Victories for Russia, England, Spain and Switzerland see four sides exit the EBSL Superfinal running
Day 2 of the Women’s Euro Beach Soccer League Superfinal saw big wins and a total of 32 goals scored, as eight teams become four with a group game still to play.
Russia almost allowed Netherland to get back into a game of varying spells of dominance, while England totally blew aside Czech Republic by eight goals to none.
Spain initially suffered against Ukraine but got into their stride to claim the three points at a canter, while two goalless periods were rounded off by a final 12 minutes of incredible beach soccer when Switzerland downed hosts Portugal.
RUS 7-4 NED (Group 2)
Russia left it late to down Ukraine in their previous group match, but they wasted no time in blasting five goals past the overwhelmed Dutch in the first period of their match on Friday.
Five different goal scorers had Leonov’s women in control at the whistle, but the Netherlands dominated the second period, putting three away against the reigning champions to slash the deficit to just two, thanks to a brace from Chelly.
It looked as if the comeback was on, as after mounting the pressure, Bouchra took the players in Orange to just a goal behind Russia.
Brace-completing strikes from Bazhanova and Cherniakova, however, dashed Dutch dreams of a place in the Superfinal, pulling away in the final minutes to win the match 7-4, and they will now face Spain in a straight shootout for the Superfinal place.
Goals: 1-0: Sheva, min. 7 (1); 2-0: Kanaeva, min. 3 (1); 3-0: Cherniakova, min. 2 (1); 4-0: Akylbaeva, min. 0 (1); 5-0: Bazhanova, min. 0 (1); 5-1: Chelly, min. 10 (2); 5-2: Sylvana, min. 5 (2); 5-3: Chelly, min. 4 (2); 5-4: Bouchra, min. 3 (3); 6-4: Bazhanova, min. 2 (3); 6-4: Cherniakova, min. 1 (3);
ENG 8-0 CZE (Group 1)
A nervy comeback against the hosts Portugal yesterday, England offered a more convincing performance against Czech Republic in their second group match.
Molly Clark netted her third of the competition in the first period, but the Czechs were still very much in the tie at the first whistle. The flood gates opened in the next period though, and Clark and Kempson (2017 World’s Best Player) claimed braces, and Short and James also got their names on the scoresheet.
The final period saw more of the same, as Short netted twice more to bury the game once and for all, completing her hat-trick, as Hannah Haughton claiming a clean sheet.
Disappointment for the Czechs who are now out of the running for the title, but if England beat Switzerland tomorrow, they will be one game away from regaining the continental crown.
Goals: 1-0: Clark, min. 5 (1); 2-0: Kempson, min. 11 (2); 3-0: Clark, min. 10 (2); 4-0: James, min. 5 (2); 5-0: Kempson, min. 3 (2); 6-0: C. Short, min. 2 (2); 7-0: C. Short, min. 9 (3); 8-0: C. Short, min. 1 (3);
ESP 7-2 UKR (Group 2)
After Russia’s win earlier in the day, Ukraine needed to beat Spain to keep any hopes of a Superfinal place alive, and Tykhnova drew first blood for the women in yellow.
Fanjul equalised almost immediately, only to be pinned back once more by Terekh. Like clockwork, Spain were there again to cancel out the goal, this time through 2019’s Best Player Carol.
Nati nicked the lead for La Roja before the first break, and from there it was all Christian Mendez’s side, as Delia and Sara added their names to the match report.
A late Barquero brace pushed the final score to 7-2, and Spain secured a playoff against Russia for the Group 2 place in the Superfinal on Sunday. The hunt for European glory on their debut appearance ends for Ukraine, but they will meet Netherlands tomorrow in search of points on the last day of group games.
Goals: 0-1: Tykhnova, min. 6 (1); 1-1: Fanjul, min. 6 (1); 1-2: Terekh, min. 3 (1); 2-2: Carol, min. 3 (1); 3-2: Nati, min. 2 (1); 4-2: Delia, min. 10 (2); 5-2: Sara, min. 7 (2); 6-2: Barquero, min. 5 (2); 7-2: Barquero, min. 8 (3);
SUI 3-1 POR (Group 1)
After leading for much of their game on Thursday against England, Alan Cavalcanti’s side suffered defeat and were in dire need of points against Switzerland on Day 2.
The keepers were in inspired form, keeping the scoreline unchanged for the entirety of the first two periods.As the prospect of extra time drew closer, the tension suddenly snapped as Switzerland hit three in quick succession, a Gebert brace and an amazing Keller overhead, to seize control of the game.
Erica responded with a rocket straight from kick-off but Portugal ran out of time, and are now out of the running for a European title. England await Switzerland in the final group battle for a Superfinal place…
Goals: 1-0: Gebert, min. 10 (3); 2-0: Gebert, min. 9 (3); 3-0: Keller, min. 5 (3); 3-1: Erica, min. 5 (3);
For full details on the Women’s EBSL Superfinal, including fixtures, results and standings, head to beachsoccer.com.
