior, min. 9 (2); 4-3: Toni, min. 0 (2); 4-4: V. Viala, min. 11 (3); 5-4: Belchior, min, 9 (3); 6-4: Belchior, min. 8 (3).
FC Lokomotiv Moscow shuts down Boca Juniors for Semis berth
The 2-0 win for FC Lokomotiv Moscow over CA Boca Juniors was a match that could have very well finished with a score of 10-8 but excellent defense and goaltending was played throughout and a late first period goal to go a long with an early middle frame goal were enough to keep Boca Juniors at bay and from advancing. The Russian club were aggressive from the start but the energy was too high to measure and the Argentina club matched the intensity but it could not last and the Russian side proved to have the right stuff for the victory. The win puts Lokomotiv in the semi-finals against fellow opening day winner, Sporting Clube de Portugal, on Saturday. Boca Juniors will fight for up to 5th place, starting on Saturday against Levante UD.
Two of the toughest sides were pitted against one another in this quarterfinal match and the early defensive fortitude showed that their overall levels were even and that they did not want to miss a beat and give up the first goal. The goals were destined to come and the first one came on a great individual effort of Moscow. The late period goal came in the final minute of the first period and the score headed into the second period by the score of 1-0 for the Russian side. Locomotive began the second 12 minutes like they ended the first 12, with a beautiful goal and the second period strike came from Makarov, which put the score at 2-0. The two teams knew this was basically an elimination gave as a loss put them in the consolation semi-finals, while a win kept them alive in this prestigious club event. The aggressive and fast play showed players were in their best form, however the defenses did well to keep the same score going into the final period, with Moscow up by a slim margin of 2-0.
Boca Juniors started the final period being relentlessly attacked from Moscow, as the opening minutes saw the Russian club keeping possession on the Argentinean side of the pitch, while also taking a number of shots on goal. Similar to a boxing match where the boxers take and give their shots, hoping to tire the opponent until they can nail the knockout punch, this match had a similar feel. Boca Juniors were taking the shots on the chin, but to the dismay of Moscow, they were not conceding any goals and going into the middle of the frame, the score was sitting at 2-0 for Lokomotiv. The Argentine club began to find their counter attacks and stood their ground as the period progressed but they were still unable to find that elusive first goal as the game went into the very crucial and tense final minutes. The Russian side finished the game up by the score of 2-0.
Goals: 1-0: Daniel, min. 1 (1); 2-0: Makarov, min. 10 (2).
Flamengo triumphs big over Valencia and heads to semis
The 12-1 win for CR Flamengo over Valencia CF was close in the opening period, where there were minutes where Valencia shut down the Brazilian side, but the end of the first twelve minutes and the final 24 belonged to Flamengo. They held a slim 1-0 advantage until late in the first frame, then two late goals, one in the final minute, put the Brazilian champion of a club up 3-0 and then the second period saw Valencia score one goal, but also allow five goals. The final period was more of Flamengo controlling proceedings though Valencia continually put up a fight. The win secures Flamengo a shot in the semis on Sunday and a win there would put them in the final on Saturday. The loss was difficult to take for Valencia, but they will have the chance to rebound on Saturday in the consolation semi-finals.
Chances to score came fast and often but both sides barely missed scoring on multiple occasions but the prettiness of the plays were undeniable and the amazing ball control, teamwork, and of course bicycle kicks were abundant. One chance that did not go missing was a rocket from Dmais that gave the Brazilian club a 1-0 lead nearing the middle of the opening frame. Valencia was playing a very balanced period, mixing in defense with timely counter-attacks, but they could not find the back of the net as the period was winding down. The news got better for Flamengo as they scored a beautiful shot then flick header from Leo, to go up 2-0, but a last second goal from Bernardo put the score at 3-0 going into the first break. Much like the Brazilian National Selection, Flamengo was able to use deft passing and tremendous defense to build a big lead. Flamingo netted big and jaw-dropping goals, two from Gabriel in the period even, to push their lead to 8 goals before the Spanish club got one back and the score sat at 8-1 for Flamengo going into the last break.
By the time the final frame rolled around, the two teams knew exactly what to expect from the other side, offensively and defensively, however that did not make much difference in the score with the Brazilian side holding onto the comfortable seven goal lead while the Spanish squad tried to scratch and claw their way back into the match. Flamengo did however keep the pressure on and always looked hungry for more goals. That goal came before the the midway point in the period, as Gabriel scored his third of the day for his South American side, which made the score 9-1 going into the final minutes of the match. Just past the midway point of the period, Leo scored his second in the match, giving Flamengo double digits and more than enough for the win as they finished the third period up 12-1.
Goals: 1-0: Dmais, min. 9 (1); 2-0: Leo, min. 2 (1); 3-0: Bernardo, min. 0 (1); 4-0: Fred, min. 10 (2); 5-0: Dmais, min. 7 (2); 6-0: Andre, min. 5 (2); 7-0: Gabriel, min. 2 (2); 8-0: Gabriel, min. 1 (2); 8-1: Miguel, min. 1 (2); 9-1: Gabriel, min. 7 (3); 10-1: Leo, min. 5 (3); 11-1: Digogama, min. 1 (3); 12-1: Bernardo, min. 0 (3).
FC Barcelona head to semis after well-rounded win
The 11-1 win for FC Barcelona over Bate Borisov was very convincing as the hosts used weapons on the offensive and defensive end to secure the victory. The eventual winners did not dominate like you might expect after looking at the score. They methodically charged, withstood offensive onslaughts and surgically scored on their opponents. The big stars scored and scored often with two four goal performances and another phenomenal player with multiple goals, and that was enough ammunition to run away with the win. The triumph puts Barça in the semi-finals on Saturday. The loss will be a great learning experience for Bate as they will need to find more goals from somewhere to win on Saturday in the consolation semis.
The Barça players did not need any extra motivation for this match, playing in front of their rowdy home fans, and it showed. The Catalan club began by throwing shots towards goal like it was a dartboard, however they were not able to initially get a bullseye, due in part to Bate Borisov and their stout defense. Any number of players ca score for Barcelona at any point but almost everyones guess would have been Llorenç, the young talismanic scorer, or the living legend of beach soccer, Amarelle. The latter hit first, before the hallway point of the period, to put his side up 1-0. As if they were trying to make a picture-perfect story book, Llorenç, the local star from Catalonia, scored the next three goals, in the span of less than a minute, to put his side up 4-0 and send the crowd into an emotional state of glee. The tables turned in the second, though the score did not, the Belorussian side went on the attack and were asking more questions of Dona, the Barça keeper, and the entire Catalan club defense, but they were up to the task, weathering the storm. The long road to a comeback was started when the Bate captain, Haiduk, took the scoring on himself and scored the matches’ fifth goal, but his sides’ first and the game went into the final with Barça up 5-1 after a great direct kick and goal from distance by Ott.
Barcelona stayed in the driver seat, as they were in complete control especially after they scored early in the final frame to make the score 6-1 and restore their comfortable five goal lead. Bate Borisov were continually asking questions but they could get enough to make an early period comeback and the score remained 6-1 for the home team, going into the middle of the frame. The help to finish the story that Amarelle and Llorenç began earlier in the match, and in the crossing of paths of their careers, came in the form of an assist from Llorenç that led to a magnificent bicycle finish from Amarelle. The script was not finished yet as Amarelle then netted another two him four for the day and when the last whistle sounded the final score was 11-1 for FC Barcelona.
Goals: 1-0: Amarelle, min. 7 (1); 2-0: Llorenç, min. 4 (1); 3-0: Llorenç, min. 4 (1); 4-0: Llorenç, min. 4 (1); 4-1: Haiduk, min. 3 (2); 5-1: Ott, min. 2 (2); 6-1: Pajon, min. 10 (3); 7-1: Amarelle, min. 7 (3); 8-1: Amarelle, min. 6 (3); 9-1: Llorenç, min. 4 (3); 10-1: Ott, min. 2 (3); 11-1: Amarelle, min. 0 (3).
BARCELONA BEACH SOCCER CUP 2015
Results Today:
Friday 01.05.15
15:15 – Sporting Clube de Portugal 6-4 Levante UD
16:30 – FC Lokomotiv Moscow 2-0 CA Boca Juniors
17:45 – CR Flamengo 12-1 Valencia CF
19:00 – FC Barcelona 11-1 Bate Borisov
Upcoming Matches:
Saturday 02.05.15
11:00 – Levante UD vs Valencia CF
12:15 – Bate Borisov vs CA Boca Juniors
13:30 – FC Barcelona vs FC Lokomotiv Moscow
14:45 – Sporting Clube de Portugal vs CR Flamengo
