Big hitters put on a show as qualifying starts in Jesolo

Spain and Portugal picked up big wins on Friday while Turkey stunned Belarus.

Spain and Portugal sent out a message to their rivals in Jesolo on Friday as FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup qualifying got under way. The two nations hit the goal trail against Denmark and Moldova respectively on an opening day full of thrills and spills.

Group A

In Group A, hosts Italy got their campaign up and running against Serbia as Massimo Agostini’s men treated the Jesolo supporters to an 8-4 win thanks to a Gori hat-trick.

All was going well for the world’s fourth-ranked side when they moved 5-1 up with less than three minutes left of the second period – only for Serbia to battle back with the help of Cetkovic’s brace.

But Gori’s third goal and further efforts from Ramacciotti and Di Palma ensured Italy’s campaign got under way with a win.

Earlier, Turkey sprung the surprise of the day by beating Belarus 3-2 to put them second in the pool.

Belarus competed in the top division of the recent Superfinal in Catania while Turkey registered just one win in Catania’s second tier, but, despite the 18-place difference in the rankings, Kerem Sinc’s brace inspired a valuable win.

Group B

World champions Portugal put on a clinical display to rout Group B rivals Moldova 15-0, Leo Martins and Jordan weighing in with seven between them. 

In their first outing since surrendering their European title to Ukraine in Catania, Mario Narciso’s men demonstrated their quality against a Moldova side who struggled to cope as Leo Martins struck four times, while Jordan registered a hat-trick.

Even missing the rested Belchior and Torres, Portugal were a cut above and go top of the pool above England, who produced a stunning late fightback to kickstart their FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup qualification hopes, as three goals in the last two minutes ensured a 6-4 win over Romania in Group B.

Having led through O’Rourke’s early effort, Romania showed their strength to amass a 3-2 lead midway through the second period.

Indeed, they led 4-3 early in the third but Day’s brace and a goal from Temple turned the tables in a thrilling contest.

Group C 

Four goals from Shishin helped Russia to a 5-1 win against Kazakhstan in Group C, although the world’s number two side were made to work hard.

Despite a 67-place difference in the rankings, Kazakhstan proved awkward opposition – shutting out Russia until midway through the second period – when Shisin opened the scoring before bagging three more to avoid any upsets for the two-time World Cup winners.

Elsewhere in the group, Germany edged a thriller against Norway as Keppinho’s extra-time winner ensured a 4-3 victory.

The Scandinavians led at the break through Li and Kristofferson but saw Keppinho and Olli level matters before Biermann put Germany infront early in the final frame.

Li’s second restored parity but the impressive Keppinho settled the contest in extra time to hand Germany the points.

Group E

Chiky was the star of the show for Spain as they dismantled Denmark 10-2 in their FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup qualification opener.

R. Merida proved Spain’s inspiration early on, scoring twice to help his side into a 3-1 lead midway through the second period before Chiky scored four times in the latter stages as the side who finished fourth at the Superfinal in Catania eased to their first points in Jesolo, also with the help of Eduard’s hat-trick.

Group G

Hungary were given a stern test of their FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup qualification credentials as they edged past Bulgaria 3-2 on penalties.

Bulgaria sat 48 places below Hungary going into the contest and, despite going down to goals from Turos and Patocs, they levelled by the end of the first period.

Lozanov and Tuzakov cancelled out Turos and Patocs’ second goals, taking the game to extra time, before Tsvetkov kept his side alive thanks to a late equaliser with seconds remaining.

But Bulgaria ran out of steam in the shootout, with Lozanov the man to fail from the spot, Hungary collecting a point to sit behind Group G leaders France who fought back to see off recently-promoted Azerbaijan.

Azerbaijan – who will feature in the top tier of the Euro Beach Soccer League next term – fell behind through Barbotti only for Asif and Ilkin to turn the result on its head.

But Samoun’s two late goals settled the contest, France’s battling efforts rewarded with maximum points. 

Friday results

Belarus 2-3 Turkey

England 6-4 Romania

Bulgaria (2) 5-5 (3) Hungary

Germany 4-3 Norway (AET)

France 3-2 Azerbaijan

Denmark 2-10 Spain

Kazakhstan 1-5 Russia

Moldova 0-15 Portugal

Serbia 4-8 Italy

Saturday fixtures

Lithuania v Switzerland

Poland v Estonia (Broadcast live)

England vs Moldova (Broadcast live)

Greece vs Netherlands (Broadcast live)

Georgia vs Ukraine (Broadcast live)

Belarus vs Serbia (Broadcast live)

Portugal vs Romania (Broadcast live)

Italy vs Turkey (Broadcast live)