GRAP, Sesimbra, São Domingos and AD Buarcos book their places in the Euro Winners Challenge second phase
– Four more teams confirm their place in the next round of the Euro Winners Challenge
– AD Buarcos clinch the best second-placed team to reach next phase
– Metzler continues prolific goal-scoring form for Münster
With so many deciders to confirm the teams in the next stage, Matchday 3 was packed full of dramatic Euro Winners action in Nazaré.
Local derby with all to play for
All four teams in Group C stepped on the sand battling for qualification, as GRAP faced Minots de Marseille and a local derby between “Os Nazarenos” and Nazaré 2022 caught the attention of the crowd. Motivated by their support, Nazaré 2022 came back from 2-0 to win 4-2, thanks to a brace from Piló. Their triumph was not enough, though, since they finished level on points with GRAP who beat Minots de Marseille 6-1 and went through with the head-to-head advantage.
GD Chaves and GD Sesimbra went into the third period with a two-goal draw on the scoreboard and all to play for as both teams still had the opportunity to qualify for the next round, but Tiago Ferreira’s second goal and Adrian’s finisher settled the match in favour of Sesimbra who secured the first place in the group. A word of praise to Rodrigo who was face-to-face with the goalkeeper to make it 3-2 but noticed an opponent injured and stopped the game.
Suffering until the final whistle
One of the most exciting clashes of the day was played between São Domingos and Sótão “B” with two points separating both teams before the match and the first place in discussion. São Domingos scored a goal in each of the two first periods through Leitão and Machuqueiro to take a lead that they would hold on to, even though Limpinho still gave some hope to the local team with a screamer with 48 seconds to go.
Kefallina and Casa Benfica Viseu couldn’t break the deadlock before the third period, and even though the Greeks managed to reach a two-goals advantage, Patrick’s brace equalised for the Portuguese who would only lose on penalties.
With their eyes set on the second place and possible qualification, AD Buarcos 2017 were led by inspired Augusto who scored a poke against Vila Flor, and their 11-3 win proved to be enough for them to go through as the best second placed team.
Real Münster confirmed their intentions with a 13-3 win against Newteam Legends. Oba and Metzler were in particularly inspired form, scoring four goals each.
Goals galore not enough for best second-placed
Belenenses were also aiming for a qualification possibility as best second-placed team and their offensive production was particularly effective. Dicão and Medina both scored hat-tricks against Alfarim in a match that finished 10-6, a result that didn’t allow the Portuguese team to move on in the competition.
Napoli Patron stepped on the sand already qualified against FC Vion and both teams put on a good show with Taku scoring the winner with less than 80 seconds to go.
Boucenna gave Toulon the lead in the first period, but a brace from Madjer’s son Bernardo and a goal by Loïc Brichart turned the game around for FC Genappe but the result was too short for them to qualify.
Varzim had qualification already assured but they didn’t falter and cruised past CCD Porto Mendo with a 10-2 win, finishing the group stage with three wins.
Casa do Benfica Loures “B” beat Casa do Benfica Caldas da Rainha 5-3 and finished second in Group B behind Rosh Haayin.
Watch all of the action live on Recast.
RESULTS (Day 3)
Group A
Napoli Patron APS (GRE) 5-4 FC Vion (SVK)
GD Alfarim (POR) 6-10 CF Os Belenenses (POR)
Group B
CB Caldas Da Rainha (POR) 3-5 Casa Benfica Loures “B” (POR)
Rosh Haayin BSC (ISR) 3-0 LSA Perwez (BEL)
Group C
GRAP (POR) 6-1 Minots De Marseille (FRA)
GD OS Nazarenos (POR) 2-4 AD “Nazaré 2022” (POR)
Group D
Real Munster E.V (GER) 13-3 Newteam Legends (BEL)
AD Buarcos 2017 (POR) 11-3 Vila Flor SC (POR)
Group E
GD Sesimbra (POR) 2-4 GD Chaves (POR)
CS Djoker (MDA) 0-3 Etoile Brainoise (BEL)
Group F
FC Genappe ASBL (BEL) 3-1 Toulon Beach Soccer (FRA)
Varzim (POR) 10-2 CCD Portomendo (POR)
Group G
A.O. Kefallinia (GRE) 2(4)-(3)2 Casa Do Benfica Viseu (POR)
O Sotao “B” (POR) v São Domingos (POR)
For full details on the Euro Winners Challenge, including groups, fixtures, results and standings, head to beachsoccer.com.