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Israel-France will square off for one place in the Promotion final, as Greece,secures superfinal after hammering Czech Republic
Israel wins in last-minute
In a match that Estonia needed to win to retain hopes of playing in the 2014 EBSL Division A, they looked ready to take a big step towards that goal but they ran into an Israeli team that was bent on controlling the match offensively. Israel won 4-3 on a last minute penalty, which was a stark contrast to the best defensive performance of the tournament yesterday in a shutout win over Turkey.
Offense is the best defense and Estonia opened the game by exemplifying this mantra. Estonia scored early in the period on a beautiful kick that took Israel by surprise. Israel knew that a repeat of yesterdays one-goal performance would not be enough to beat this Estonian squad so they were noticeable attacking more and it paid off in the middle of the period when they tied the game at 1 off a wonderfully placed shot. These high-powered offenses came alive in the first period and both teams exchanged goals on spectacular strikes. The period ended with a score of 2-2.
Early in the second, it looked as though both defenses had figured out the others´ offense and the score remained level for most of the period. In the middle of the second period Israel scored off a turnover to change the outlook of the game. Israel went up by 1 and their energy went to another level. Israel started creating more chances for themselves and this did not lead to as many goals as they would have liked but they kept control and took a one goal lead into the final period.
Play in the third period was very aggressive with both teams using their strength to push the other around, but neither team wanted to back down. After a short scoring drought, Saharov of Estonia scored his second goal of the day and tied the game at 3 with just over 4 minutes left. Israel kept their cool and drove to the Estonian edge of the field and drew a penalty with under a minute left. The kick was solid and did not miss. That penalty proved to be the decider.
The 4-3 win keeps Israel in control of their own destiny for the Promotion final. A win on Saturday would secure them a spot in the Promotion final. Estonia is eliminated from the Promotion final but they will have the chances to earn their first win on Saturday or Sunday.
Goals: 0-1: Saharov, min. 11 (1); 1-1: Badash, min. 7 (1); 1-2: Truusalu, min. 4 (1); 2-2: Shina, min. 3 (1); 3-2: Badash, min. 5 (2); 3-3: Saharov, min. 4 (3); 4-3: Danin, min. 1 (3).
Hungary avoids letdown
After deflating losses to Greece and the Czech Republic, Hungary and England started their match against one another with every intention of making the Promotion final. Hungary scored first and ended up winning 4-6 over an England squad that was constantly fighting from behind. The extra energy expelled from battling a one or two goal deficit was exploited by the very tenacious Hungary team.
The first period was back and forth and with just under 6 minutes remaining Hungary struck first on a powerful shot but that did not phase England. On the ensuing kick-off, a ball destined for the net was illegally deflected with a Hungarian player?s hand, warranting a red card and a penalty shot for England. Day of England connected to level the score at 1, and Hungary was forced to play without one man for three minutes. Less than a minute after returning to full strength, the Magyar scored again to go up by one, and maintained control and the lead heading into the first break.
England did not linger on their deficit very long into the second period as Day scored his second of the match to pull The Three Lions even with Hungary once again. Hungary did not stay back and defend; instead they utilized good spacing on the field to score two more goals in the hope of preventing an English come back. Hungary took a two goal lead into the final break.
England, not surprising, scored early in the period to get within one goal. The captain of the English team scored in the first minute of the third. The excitement of the final frame jumped up a notch, especially after the early goal. The score remained the same heading into the final minutes of the period though England had picked up their energy looking for the equalizer. It finally came with under a minute left, when Bowes of England scored on a picture-perfect bicycle kick. Hungary was not ready to give up the three points and they scored on their next possession to go up by one. Hungary added one last goal at the buzzer.
England can no longer make the Promotion final and compete in Division A next season but their already high quality Beach Soccer play and gained experience will serve them greatly come next season. Hungary played in their second consecutive tight match and today they prevailed, still giving them hope to reach the Promotion final.
Goals: 0-1: Csoszanszki, min. 5 (1); 1-1: Day, min. 5 (1); 1-2: Csoszanszki, min. 2 (1); 2-2: Day, min. 11 (2); 2-3: Fekete, min. 6 (2); 2-4: Csoszanszki, min. 4 (2); 3-4: Evans, min. 11 (3); 4-4: Bowes, min. 1 (3); 4-5: Weisz, min. 1 (3); 4-6: Fekete, min. 1 (3).
Greece smothers Czech Republic
Greece and Estonia both won their opening matches on Thursday and were looking to continue winning all the way into Division A by way of the Promotion final. Greece deservedly prevailed 6-2 over the Czech Republic after shutting the door on the Czechs potent offense. The Czech Republic came into the match expecting a tough fight but by no means did they expect to be held to only two goals.
Early in the period Greece set the tempo and as a result they scored first and dictated much of the overall play. That is not to say that the Czech Republic did not have their chances, but Greece played how they wanted, on the Czech side of the field and relied on their historically stout defense. Greece stifled the Czech Republics´ offense greatly and limited their direct shots on goal.The Greeks kept their one-goal lead throughout the remainder of the period and headed into the second period up 1-0.
The opening kick of the second period nearly scored but the back line of Greece headed the shot away at the goal line. The Greeks knew that their offense must score in bunches to keep the Czechs off balance. Two minutes into the period the Greeks scored on a beautiful cross and header to give themselves a little cushion. They would add to that cushion less than a minute later when a pretty bicycle kick was saved by the Czech Republic but the rebound could not be corralled and Greece pounced, scroring to make the score 3-0 early in the second. The Greeks seemed content with the lead and leaned on the defense for the rest of the period and headed to the third up 3-0.
The third period began with another Greek goal, with Bertsias booting the ball from one end to another in a beautiful example of how quickly goals can be scored from anywhere in Beach Soccer. The Czechs can score in bunches and knowing this gives them the confidence to score at anytime, making every game still in their reach. In fact, they scored on a great deflection in the middle of the period to get on the board and inspire hopes of a miracle on sand. The chances increased for the Czech Republic but they weren?t able to capitalize on them and succumbed to the Greeks and hat trick by the Greek captain Paris.
Beating the Czechs 6-2 gives Greece another win and with the offense playing well and defense clicking, they will be a force to be reckoned with as the tournament goes on. The Czech Republic will still be able to showcase their skill and earn another win and place in the Promotion final.
Goals: 1-0: Papaefstratiou, min. 7 (1); 2-0: Paris, min. 10 (2); 3-0: Paris, min. 10 (2); 4-0: Bertsias Nek, min. 10 (3); 4-1: Chalupa, min. 7 (3); 5-1: Karakasis, min. 3 (3); 6-1: Paris, min. 1 (3); 6-2: Dlouhy, min. 1 (3).
Opportunistic France beats Turkey
France and Turkey both were coming off of emotional matches, France won in stunning comeback fashion while Turkey had lost a tight one against Israel. France used a fast start and up-tempo attack to defeat Turkey 4-1. France missed very few opportunities but look poised to protect their Division A standing for the 2014 season and win the Promotion final. The Turkish side can play with the best in Beach Soccer but after two very narrow losses they will look to regroup for their remaining and see their fortunes reverse.
France had a determination to score right when the whistle blew, looking like a team on a high after winning an emotional match the day before. Turkey came out playing slower than normal and gave up an own-goal to give France, putting the French up 1-0. As play opened up, the Turkish offense and defense settled down, though France continued to push and gave themselves the opportunities to score more goals. Neither side was able to score though and the period ended with France still up 1-0.
Turkey wasted no time in the second letting France know that they meant business and their offensive attacks were becoming more and more dangerous. The kick-off to open the second and early penalties against France, giving Turkey direct kicks, were extremely close and examples of Turkeys´ skill and ability to score, unfortunately for Turkey the intent did not equate into many goals. For all the pressure France put on Turkeys´ defense, the French were unable to capitalize on their chances until Francois skidded a tricky shot across the ground from his side of the pitch into the goal. France went into the third period up by 2, 2-0.
France needed at least one more goal in the early parts of the third period to feel safer with their lead and on the opening kick they did exactly that and scored on the foot of their captain, Pagis. The Turkish side became visibly frustrated when almost all of their attempts on goal were within inches of scoring. France continued to pile on the shots on goal and looked very confident throughout the period and it showed with them scoring twice late to seal the win.
The three points for France in the 4-1 win keeps them on pace for the Promotion final crown to be awarded to the best team in Division B on Sunday. Turkey has two matches left to earn points and show they are a better team than their record at this point.
Goals: 1-0: Vulcan (OG), min. 8 (1); 2-0: Francois, min. 4 (2); 3-0: Pagis, min. 11 (3); 3-1: Cem, min. 2 (3); 4-1: Francois, min. 1 (3).
EURO BEACH SOCCER LEAGUE PROMOTION FINAL TORREDEMBARRA 2013
Match Results:
Friday, 9th of August, 2013
Israel 4-3Estonia
England 4-6 Hungary
Greece 6-2 Czech Republic
France 4-1 Turkey
Upcoming Matches:
Saturday, 10th of August, 2013
10:15 ? Czech Republic vs Hungary
11:30 ? Turkey vs Estonia
12:45 ? France vs Israel
14:00 ? Greece vs England
