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MY BEACH SOCCER 
Sidelined with a severe knee injury, the Russian goalkeeper is focusing on coming back stronger.
One of the notable absentees in the recently concluded Euro Beach Soccer League stage in Moscow was Russian goalkeeper, Andriy Bukhlitskiy, who is currently out of action with a severe knee injury.
Bukhlitskiy sustained the blow a couple of months ago and looks set to miss the entire 2016 season but, while he was missed on the sand, he made his presence felt as part of the Russian national team’s party.
The stopper supported his teammates in the opening stage of the continental competition as they picked up wins over Poland and France to sit second in Division A, Group One, ahead of the competition’s visit Sanxenxo, Spain this week.
The goalkeeper acknowledged how tough it was to watch from the stands, and miss out on playing in front of a passionate home crowd, but ‘Bukha’ is keen to make the most of a bad situation and use his enforced absence for self-improvement.
As someone who prides himself on professionalism, Bukhlitskiy is keen to watch, learn and ultimately improve in order to become a better player on his return to fitness.
“It is tough to be out, but now it is the time for me to take things easy,” he told Beach Soccer Worldwide in Moscow.
“I have to focus on my recuperation and it is a tough job. I have to work a lot.
“It is the moment for me to watch beach soccer and learn from what I see, which is also something very important.”
In many ways, the unfortunate injury will offer a chance for reflection he may not have had otherwise and, given his competitive spirit and sportsmanship, Bukha will no doubt be back sooner than expected, and stronger than ever.
