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Six teams qualify for the quarter-finals in Nazaré
The second day of the Euro Winners Challenge took place on Saturday as teams fought to qualify for the quarter-finals in Nazaré…
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Group A
A Triantafyllidis brace helps AO Kefallinia to first win
After defeat for both sides on day one, each of the sides were eager to get some points on the board in Group A, as AO Kefallinia took on Miehet.
The Finns got of to a flyer as, Ketonen’s ricocheted pass across the box resulted in the opener inside the first minute of the first period. The Greeks replied quickly with a goal from Triantafyllidis to level the scoring in Nazaré. However, after a goal line scramble, Särkiniemi managed to find a section of space and slotted home into an open net.
Triantafyllidis scored the only goal of the second period as he brought Kefallinia level once again with a great goal, securing his brace for the day and his team’s second of the morning.
Goals followed for both sides in the final period, but a late goal for the Greeks sealed the win in an extremely competitive Group B encounter and was a huge triumph for AO Kefallinia as they attained their first three points of this year’s Euro Winners Challenge.
Vila Flor book their place in the knockouts
Both AD Buarcos 2017 and Vila Flor SC won their games in the first set of matches and each knew a win could have vital implications on the way in which qualification from Group A played out. The momentum was in the hands of Vila Flor at the start of the match, as two acrobatic finishes from Paixao set the tone, but Francisco of the opponents netted to decrease the gap between the sides. With under a minute from time in the first period, Vila Flor goalkeeper, Fabricio fancied his chances from a long way out as his bullet strike nestled in the top corner.
Both sides struggled to score throughout the second period, until Marcelo found the net with a 90 seconds left on the clock. However, Vila Flor responded with under 30 seconds to go, via Viana.
Francisco to pull back two goals for the trailing side in the third period, but it wasn’t enough as Vila flor scored two of their own through Silva and Pinto for the win. With this result, Vila Flor SC will compete in the knockout rounds in this year’s tournament.
Group B
Leixões SC score five to win again
After a Dominant 9-3 victory on the first day of the Euro Winners Challenge, Leixões SC were ready to strike whilst they were hot and use their momentum to win again, as they took on a narrowly beaten Portsmouth side from Day one looking come back with a vengeance on Day 2.
It was a spectacular start for Leixões, especially Santos, as he scored a four minute hat-trick for the Portuguese side and became the top scorer in the Euro Winners Challenge so far with five goals, and Telmo bagged his first of the tournament, making the score 5-0 before the first break
Thiaguinho slotted in his second of the tournament for his team’s sixth of the day without a Portsmouth response.
It took until the third period for the English side to make the breakthrough, courtesy of a Gould penalty. However, two late goals from the Portuguese outfit sealed the deal.
Local side, AD Nazaré 2022 progress
After receiving an incredible reception from fans in their first match of the Euro Winners Challenge 2023 against Portsmouth BSC, AD Nazaré 2022 took to the main stadium pitch as they faced GD Sesimbra.
We witnessed an immaculate effort from Rolon on Day 1, and in this match he did the same as his long range shot found the bottom corner to give the local team the lead, and Piló found the second for “Nazare 2022”, giving his side a 2-0 lead at the end of the first period.
Gonçalo Mantorras added to his goalscoring tally from Day 1 in the first 40 seconds of the second period for Sesimbra, but the leading side had ideas of their own as Bruninho and Joãozinho added to their tally, to the dismay of their opponents.
Both teams scored one each in the third period, with Ricky receiving a red card and AD Nazaré 2022 advancing.
Group C
Pampero scores a brace, as the Belgians can’t stop winning
It was the battle of first against second to kick-start Group C on the second day, as FC Genappe faced SM Jalles. After scoring a brace on matchday one, Bizot hit the back of the net for the French-based side to put the Group C leaders ahead, as his free-kick was fired into the bottom right corner. However, FC Gennape crucially equalised under a minute later as Pampero scored his third of the tournament, but this joy was short lived courtesy of an on-form, Bizot. With the score at 2-1, Vlaminck and Pampero slammed home two quick goals for the Belgian outfit to lead at the end of the first period.
In the second period of play, Vlaminck scored his second of the match and Be Saraiva followed suit of goal scoring to give FC Genappe a three goal advantage heading into the final 12 minutes of the match.
SM Jalles turned up the pressure in the third period, but to no avail as FC Genappe held on to a 5-2 victory to top Group C, securing a maximum total of six points from two matches.
CB Viseu secure a much needed three points
Both Portuguese sides, São Domingos and CB Viseu both tasted defeat on the opening day of the Euro Winners Cup in Group C at the hands of FC Genappe and SM Jalles, so were both desperate for victory in this match-up.
A breathtaking bicycle kick from Daniel broke the deadlock for CB Viseu inside the first three minutes, which was followed an spectacular effort from range by goalkeeper, Espanhol to double the lead. Daniel fired in the third, as São Domingos player, Serginho placed his effort into Espanhol’s bottom left corner.
Prazeres cut the deficit to just one in the opening minutes of the second period, but it was cancelled out by Lucas. B moments later, with score at 4-2 after 24 minutes had been played.
In the final period, Prazeres managed to close the gap between the sides once again, but with 13 seconds to go, Schaffer made sure of the CB Viseu win.
Group D
ACD O Sótão B win comfortably to advance
Local team, ACD O Sótão B received a warm welcome from supporters as they played RFC Perwez BS in Group D. Francisco Mota put the Portuguese side ahead, as his strike from distance wrong-footed the goalkeeper. This was the only goal of the first period despite the large amount of chances for ACD O Sótão B which were saved by RFC Perwez BS goalkeeper, Nelson Antony.
Tiago Légua added the second goal in the second period, as a reward for his side’s dominance in the match.
The Belgians received a red card in the last four minutes of the match, with Sótão taking advantage and scoring their third. RFC Perwez BS found a conciliation late on and with six seconds from time, Samuel Lopes killed off the match for good.
Based on how results panned out in today’s fixtures, FC Genappe, Vila Flor SC, Leixões SC, Minots de Marseille, ACD O Sótão B and AD Nazaré 2022 have all qualified for the knockout rounds.
To find out more about the Euro Winners Challenge 2023 make sure to visit beachsoccer.com.
Results
Group A
AO Kefallinia 5-4 Miehet
AD Buarcos 2017 4-6 Vila Flor
Group B
Portsmouth BSC 1-7 Leixões SC
GD Sesimbra 2-5 AD Nazaré 2022
Group C
FC Genappe 5-2 SM Jalles
São Domingos 3-5 CB Viseu
Group D
Minots de Marseille 3-0 Ghidighici
ACD O Sótão B 4-1 RFC Perwez BS
