Extra time was needed to decide the Russian Champions in the Superfinal, with defending champions Lokomotiv out in Semifinals
The excitement steadily built from the 17th to the 21st of July to determine who would leave Moscow as the best Beach Soccer club in Russia. The intensity could not be bridled in a pre-determined schedule and it even boiled over on the last day, in the last game, to overtime. Only then could a king be crowned. FC Krystall, commanded by Brazilian stars Jorginho, Datinha and Bruno Xavier, (Saint-Petersburg) left with the distinguished title of Best in Russia and the gold medals, replacing the champions Lokomotiv Moscow, who could not go beyond the semifinal stage in this occasion.
The entire tournament was a testament to the growth of Beach Soccer. First on an international level, as the tournament was played for the first time in the capital city, Moscow, of the current FIFA World Cup Champions, Russia, in a new permanent sports complex called Dynamo. Second on a national level as the level of play was very elevated and all-around competitive, also a team from Moscow was not in the Russian Superfinal Championship match for the first time in many years.
The final match pitted two regional power houses against one another, FC Krystall of Saint Petersburg and FC Rotor of Volograd. The winner could not be determined in regular time and FC Krystall demonstrated poise and nerves of steel to win the cup and medals in overtime. The loss was devastating for FC Rotor but they embodied determination and played their best soccer late in the tournament as they beat out four other teams, three from Moscow, to earn second place.
Final Standings:
1. FC Krystall (Saint Petersburg)
2. FC Rotor (Volograd)
3. FC Lokomotiv (Moscow)
4. FC Dynamo (Moscow)
5. FC Strogino (Moscow)
6. FC Krylia Sovetov-VSB (Samara)
Individual Awards:
Best Forward ? Anatoly Peremitin (FC Krystall)
Best Player ? Dimitry Shishin (FC Rotor)
Best Goalkeeper ? Maxim Chuzhkov (FC Rotor)
