Euro Beach Soccer League reaches third stage in Moscow

The competition will reach the halfway mark in the Russian capital this weekend.

The third normal stage of the Euro Beach Soccer League lands in Moscow, Russia, on Friday as the hosts look to bolster their hopes of a place at the Promotion Final.

Russia finished third at the opening stage of this year’s competition in Belgrade last month but will hope for a repeat of last year’s success in this stage last year as they continue their bid for a fifth Euro Beach Soccer League title.

Mikhail Likhachev’s men come from a third-place finish at the BSWW Mundialito in Cascais last weekend where a more youthful Russia side were beaten by Portugal and Brazil before picking up maximum points against Brazil.

“Now our task is to shake the guys after the journey home so they are in the most appropriate condition for the first match of the stage,” he told Beach Soccer Russia.

“In addition, there are certain tactical questions for the formation of the home stage of the Euro Beach Soccer League. Let’s hope that our efforts will bear fruit in the games in Moscow.”

Russia will face Switzerland and Greece – both of whom are also competing in their second and final normal stage of this year’s event – while Belarus make their first appearance in the 2017 edition with new coach Nicolas ‘Nico’ Alvorade at the helm.

The former Spain international took over last month and has already tasted success in the Friendship Cup 2017.

In Division B, Kazakhstan, Moldova and Turkey will hope to replicate Estonia’s win in Belgrade in their quest to gain promotion to the top division.

All three are making their first appearances at this year’s competition.