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MY BEACH SOCCER 
… and Czech Republic snatches the Promotion Final berth after edgeing hosts Germany in the last game of the tournament
The Euro Beach Soccer League – Berlin 2011 stage cup flew to Russian hands, after a breath-taking final which offered the best of Beach Soccer: ten amazing goals, a great atmosphere, and two of the best teams in the world battling for a cup which only had a rather clear owner at the end of the match.
Fielding an amusing fitness, Russia began putting into siege Graça’s goal, with two shots in the first seconds of the game top ut the Portuguese goalie into serious difficulties. After those overwhelming first minutes, Portugal regained their breath and looked to Bukhlitskiy’s end. Madjer could have opened the score when being conceded a penalty kick, but the excellent Russian goalkeeper guessed his aim and prevented the captain to sweep ahead the current champions. Just a couple of minutes afterwards, instead, Krasheninnikov managed the opener for his side to get to first break ahead on the score.
This is exactly the scenario no team wants to be thrown at: if Russia gets ahead, it gets really difficult to block their march to the triumph. But if there’s a team capable of doing so, this is magic-packed Portugal, with players capable of doing real harm at any moment. It is not only Madjer or Belchior, but any other. Coimbra was this time the one to voice that the Lusitanians are an all-round team full of resources, and thanks to a wide-range attempt managed the equalizer in front of the 2000 people witnessing one of the best possible battles in this sport. And that was not the end of the work done by the unsuspected hero numbered 2, as some minutes afterwards he himself drove a strong race to reach the ball and sent it out of Bukhlitskiy’s reach for the turn-around completion.
Portugal was in the right vibe, and Ze Miguel’s lads willed not to leave the chance to get a higher advantage. When the last minute of that second leg was inching to the horn, the red side built a brilliant collective move, back-heel pass by Madjer included, for Bruno Novo to finish and raise the 3-1. Russia got then back on duty with the beginning of the third period, with Eremeev cutting the distance. But current title-holders were feeling strong, and Madjer restored the 2-goal gap.
But in that frenetic first minutes of the last period, the Russians confirmed they were not to give up regardless the distance to climb. Shishin was the man to carry that flag. Russia’s 6 not only balanced the score in just 90 seconds, but with two new goals got the cup to Russian hands.
Goals: 0-1: Krash, min. 1 (1); 1-1: Coimbra, min. 6 (2); 2-1: Coimbra, min. 4 (2); 3-1: Bruno Novo, min. 0 (2); 3-2: Eremeev, min. 9 (3); 4-2: Madjer, min. 8 (3); 4-3: Shishin, min. 8 (3); 4-4: Shishin, min. 6 (3); 4-5: Shishin, min. 2 (3); 4-6: Shishin, min. 0 (3)
Romania secures top-flight points
Romania left Turkey with no chance of points in their Division A debut, securing at the same time they will be a Division A team next season, as the Ottoman will not be able to equalize the three points already at Romanian hands. It cannot be said that it is a fair ending for Turkey, as they have shown really good thing in thei matches this season. But the highest-level beach soccer is fiercely competitive, and you need to be really tough to edge the great teams involved in the competition.
Turkey determinedly sought their opponent’s goal in the first minutes, acknowledging that this match against Romania was the last chance to skip having to fight for their top-flight berth in next month’s Promotion Final in Moscow (August, 4th-7th). They targeted it, and were quite successful in their quest, as Ayhan achieved the opener for the Ottoman with just one minute gone. Only the posts prevented Turkey for a wider advantage in an inspired first period for Adil’s lads.
Romania reacted after the break, indeed, in the very first move, when Croi leveled things with the 1-1. Turkey did not want to let their chance go, and Tamer immediately replied to recover the advantage for his side. The Carpathians had stepped back onto the game, and they had done it for good. Boata and Maci turned the score around and kept with the stroke exchange which led to the 5-4 by the Romanian target man, one of the best players in Europe. Although Turkey kept trying, the Romanian defense sent all balls out to snatch their first three points in the season, with which they assure they will not face relegation this season. Now is the moment to look for higher things for Maci, the Postes, and co.
Goals: 0-1: Ayhan, min. 10 (1); 1-1: Croi, min. 11 (2); 1-2: Tamer, min. 11 (2) ; 2-2 : Boata, min. 9 (2) ; 3-2 : Maci, min. 8 (2); 3-3: Erhan, min. 5 (2); 4-3: I. Poste, min. 9 (3); 4-4: Erhan, min. 9 (3); 5-4: Maci, min. 8 (3)
Czech Republic snatches the Promotion Final berth
Germany saw the Cup fly to Czech Republic in the last match of the Euro Beach Soccer League stage they were hosting in Berlin. After being surprised in the first period, the Mannschaft found it difficult to cope with the game, as they never managed to get ahead, and remained unable to retain the trophy within its frontiers.
Things began in a hard way for the hosts. Although they had got in control of the game, and were attempting to open the score to give their crowd a deserved joy, they were faced to the Czechs first goal. Dannilo rocketed a ball in for the equalizer, giving the game a new beginning for Germany. But in that new beginning, the Czechs were even tougher, as they got 1-3 ahead in the first minutes of the second period.
Ulle cut that distance a bit, but Mizar poured a last bucket of cold water over the German heads when, right from the corner, sent the ball in, catching Klon and his defenders by surprise, and raising the 4-2 on the score. With 4 minutes to go, the hosts kept trying to launch the comeback, but all their attempts were fruitless. Instead, Czech Republic had the chance to finish the game, with Lukic and Kovarik making it 2-6 to seize the Division B first position. The Czechs, then, will enjoy the chance to fight in the Promotion Final for a place in Division A next season.
Goals: 0-1: Bocek, min. 5 (1) ; 1-1: Dannilo, min. 3 (1); 1-2: Peterik, min. 10 (2); 1-3: Kovarik, min. 7 (2); 2-3: Ulle, min. 6 (2); 2-4: Mizar, min. 4 (3); 2-5: Lukic, min. 1 (2); 1-6: Kovarik, min. 0 (3)
Final standings:
Champion Division A: Russia
Champion Division B: Czech Republic
Individual awards:
Best goalkeeper: Bukhlistkiy (RUSSIA)
Top Scorer: Shishin (RUSSIA)
MVP: Shishin (RUSSIA)
EURO BEACH SOCCER LEAGUE – BERLIN 2011
Friday, 8th July
16.45 – Russia 5-2 Romania
18:00 – Turkey 3-6 Portugal
19:30 – Germany 4-1 Andorra
Saturday, 9th July
15.30 – Czech Republic 4-3 Andorra
16:45 – Portugal 5-4 Romania
18:00 – Russia 7-2 Turkey
Sunday, 10th July
16.30 – Portugal 4-6 Russia
17:45 – Romania 5-4 Turkey
19:45 – Germany 2-6 Czech Republic
