First moves in the EBSL Superfinal and Promotional Final

Turkey makes first step to the Promotion Final

Turkish National team has managed a penalty-kick victory to Israel that has put them in a great position to achieve a place in the Promotional Final. When everything seemed lost for the Ottoman, a last second ball was headed in by Erhan for the 3-3 equalizer, what led the game into the extra time. None of the contenders found their opponent’s net again, and penalty shootout stated that Turkey was to become the first leader in this Group B of the Promotional Final.

Israel managed to inaugurate the scoreboard in the first period, thanks to a brave attempt by one of their stars, captain Iloz. With the advantage, the Israeli sat deep waiting for a chance for counterattack, and it was Turkey who led the game looking for the equalizer. It didn’t come until mid second period, although happily for the Ottoman it was soon accompanied by the turn-around 1-2, thanks to a spectacular bicycle kick by Erhan.

But the Israeli would recover the control in the last 12 minutes, with a quick comeback that made the score 3-2 when there were 8 minutes still to go. Seconds began quckly passing by for Turkey, who found no way in Abu’s goal. The horn was ready to signal the end of this first match in Lisbon when  Erhan head the ball in to give breath back to Turkish lungs. The score did not move in the extra time, and there came the time for the penalty shootout, where the Turkish proved better-aimed and got the points to momentarily lead the table in this Group B.

Goals: 1-0: Iloz, min. 6 (1); 1-1: Ayhan, min. 9 (2); 1-2: Erhan, min. 7 (2); 2-2: Iloz, min. 9 (3); 3-2: Alon, min. 8(3); 3-3: Erhan, min 0 (3).

Penalty Shootout: Iloz, in; Ayhan, in; Fartok, in; Kerem, in; Alon, Ahmet saves; Onur, in.

France sets it clear: we want to stay

The French will leave everything on the sand not to lose their Division A license. They need, though, an impeccable performance in Lisbon, where a single defeat would leave them out of the Promotion Final. Fully aware of how concentrated they need to be, Cantona’s lads have begun their path with an emphatic victory over England. The English tried to never lose face to the game, making things difficult for the French, but a blasting last period made the score 10-4 at the final horn.

Basquaise put France ahead, but, immediately afterwards, Funnell equalized the advantage. England went even further turning things around with a second goal, by Sprooles, that triggered all French ghosts, but France reacted before the end of the first period, managing the the 2-2 right before the first horn. After the break, Les Bleus geared their beach soccer up and achieved a three-goal advantage, thanks to the brave moves by Sciortino and François (2). Determined English could counteract this blow again, and got back on the pursuit thanks to Gould and Evans’ goals. But France would not allow the Three Lions any further, and with the second period seconds almost finished, former Rennes forward Pagis began the French devastating last run.

The last twelve minutes became a French monologue. Four more goals by Cantona’s side finished the game and boosted Les Bleus ahead of the table in this Promotion Final Group A. Now, Hungary is their next threat.

Goals: 1-0, Basquaise, min. (1); 1-1, Funnell , min. 7 (1); 1-2: Sprooles, min. 4 (1); 2-2: Pagis, min. 1 (1); 3-2 Sciortino, min. 8 (2) ); 4-2 Sciortino, min. 7 (2); 5-2: François, min. 6 (2); 5-3: Gould, min. 4 (2); 5-4: Evans, min. 1 (2) 6-4: Pagis, min. 0 (2); 7-4: Sciortino, min. 10 (3); 8-4: Sciortino, min. 6 (3); 9-4: Devaux, min. 5 (3); 10-4: Samoun, min. 1 (3).

Difficult victory for Russia

The EBSL regular season leaders, Russia, have found it really difficult to beat Romania in their first match in this Superfinal. The Carpathian side even got two times ahead in the score and forced the soviets to make a great effort to get the points.

Pitu and Raj became the most annoying players for Russia. Romania’s number two was the one to put the Romanian ahead in the first period. Although Shishin completed the first comeback with only 16 seconds to go before the first break, Raj found enough time to make it 2-2 before the horn. Again, Pitu made his side go forth in the scoreboard in the second period, but Makarov, Shaykov and Krasheninnikov changed the game’s colour in the first three minutes of the last one.

Raj shortened the distance again, but the Russian captain, Leonov, made it 6-4. On Saturday, Russia is to face hosts Portugal (17.15h), in a match that could decide the first of the Superfinal contenders

Goals: 0-1: Pitu, min. 5 (1); 1-1: Krasheninnikov, min. 1 (1); 2-1: Shishin, min. 0 (1); 2-2: Raj, min. 0 (1); 2-3: Pitu, min. 2 (2); 3-3: Makarov, min. 10 (3); 4-3: Shaykov, min. 9 (3); 5-3: Krasheninnikov, min. 8 (3); 5-4: Raj, min. 6 (3); 6-4: Leonov, min. 6 (3).

Italy wins the battle of magic

When talking about a competition such as the EBSL Superfinal, it is hard, or impossible, to talk about favourites. When to teams such as Italy and Switzerland clash on the sand, no one can predict what is going to happen. One thing is granted, though, that the spectacle about to be delivered is absolutely going to be worth everything. Today’s showdown has been no exception. Both teams have offered a wonderful beach soccer act, with amazing goals and excitement from the very first, to the very last second.

New Esposito’s Italy has been victorious this time. The Azzurri got early in command, and they perfectly knew how to administer their advantage. Sorcerer Stankovic, with a goal poker this afternoon, managed the one and only equalizer for the Swiss. It was a momentary 3-3, by mid second period. But that was the Alpine best position, since the Italian side achieved a new three-goal advantage at the beginning of third quarter.

From that moment on, every attempt by the Swiss to cut the distance in the score was answered by the Transalpine with a new blow. Italy seem to be back to their best shape, since, besides the high competitiveness they have displayed today against one of the biggest squads on Earth, the brilliant actions by most of their players become the best proof that they feel at their best again after a bitter performance in Bibione. The Azzurri are back.

Goals: 0-1: Leghissa, min. 8 (1); 0-2: Gori, min. 3 (1); 1-2: Stankovic, min. (1); 1-3, Carotenuto, min. 0 (1); 2-3: Stankovic, min.0 (1); 3-3: Stankovic, min. 3 (2); 3-4: Palmacci, min. 3 (2); 3-5: Di Maio, min. 0 (2); 3-6: Corosiniti, min. 9 (3); 4-6: Meier, min. 8 (3); 4-7: Palmacci, min. 8 (3); 5-7: Stankovic, min. 6 (3); 5-8: Gori, min. 5 (3); 6-8: Meier, min. 0 (3).

Match Results

Thu 26.08.10     

Group standings

Promotional Final

Group A

Group B

Superfinal

Group A

Group B