Portugal secure top spot, whilst Belarus and Italy also advance
Action continued in Alghero after an exciting opening day at the Euro Beach Soccer League – Superfinal…
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Group A
Belarus win again
Belarus win 7-2 against Greece.
After their convincing 9-1 victory in their opening match, Belarus were looking to achieve two wins from two as they faced Greece who were beaten by hosts, Italy on day one.
The first period produced five goals, as Belarus led the match 3-2 after 12 minutes played in Alghero. Chaikouski put the Belarusians in front, but Greece struck back soon after through Mikelatos. Hapon and Bryshtsel then gave Belarus a two-goal advantage, as Katsoulis brought one back for the Greeks.
Bokach and Hapon extended Belarus’ lead in the second period, without a response from their opponents.
Belarus had their sixth and seventh in the final period, as Skourtas turned the ball into his own net and Bryshtsel achieved his brace, giving Belarus their second win of the competition with a 7-2 win.
Italy put on a great show once again
Italy defeat Moldova 8-2.
Italy took all three points in their Euro Beach Soccer League – Superfinal opener, as they faced Moldova in Group A.
Goalkeeper, Casapieri gave the Italians the lead in the first period of the match, giving his a 1-0 lead heading into the second period.
The hosts found another three goals in the second phase of play, through strikes from Fazzini, Giordani and Remedi. Moldova also hit the back of the net in the period from Ignat, with his nation needing three goals in the final 12 minutes to take the fixture to extra-time.
The Azzurri didn’t allow any pressure get to them in the final period, slamming the ball home another four times, courtesy of a Zurlo brace and finishes from Bertacca and Genovali.
Group B
Points on the board for Romania
Romania beat Azerbaijan 4-2.
To get Group B started on the second day of Division A, Azerbaijan looked to secure back to back victories after their penalties victory on the opening day, with Romania wanting to bounce back after losing to Switzerland in their first match.
Sabir continued his goalscoring form from the opening day, as he broke the deadlock in the first period for Azerbaijan, making it his third of the tournament. Despite this, Romania turned the game on its head with five minutes remaining in the period, as Marian found the back of the net twice in just over two minutes, to give his side a 2-1 lead at the end of the first 12 minutes.
The advantage was increased to two for the Romanians in the second period as Andrescu’s strike proved to be the only goal of the period.
Three minutes into the third and final period, Ionut hit the target to make the score 4-1, as Orkhan scored for the Azerbaijanis, but Romania had done enough to secure their first win at the Euro Beach Soccer League 2023.
Türkiye bounce back
Türkiye defeat Switzerland 7-4.
After scoring eight goals in their opening fixture victory, Switzerland next faced Türkiye in Group B.
Türkiye took the lead inside two minutes through Volkan, as Ott scored for Switzerland once again, this time with a wonderful solo goal to equalise. The Turkish team were firing for the remainder of the first period however, scoring three more times as Semih scored two and Efe Lorenzo got one of his own.
Ott added to his tally in the second period, but minutes later, Volkan got his second of the day and was followed by a goal from Switzerland’s Hodel. The score stood at 5-3 with 12 minutes to play in Sardinia.
Four minutes into the final period, Türkiye had their sixth goal via an own goal from Rodrigues, as Hodel scored his second of the match. With the final whistle moments away, Cem Keskin increased Türkiye’s goal scoring in the match to seven.
Group C
Portugal secure triumph in a dramatic finish
Portugal defeat Estonia 6-5 in extra-time.
The first Group C match of the day, was a match-up between the two victors from the opening day, as Portugal battled it out with Estonia.
The scores were level after the opening period was complete, as Bê Martins and Pintado gave the Portuguese team a two-goal lead, but Estonia leveled up the scoring through Nõmmiko and Munskind.
Pintado scored the only goal of the second period, as Portugal found themselves ahead in the encounter for the second time, taking a one goal advantage into the last period.
Rahnik brought the fixture all square again inside three minutes of the third period, but Ruben Brilhante ensured Portugal went ahead once again. To add to this, there was great drama inside the final 62 seconds, where three goals were scored. Goals from Stüf and Munskind made the score 5-4 to Estonia, but Jordan equalised for Portugal with one second remaining.
In extra-time, Jordan netted the winner for Portugal, displaying great leadership late-on for his team.
Shootout delight for Denmark
Denmark beat France 5-3 on penalties after a 2-2 draw in the match.
After both tasting defeat in their competition openers and looking to bounce back in Group C, France played Denmark.
It took until the second period for either side to make the breakthrough in the fixture and it was France who got the scoring underway, through Barbotti to lead 1-0 with only the third period to play.
Axel Damm was on the mark once again for Denmark, leveling the scoring, before Gharbi sent the French team ahead again. However, all was not lost for the Danes as Dorph took the match to extra-time with a late equaliser.
With no goals coming in the additional three minutes, the outcome was penalties. Denmark won the shootout to secure one point in Group C.
Group D
Baaske’s brace helps Germany to victory
Germany win 4-2 against Poland.
Poland were welcomed by Germany for their first fixture at the Euro Beach Soccer League 2023.
Germany drew first blood, as Baaske struck inside two minutes of the opening period, sending his nation 1-0 after one period played.
Poland started fast in the second period with Bistula making the game level, but Baaske and Mülling would give Germany a two-goal advantage within the final five minutes of the period.
Two goals were shared between the two nations in the final, as Pietrasiak turned the ball into his own net and Jesionowski found Poland’s second of the day.
A first win for Germany as they look to advance out of Group D.
To find out more about the Euro Beach Soccer League 2023 – Superfinal – Alghero, make sure to visit beachsoccer.com!
Due to these results, it has now been confirmed that Portugal have secured first place in Group C, whilst Italy and Belarus have also advanced into the next stage of the Euro Beach Soccer League 2023 – Superfinal.
Results
Group A
Belarus 7-2 Greece
Italy 8-2 Moldova
Group B
Azerbaijan 2-4 Romania
Switzerland 4-7 Türkiye
Group C
Portugal 6-5 Estonia (after extra-time)
France 2-2 Denmark (Denmark win 5-3 on penalties)
Group D
Poland 2-4 Germany
