Estonia become first team to reach the Promotion Final

Estonia became the first team to reach the Promotion Final, to take place in Portugal in September, with a win over Czech Republic, topping Group C, and Bulgaria joined the fray with a thrilling 14-goal match against Slovakia.

The Bulgarian number nine, Filipov shot to the top of the scoring charts with his four in a single match, going level with Trampota (Czech Republic) and Kristian Marmor (Estonia).

Elsewhere, it was an historic day for Swedish beach soccer, as the EBSL debutants opened Group B up with their victory over Kazakhstan on the second matchday of the Euro Beach Soccer League Division B Regular Stage in Moldova.

Czech Republic 3-5 Estonia (Group C)

The two teams at the top of Group C went head to head on Day 2 where one would remain undefeated and the other would go gain a crucial advantage.

First blood went to Czech Republic when Vyhnal tucked away a freekick, and star striker Trampota doubled the lead moments later. Ed. Stuf pulled one back for Estonia just a minute before the first whistle.

Er. Stuf, scoring for consecutive games, joined his brother on the scoresheet straight from kick-off of the third period, extending the lead to two goals, but Trampota’s second soon pinned them back once more.

After turning the match around, Estonia hung on stubbornly to their advantage and goalkeeper Rahnik repeated his heroics of the previous day with a superb strike from distance, taking the final score to 5-3.

A second win in the bag for Estonia sees them go into the final group game against Norway unbeaten, with topspot in Group C – and a place in the Promotion Final – already guaranteed.

Goals: 1-0: Vyhnal, min. 9 (1); 2-0: Trampota, min. 4 (1); 2-1: Stuf, min. 1 (1); 2-2: Pekarek (OG), min. 4 (2); 2-3: Marmor, min. 3 (2); 2-4: Er. Stuf, min. 11 (3); 3-4: Trampota, min. 10 (3); 3-5: Rahnik, min. 3 (3);

Kazakhstan 3-5 Sweden (Group B)

A late Makazhanov goal had snatched the points for Kazakhstan in a difficult game yesterday, but today they fell behind early against a debutant Sweden who had lost against Group B rivals Greece.

It was Turesson’s shot that put the men in yellow ahead after just two minutes, and this slim lead remained intact for the rest of the opening period, until the match’s midway point when Demeshko’s low strike bounced off the sand to find the top corner.

Kazakhstan had been relentless in their attacking of the Swedish goal, hitting the posts and bar on numerous occasions, but no sooner were they level than Granberg retook the lead for Sweden.

In the final third, Kazakhstan appeared to show their experience in the EBSL and burst into life as Perevyorotov and Azhikenov slashed the deficit in the first two minutes.

But at 3-3, Sweden surged ahead once more as Lavah hit a long-range, and somewhat fortunate, shot to take the lead, and then Kettler slotted in a one-on-one to wrap up the nation’s first ever win on the international stage.

Goals: 1-0: Turesson, min. 10 (1); 1-1: Demeshko, min. 6 (2); 1-2: Granberg, min. 5 (2); 1-3: Malmstrom, min. 2 (2); 2-3: Perevyorotov, min. 11 (3); 3-3: Azhikenov, min. 10 (3); 3-4: Lavah, min. 7 (3); 3-5: Kettler, min. 0 (3);

Bulgaria 8-6 Slovakia (Group A)

Slovakia went up against hosts Moldova yesterday where they conceded six, and although they managed to score six today, Bulgaria were even more ruthless in front of goal in their first match of the EBSL Moldova.

Two set-pieces saw the score taken to 1-1 within just a minute, when Smalik and Filipov converted dead balls. Kanyai then hit a stunning overhead and Letko slotted in yet another freekick. Grey made it 4-1 to Slovakia minutes later and it looked as if Bulgaria had lost control of the game.

But star number nine, Filip Filipov, was only just getting started, as he netted goals either side of the first whistle to help draw level early in the second period. Merazchiev also scored two in what was an incredible Bulgarian comeback to make it 6-4, but the final period was another close contest.

Grey pulled one back for Slovakia, making it 6-5, until Tuzakov and – that man again – Filipov put the game out of Slovakian reach.

Four for Filipov on Day 2 see Bulgaria edge a 14-goal thriller to go level with their Moldovan hosts.

Goals: 0-1: Smalik, min. 11 (1); 1-1: Filipov, min. 11 (1); 1-2: Kanyai, min. 10 (1); 1-3: Letko, min. 10 (1); 1-4: Grey, min. 6 (1); 2-4: Filipov, min. 6 (1); 3-4: Merazchiev, min. 6 (1); 4-4: Lozanov, min. 8 (2); 5-4: Filipov, min. 4 (2); 6-4: Merazchiev, min. 4 (2); 6-5: Grey, min. 8 (3); 7-5: Tuzakov, min. 5 (3); 8-5: Filipov, min. 2 (3); 8-6: Lipovsky, min. 0 (3);

Romania 4-2 Norway (Group C)

After having lost on Day 1 of the EBSL Moldova, both sides were in need of points in their second matches in Chisinau.

Boata, playing as a keeper, drove deep into the Norwegian half and smashed in the opener with just a minute of the first period left.

The Romanian lead was slim, and as soon as the second period started Norway were back on level terms as Jalland leaped to nod a misplaced backpass into the net. A viscous strike from the Romanian captain Ravi put them ahead once more and then Bolojan turned in from close range to make it 3-1.

Rasch burst down the wing to cut the deficit to just one with a fine finish in the last stretch of play, but Alex arrived first to a loose ball to power it in for a fourth and final goal for the Tricolorii.

As a result of the 4-2 win, Romania go level with Estonia and Czech Republic on points, while Norway remain the only side in Group C yet to register a win.

Goals: 1-0: Boata, min. 1 (1); 1-1: Jalland, min. 10 (2); 2-1: Ravi, min. 4 (2); 3-1: Bolojan, min. 1 (2); 3-2: Rasch, min. 6 (3); 4-2: Alex, min. 5 (3);

Greece 1-3 Lithuania (Group B)

Following Sweden’s victory over Kazakhstan earlier in the day, a Lithuanian win against Greece would see each team sitting on three points after Day 2.

However, goals were in short supply in the final match on Day 2 of the Euro Beach Soccer League Moldova, as the goalkeepers were the main protagonists in the opening two periods, pulling off save after save.

This, combined with a lack of clinical finishing saw the scoreboard remain at 0-0 until deep into the third period – a real rarity in beach soccer!

The breakthrough finally came though, and it was a man in yellow who found it when Giedraitis hit a low shot to nose Lithuania ahead. Two minutes later Lebedev headed home from close range to make it two.

The goal of the game award went, without a doubt, to Greek captain Triantafyllidis, who fired into the top corner from his own penalty area, only to see the two-goal cushion restored for Lithuania with Lebedev’s second of the match.

Sahib Mammadov’s men took their first victory in Moldova, meaning that each team in Group B now has three points – you don’t want to tomorrow’s matches!

Goals: 0-1: Giedraitis, min. 7 (3); 0-2: Lebedev, min. 5 (3); 1-2: Triantafyllidis, min. 2 (3); 1-3: Lebedev, min. 2 (3);

For full details on the Euro Beach Soccer League Moldova, including standings, fixtures, stats and results, head to beachsoccer.com.