STORE 
MY BEACH SOCCER 
La Roja took second with a victory over the United States on the last day
Brazil are the winners of the first-ever edition of the Women’s Intercontinental Beach Soccer Cup!
Hosts Russia beat the champions in their final match but the Canarinho took the prize at the Luzhniki Park in Moscow nonetheless.
Spain finished second after defeating the USA, who finished fourth, by four goals to two.
Brazil’s Barbara Colodetti was named tournament MVP, while the host’s keeper Anna Akylbaeva won the award for Best Goalkeeper. Anna Cherniakova, after netting her fourth goal in the final match, took the Top Scorer award.
Russia 4-1 Brazil
The maiden edition of the Women’s Intercontinental Cup was already heading back to Brazil, but in one last bout for points, the champions went up against their hosts…
Russia soon had the home crowd on their feet though when Anna Akylbaeva, the tournament’s Best Goalkeeper, sent a rocket at her opposite number who was unable to keep out the game’s first goal.
Zubilova doubled the Russian lead with a freekick before the break, but at the match’s midway point, Brazil finally struck as Lele Villar swerved through the Russian defence and slotted home.
Bazhanova leapt high to nod in number three for Russia, and then Cherniakova got her nose ahead in the race for Top Scorer with a brilliant run and calm finish, taking her tournament tally to four.
Brazil had no reply to this final blow, but when the whistle went their slightly dampened celebrations began, as they we presented with the trophy and Barbara Colodetti was awared the event’s MVP award..
An historic title for the Verde-Amarela, a solid performance from Russia on home sand (as well as two of the three Individual Awards) and overall, a hugely successful start to the story of the Women’s Intercontinental Beach Soccer Cup.
Goals: 1-0: Akylbaeva, min. 3 (1); 2-0: Zubilova, min. 0 (1); 2-1: Lele Villar, min. 6 (2); 3-1: Bazhanova, min. 5 (2); 4-1: Cherniakova, min. 2 (2);
Spain 4-2 USA
With the Intercontinental title already in Brazilian hands, Spain’s best hope was for second place, but they could be beaten to it by the Americans, who were looking for their first points in Russia on Sunday.
Spain captain Andrea Miron scored the first goal just two minutes from the break, and keeper Laura rifled number two in off the bar moments later. Barquero powered home number three but Lauren Leslie turned in from close range to cut the deficit to two.
Rebecca Staylor’s debut goal for the Stars & Stripes made it 3-2 and it looked like a goal of the game contender until Andrea Miron struck again, firing into the top corner from distance.
The current European champions controlled the flow of their final match for the remaining three minutes to claim second place at the maiden edition of the Women’s Intercontinental Cup.
USA may have narrowly lost their games in Moscow, but showed three of the world’s top sides that they are now among the beach soccer elite.
Goals: 1-0: Andrea Miron, min. 2 (1); 2-0: Laura, min. 1 (1); 3-0: Barquero, min. 9 (2); 3-1: Leslie, min. 7 (2); 3-2: Staylor, min. 5 (3); 4-2: Andrea Miron, min. 3 (3);
RESULTS
Friday 13 August
18:00 – Spain 2-3 Brazil
19:30 – Russia 2-1 USA *AET
Saturday 14 August
18:00 – Brazil 5-3 USA
19:30 – Russia 3-4 Spain
Sunday 15 August
18:00 – Spain 4-2 USA
19:30 – Russia 4-1 Brazil
FINAL STANDINGS
Champions – Brazil
2nd – Spain
3rd – Russia
4th – USA
INDIVIDUAL AWARDS
MVP – Barbara Colodetti (BRA)
Top Scorer – Anna Cherniakova (RUS)
Best Goalkeeper – Anna Akylbaeva (RUS)
