STORE 
MY BEACH SOCCER 
Martin Starec’s men edged hosts Austria in the Linz showpiece last weekend.
The Czech Republic successfully defended their Nations Cup title in Linz on Sunday to ensure themselves a fourth overall victory at the competition in Linz.
Following title wins in 2009, 2012 and 2015, Martin Starec’s side saw off The Bahamas 3-2 in the semi-finals thanks to goals from Hurab, Vladyka and Vynhal while Austria came from two goals down to edge Slovakia 3-2.
Cengic, Mair and Cetinyurek completed the comeback for the Austrians and set up a repeat of the 2015 final, which saw the Czechs run out winners on penalties.
There was to be no measure of revenge for Austria this year however, as a strike from Baran in the second period was followed by a Vynhal penalty late on in a keenly contested affair.
Ultimately, the Czechs – who qualified for the Euro Beach Soccer League Promotion Final in Catania last week – maintained their strong recent form while, in the third-place play-off, Bahamas ensured a reasonable start to their six-week training by avoiding bottom spot with a 6-4 win against Slovakia.
Coached by Swiss great Angelo Schirinzi, Bahamas were a late replacement for Norway in the competition as they continue their fledgling beach soccer journey ahead of the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup in the country next year.
Bures enjoyed another strong display but his treble proved in vain as a St Fleur hat-trick, alongside goals from Hanna, Jean and Williams gave Schirinzi’s men a solid platform for their European preparations, ahead of a number of friendlies slated for the coming weeks.
While the coach was disappointed with the loss, saying his team failed to capitalise on important chances, Schirinzi, player-manager of the Swiss Beach Soccer National Team, acknowledged there were some positives to take, notably winning the crucial third-place match and clinching the first-ever win over a European side by the Bahamian team.
But the event once again belonged to the Czech Republic, who saw Chalupa named Best Player while team-mate Petr Visek was voted Best Goalkeeper.
Full results and standings for the Nations Cup 2016, Linz.
