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MY BEACH SOCCER 
Valencia, Boca Juniors, Lokomotiv Moscow, and Flamengo all win to make for exciting final day in Barcelona
Valencia to play for 5th thanks to win
The 3-2 win for Valencia CF over Levante UD was a thrilling nail-biter that was not decided until the final minutes, but even then, it was always in doubt with only one goal separating the sides. Levante were the early aggressors and were in the lead or tied for the majority of the match, but the first lead for Valencia came in the final minutes of the final period, on the goal of the match, from Valencia star, Miguel. The win puts Valencia in the 5th place match on Sunday at 13:15. The loss was not one that any team wants to see, ever. Levante held the lead and were in control for most of the match, but in the end they could not close out the Valencianos. The loss puts Levante in the 7th place match to be played on Sunday at noon.
Seeing the teams try and spread out the defenses early in the opening period was a thing of beauty, and even more amazing was the functionality of the game plans. Both teams scored early as the back lines were forced to mark different players and shift out, further from the goal and center of the pitch. The open play led to two quick goals, one from each side, barely a minute apart, the first from Ivan of Levante but Miguel of Valencia quickly responded to tie the score at 1-1 going into the final minutes of the first frame. The second frame saw the teams employ the same tactics but the goals did not come early like they did in the first 12 minutes. The two squads exchanged field position, going back-and-forth, but not finding gold, in the form of a goal. At almost exactly the midway point in the match, Miralles of Levante changed the way the match was headed and scored his teams’ second goal, leaving the score at 2-1 heading into the final minutes of the period. The score stood still for the remainder of the period, though Levante held the momentum and the lead at 2-1 going into the final period.
The final frame started just how Valencia wanted and needed, with a fast goal, the equalizer, on a strike from Alonso in the opening minute. The score was steady, at 2-all going into the middle of the frame, though the last goal had given Valencia confidence and they looked like the team more likely to score next and the way the match was being played, that could be the deciding goal. The tension built and built as the two Spanish clubs remained tied at two going into the final minutes of the match. The pressure was relieved as Miguel scored his second of the match, on a beautiful bicycle kick in front of the goal. The goal could not have come at a better time and it put Valencia in the lead at 3-2. That goal would prove to ve enough and the match finished with Valencia up 3-2.
Goals: 0-1: Ivan, min. 9 (1); 1-1: Miguel, min. 8 (1); 1-2: Miralles, min. 6 (2); 2-2: Alonso, min. 11 (3); 3-2: Miguel, min. 2 (3).
Penalties and comeback sends Boca to 5th place match
The 5(3)-5(2) penalties win for Boca began how they would have wanted, earning an early advantage, only to see it disappear over the course of two periods, before they answered, and in a big way, to take the late lead, which looked to be enough to win, but in the final seconds or regulation, Bate Borisov showed their mental fortidude and scored the equalizer. However, even overtime could not determine a winner and the match went into penalties. The shootout win puts Boca into the 5th place match on Sunday against fellow day 2 winners, Valencia CF. Bate Borisov will ve disappointed two lose this match after leading big but they will still have a chance to delight there fans and play for their first win, on Sunday against Levante UD in the 7th place match.
Boca Juniors may have felt hard-done by their opening match loss so they made sure to turn up the pressure against Bate Borisov and the attacking worked to perfection at they Argentine club scored first, in the opening minutes of the match, however the Belarusian side netted the second goal, midway through the period on a direct kick from scoring veteran, Bryshtsel. The score sat at 1-1 for the remainder of the period as the team went into the first break tied at 1-1. Top-quality play along with a great crowd atmosphere fueled the action in the middle frame, though it was Boca Juniors who were asking most of the questions, with a scattered number of excellent chances from Bate, but the score did not shift as the game headed into the heart of the frame. Bate was able to find the tie breaking goal and took the 2-1 lead, their first advantage of the match, and they clung tightly to that one goal difference, and were playing steady and swarming defense to prevent the equalizer. Bate Borisov found their true championship form and scored twice more to take a 4-1 lead into the final period.
The Argentineans could not get on the board in the middle period but that offensive silence quickly turned around and changed the ambience in the stadium as Boca score in the opening minute, on a goal from Costas, the out their deficit at only two goals, making the score 4-2 for the Belarus club. The South American club were far from finished, the fat lady had not sung yet and they scored again, this time on a wonderful strike from Leguizamon. The comeback became official on a shot on a direct kick that looked impossible but Novo did the impossible and got his teams’ fourth goal, and his first on the day, tying the game 4-4 in the last minutes of the game. Novo continued the magical run and scored on another kick from distance that put his side up 5-4 with just over a minute left. With less than a second left, Bate Borisov scored the unbelievable equalizer, sending the match into overtime. The extra frame could not determine a victor and the game went into penalties.
Goals: 0-1: Damian, min. 10 (1); 1-1: Bryhstsel, min. 6 (1); 2-1: Heiduk, min. 7 (2); 3-1: Olli, min. 3 (2); 4-1: Mira, min. 0 (2); 4-2: Costas, min. 11 (3); 4-3: Leguizamon, min. 4 (3); 4-4: Novo, min. 2 (3); 4-5: Novo, min. 1 (3); 5-5: Olli, min. 0 (3).
Penalties: Novo, goal; Bryshtsel, goal; Levi, goal; Mira, goal; Costas, goal; Olli, saved.
Lokomotiv Moscow very efficient in advancing to final
The 7-4 win for FC Lokomotiv Moscow over FC Barcelona, saw the Russians in the drivers seat for much of the match but Barça was always biting at their heels. Moscow started very fast before Barcelona found their scoring touch. Lokomotiv then stopped all Barça momentum with timely and clutch goals. Barcelona got ti within one and two goals on multiple occasions, but they could not draw even or go ahead. The Russian club deftly finished off Barça and now they have earned to right to play in the final of this first ever Barcelona Beach Soccer Cup. The final will be on Sunday at 15:45. Barcelona thrilled their fans with goals and great saves but they could not do enough to win and they will be playing for 3rd place on Sunday.
The Russia club started a determined march to the finals as they began the match firing, scoring thrice in the first period, and all before the final minutes of the frame. FC Barcelona responded with the first goal of the day from their local Catalan star, llorenç. The two sides did their best to get more goals, but the defenses each respectively did their jobs admirably for the rest of the period and the opening 12 minutes ended with the guests up 3-1. Barça always packs a punch and they began the second period by showing their pure strength and ability, using a strike from Antonio to pull back to within one goal at 3-2, with less than a minute gone in the second period. The Russian club had their own weapons as they add another goal to push the lead back to two goals at 4-2. The play steadied but it was the hosts who got the next goal, with a beautiful shot from the Swiss National Selection player, Ott, making the score 4-3 for Moscow. The remainder of the period was played to a draw and calmly came to a close with Lokomotiv still holding the 4-3 lead.
FC Lokomitiv know how to close games out and eliminate almost any opponent as they are so experienced and versed in championships. The veteran leadership led to two quick goals from Fernando and Peremitin, putting the score at 6-3 going into the heart of the period. The Catalan giant club have championship pedigree themselves and they stayed strong and even looked to be controlling the battle for possession but the eye-test was not enough as they were still losing by three goals as the game went into overtime. Spectacular passing, amazing shots, but near misses were what Barça was doing and dealing with as the match had the same score but was heading into the do-or-die final minutes of the third period. Hoping to inspire his team, Llorenç scored his second of the day getting Barcelona back to a two goal deficit at 4-6 but the third goal of the day for Peremitin, in the same minute gave the Russian club a safety cushion, which would be plenty to secure the 7-4 win.
Goals: 0-1: Leonov, min. 11 (1); 0-2: Daneil, min. 7 (1); 0-3: Leonov, min. 6 (1); 1-3: Bruno Xavier, min. 5 (1); 2-3: Antonio, min. 11 (2); 2-4: Makarov, min. 7 (2); 3-4: Ott, min. 1 (2); 3-5: Fernando, min. 10 (3); 3-6: Peremitin, min. 9 (3); 4-6: Llorenç, min. 4 (3); 4-7: Peremitin, min. 4 (3).
Quick start and defense puts Flamengo in final
The 7-2 win for CR Flamengo over Sporting Clube de Portugal was thorough and frightening for their finals opponent. The display of team work and passing was reminiscent of Brazil’s national team. Flamengo picked apart the Sporting defense and were able to build a lead that could withstand any offensive powerhouse. The Lisbon based club did score first but then Flamengo rattled of a string of goals that broke the spirt of Portuguese club. Flamengo has earned the right to play FC Lokomotiv Moscow in the final on Sunday. The 3rd place match is a good consolation prize for Sporting, even though they expected to be in the final. They will play on Sunday against the hosts, FC Barcelona.
Action started quick and did not let up in the first period though it was the Motherland, the team from Lisbon who scored the first goal, on a strike from Jordan, to go up 1-0, but the former Portuguese territory showed their mental toughness by scoring the next two goals, taking a 2-1 lead into the first break. The second period was an early bate for control, the score was still tight and more goals were needed for both sides to either feel comfortable, more in the case of Flamengo, or to take the lead again, as was on the mind of the Portugal club. The next, all-important goal, went to the Brazilian Club as they took a 3-1 lead late into eh middle frame. Both squads were putting forth their best efforts but Sporting could not inch closer although they pressing matters and saw the better looks at goal, until a late dangerous direct kick was awarded to CR Flamengo’s Andre, who nearly gave his side a commanding 4-1 advantage, but it was not destined for the back of the net and the score remained 3-1 for the Brazilians going into the final period.
There was no quit from either side and the belief that they both could and can this prestigious Cup, but it was the Brazilian side that was doing all the heavy work in the opening minutes of the final frame. Flamengo scored again, and it it seemed like they were drawing on the energy they were sapping from the Portuguese club, and the goals were becoming more and more spectacular and from long ranges. The confidence they were getting from scoring was being translated into a comfort level that allowed them to take shots from where ever on the pitc they wanted. Sporting got an early goal from their own legend, Madjer, but less than a minute after that goal, Flamengo scored to snuff out any hope of comeback. The Flamengo side would add more goals, to put the final score at 7-2, when the last whistle had sounded.
Goals: 0-1: Jordan, min.10 (1); 1-1: Leo, min. 8 (1); 2-1: Dmais, min. 2 (1); 3-1: Gabriel, min. 7 (2): 3-2: Madjer, min. 10 (3); 4-2: Andre, min. 10 (3); 5-2: Digogama, min. 8 (3); 6-2: Bernardo, min. 6 (3); 7-2: Bernardo, min. 1 (3).
BARCELONA BEACH SOCCER CUP 2015
Results Today:
Saturday 02.05.15
11:00 – Valencia 3-2 CF Levante UD
12:15 – Bate Borisov 5(2)-5(3) CA Boca Juniors
13:30 – FC Barcelona 4-7 FC Lokomotiv Moscow
14:45 – CR Flamengo 7-2 Sporting Clube de Portugal
Upcoming Matches:
Sunday 03.05.15
12:00 – Levante UD vs Bate Borisov (7th Place Match)
13:15 – Valencia CF vs CA Boca Juniors (5th Place Match)
14:30 – FC Barcelona vs Sporting Clube de Portugal (3rd Place Match)
15:45 – FC Lokomotiv Moscow vs CR Flamengo (Final)
