Kristall-Lokomotiv Moscow and Vybor-Catania will decide the finalists of this Euro Winners Cup this same evening
BSC Kristall looks ready for semis and beyond after win
The 9-1 win for BSC Kristall over Goldwin Plus Bodon FC was packed with pressure on offense and defense, mainly from Kristall but a late charge from the Hungarian squad, when coupled with physical play, almost brought enough life back into Goldwin, however it did not. If you thought that Kristall had a bad match at any point in the tournament thus far, then they began this match out to prove everyone wrong. The defending champions had still won every match but the opening of the match against Goldwin Pluss was a piece of art, on both sides of the ball, the Russian club was precise on offense, strategic, and shut-down on defense as the first period ended with Kristall up 2-0. Chances were getting closer and closer for the Hungarian club but as is the case so often in beach soccer, the tides turned quickly and a near goal on a bicycle kick from Goldwin led to a change in field and Llorenç nailed home a shot to give the Russian club a 3-0 lead early in the middle frame. The two clubs played the remainder trying to push each other around, but it was the Euro Winners Cup defending champions, Kristall that scored next, give them a 4-0 advantage going into the final break. Goldwin Pluss normally has no trouble scoring, as their list of international stars goes on and on, but it was not until early in the final period when Ughy scored the first, putting the score at 4-1, still for Kristall. The comeback was snuffed out shortly after, as Kristall did not let up and when the final buzzer sounded the score sat comfortably at 9-1 for Kristall.
Goals: 1-0: Romanov, min. 11 (1); 2-0: Paporotnyi, min. 3 (1); 3-0: Llorenç, min 7 (2); 4-0: Datinha, min. 0 (2); 4-1: Ughy, min. 8 (3); 5-1: Datinha, min. 8 (3); 6-1: Krash, min. 7 (3); 7-1: Shishin, min. 6 (3); 8-1: Shishin, min. 5 (3); 9-1: Datinha, min. 4 (3).
Lokomotiv wins to set up clash with Kristall in semis
The 5-2 win for BSC Lokomotiv Moscow over KP Lodz was surgical, like the Russian club is know to do. The Russian club used teamwork, passing, and excellent vision for both in route to scoring and nearly shutting out the Polish side. Fellow Russian club BSC Kristall won the first quarterfinal match of the day and if Lokomotiv could find a way to win, they knew an intense semifinal rivalry match loomed. With that in mind, BSC Lokmotiv started fast, scoring two goals in under two minutes, leaving KP Lodz in a two-goal hole. The Polish club was trying to get back into the match but they could not find enough open space until a direct kick on the Lokomotiv half have Lodz a solid chance, which they capitalized on, to put the score at 3-1 for the Russian club going into the first break. KP Lodz did not stop attacking and saw better chances open up, although they were unable to make the most of the early chances in the middle frame and just like Lokomotiv nearly always does, they make the opposition pay. The Russian club added another goal late in the frame to take a 4-1 lead into the final break. The last frame saw Lodz score on one of the worlds’ best keepers, Bukhlitskiy, but the late goal would not be enough, as Lokomotiv also scored, and when the final whistle blew, the score was 5-2 for the Russian squad.
Goals: 1-0: Shaykov, min. 10 (1); 2-0: Leonov, min. 10 (1); 3-0: Leonov, min. 6 (1); 3-1: Klepczarek, min. 4 (1); 4-1: Borsuk, min. 3 (2); 5-1: Leonov, min. 2 (3); 5-2: Sobalczyk, min. 1 (3).
Vybor avoids epic collapse as they advance to semis
The 9-7 win for FC Vybor over SC Braga took everything out of both teams, as Vybor, the Ukrainian club, jumped on top 4-1, 6-1, and 7-2 before the Portuguese club stormed back and tying matters at 7, only to see Vybor come up big in the final minutes to secure their spot in the next round. Pressure mounts after each stage and in the Euro Winners Cup it is intensified, as there are so many good teams to fight through. Having made it through the first knockout round, both sides need to relieve the stress by scoring a quick goal, to let the nerves go. The first team to do that and look very relaxed was Vybor as they netted two quick goals from Stankovic to take the 2-0 lead over SC Braga. The Ukrainian side doubled their advantage before the opening 12 minutes wound down, and the score at the break was 4-0 for Vybor. The Portuguese club got off the board early in the second period but not before Vybor scored again. The Ukrainian top club then restored their five goal lead, 6-1, after a strike just past the midway point in the match. The sides exchanged late goals and FC Vybor was in control heading into the final period, up 7-2. The Portuguese club had a tough road back to the lead but they started the final period with a quick strike on a direct kick from Ze Maria, his second on the day, which put the score at 7-3. Braga was officially on the comeback trail when they scored one goal in each of the opening four minutes of the last period, and drawing them to within one goal, at 7-6. If you thought five goal comebacks in one period were not possible in beach soccer, you would be wrong, as Braga used a goal from Ramacciotti to score the equalizer, just past the midway point of the final frame. Vybor was not quite done and they spectacularly scored their 8th goal, on a rocket from Ryabko, late in the match. The lone goal for Ryabko proved to be the difference maker and FC Vybor hung on for the 9-7 win after an insurance goal from Bryshtsel.
Goals: 1-0: Stankovic, min. 8 (1); 2-0: Stankovic, min. 7 (1); 3-0: Stankovic, min. 3 (1); 4-0: Andrieiev, min. 0 (1); 5-0: Andrieiev, min. 10 (2); 5-1: Be Martines, min. 7 (2); 6-1: Korniichuk, min. 5 (2); 6-2: Ze Maria, min. 3 (2); 7-2: Brishtel, min. 1 (2); 7-3: Ze Maria, min. 11 (3); 7-4: Be Martins, min. 10 (3); 7-5: Fernando DDI, min. 9 (3); 7-6: Be Martins, min. 8 (3); 7-7: Ramacciotti, min. 5 (3); 8-7: Ryabko, min. 3 (3); 9-7: Brishtel, min, 0 (3).
Catania last to qualify for semifinals after tight win
The 3-2 win for DomusBet BS Catania over Amrahbank was the fourth quarterfinal match of the day and it was one of the best. There was defense to go along with timely goals and an amazing ambiance, with the host team delighting their fans with the victory. The energy in the stadium was through the metaphorical roof but in the opening minute, Amrahbank scored the matches’ first goal, which took the wind out of the sails for the local Catania supporters. The focus was back shortly after that first goal, as DomusBet BS Catania rattled off three straight to help forget the 1-0 deficit they faced to open the match. That hole was quickly filled with three straight goals from Catania and the match went into the second period with the hosts up 3-1. Things were far from over and the Azerbaijani club started the middle frame on the attack, nearly scoring multiple goals, however the first goal came on a penalty kick for Amrahbank which cut into the Catania lead and put the score at 3-2. Although there were no more goals in the frame, the teams were not playing it safe and they were doing everything to pile on the goals. Starting the final period, the score was 3-2 for Catania. Neither team was willing to give an inch and the final period had an amazing array of saves and shots clank off the frame of the goal but the two scrappy teams did not score a goal and the match ended with the local DomusBet BS Catania team up3-2.
Goals: 0-1: Abdul, min. 11 (1); 1-1: Gabriel, min. 9 (1); 2-1: Fred, min. 6 (1); 3-1: Fred, min. 6 (1); 3-2: Asif, min. 8 (2).
EURO WINNERS CUP 2015
Results Today:
Saturday 06.06.15
09:30 – BSC Kristall 9-1 Goldwin Pluss Bodon FC (Quarterfinal)
10:45 – FC Lokomotiv 5-2 KP Lodz (Quarterfinal)
12:00 – FC Vybor 9-7 SC Braga (Quarterfinal)
13:15 – DomusBet BS Catania 3-2 Amrahbank (Quarterfinal)
Upcoming Matches:
18:15 – BSC Kristall vs Lokomotiv Moscow (Semifinal)
18:15 – Goldwin Pluss Bodon 3 vs KP Lodz (Consolation Semifinal)
19:30 – FC Vybor vs DomusBet BS Catania (Semifinal)
19:30 – SC Braga vs Amrahbank (Consolation Semifinal)