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The Greek celebrate their first game in division A upsetting the hosts of this Euro Beach Soccer League Sopot 2014
France does not disappoint in 2nd stage opener
The 7-3 win for France over Switzerland in the opening match in Sopot was filled with action that could not be scripted. The French turned around their luck in regards to playing Switzerland, having lost their previous two matches against the Swiss. This second stage opener was exciting and the same can be expected from the next games, as Switzerland will take on Ukraine in the opening match on Saturday, while the French squad will build on this momentum and battle Spain.
The French side began the match just as they ended their last match in the EBSL Catania, by scoring. The Swiss team lineup did not look like it normally does as they were playing without their superstar Dejan Stankovic, though that did not slow them. Facing the early one goal deficit, they quickly erased that and ended the frame up 2-1. The second period was a different story as Les Bleus used creative ways, like a great flicked chip shot, to take a 3-2 lead going into the final frame.
In the final leg, the French were still full of energy, and managed to find the cracks in the Swiss defense to increase their advantage. The Alpine were unable to counteract the French momentum and could not make up ground and ended up conceding four goals.
Goals: 0-1: Samoun, min. 8 (1); 1-1: Ott, min. 4 (1); 2-1: Misev, min. 4 (1); 2-2: Fayos, min. 6 (2); 2-3: Fayos, min. 6 (2); 2-4: Lauthe, min. 8 (3); 2-5: Barbotti, min. 8 (3); 3-5: Ott, min. 3 (3); 3-6: Lauthe, min. 3 (3); 3-7: François, min. 2 (3).
Portugal begins their EBSL season with powerful win
The 3-1 win for Portugal over Holland was ultra competitive and was a small sample size of how veteran and consistent the Portuguese side is as they went down early but then turned on the burners and never looked back. The Netherlands played Portugal very tight the entire time but were not able get more than the game opening goal. The Netherlands were hoping to build on the win they got against Russia in their stage one meeting just a week ago but can still rebound against Poland on Saturday. Portugal will build on this win in their match against Division A newcomers, Greece, on Saturday.
The Dutch started quickly by scoring in the opening minute and in the early going they continued to press however neither side was able to get past the goalkeepers until the final minutes of the period when Portugal scored the equalizer. That is how the period would end, tied at 1. The Lusitanian side put their best foot forward as the middle frame began, although the Netherlands were able to keep pace and stop the Portuguese from scoring. The breakthrough did come late in the period when a beautiful pass led to a pinpoint header to the foot of Duarte who slotted home the ball for Portugal. The Portuguese squad added to their lead and went into the final period up 3-1.
Holland started the final period on the attack, knowing that they needed to overcome a two goal deficit, but in the first few minutes of the period did not include a goal. The urgency for the Netherlands continued but Portugal was able to breakup most of the Dutch attacks before they became extremely dangerous. In the waning minutes of the match, Portugal looked the aggressor and seemed to be in position to score again. The Dutch were not left wanting for opportunities though, and steadily pressed but Portugal was too solid in goal and their overall defense.
Goals: 0-1: Van Dieren, min. 11 (1); 1-1: Jordan, min. 3 (1); 2-1: Duarte, min. 4 (2); 3-1: Torres, min. 4 (2).
Spain wills itself to a narrow win
The 2-1 win for Spain over Ukraine was a great start for the Spaniards to their EBSL season, in part because they flashed brilliance on offense, defense, and goalkeeping. It was the first match for both teams in the EBSL season. Spain took the first leas in the opening frame, then Ukraine answered in the middle frame, however, Spain rebounded to take the lead in the third period. Spain will play their second match on Saturday against France. Ukraine played extremely tough and will need to prove they can do it again against Switzerland on Saturday.
The world´s best keeper, Dona of Spain, was not able to relax for one moment as a spectacular double-save was required of him directly off the kickoff. The Spanish goalie responded and it seemed to fuel the Spanish and they began to round into form defensively. The two teams were unable to find the back of the net until late in the first until Spain slotted home a wonderful volley to take the 1-0 lead, which is how the period would end. La Roja controlled most of the middle period but Ukraine did well to shut out the Spaniards with timely saves and great tackles. Ukraine got on the scoreboard very late in the second period to tie the match at one, the period ended with that same score.
The final frame was set-up by the great late finish to the second period and in the first few possessions of the third period, Ukraine looked like they would tack on the go-ahead goal, but Spain took control and used a quick goal by Llorenç to take the lead once again. The one goal advantage did not look like it would hold but the Spaniards withstood the onslaught and despite not being able to score again, they did just enough to secure the win and three points.
Goals: 1-0: Pajón, min. 4 (1); 1-1: Medvid, min. 2 (2); 2-1: Llorenç, min. 11 (3).
Brilliant Bertsias gets Greece first Division A victory in overtime
The 4-3 overtime win for Greece over Poland was somewhat of a shock in the beach soccer world, but the first ever Division A match for the Greeks was not surprising to them. The Greek squad was the best Division B team last season and narrowly missed out on making it to top division last year. Today Greece rode the four goals from one of their star players, Bertsias to the exciting win. This was Poland´s fourth match of the season, out of six, and they have been on the outside looking in for all of them. Greece will face a formidable Portugal squad on Saturday and the hosts will take on Netherlands in search of first points of the season.
Greece began the opening period by making sure they got ahead of a very hungry Polish team in search of their first EBSL points this season, and the game plan worked to perfection when the newest Division A team scored to take the early 1-0 lead. After going down 2-0, the hosts came back and tied the Greeks with two straight goals, which is how the period would end, tied at 2. Poland opened the second period looking very comfortable and getting stronger and stronger though neither team was able to score again creating an even more dramatic final frame.
The final period was tense as both teams were in need of points, particularly for Poland, who lost their three opening stage matches in Catania last weekend. As was the case late in the second period, the third frame began with many chances for the Poles. The attacking mode of Poland created some counters for Greece but going into the middle of the frame neither team had scored but Bertsias of Greece took advantage of a Polish defensive miscue to score his third goal of the match to take the 3-2 lead. Poland refused to give in and scored a late goal to knot things at three with an amazing overhead kick by Firszkemut. That is how the score would remain when the whistle sounded, sending both teams to overtime. Greece made the most of the extra frame and pushed the tempo until Bertsias scored his fourth of the match to give Greece the lead and ultimately the win.
Goals: 1-0: Bertsias, min. 10 (1); 2-0: Bertsias, min. 4 (1); 2-1: Wydmuszek, min. 4 (1); 2-2: Saganowski, min. 0 (1); 3-2: Bertsias, min. 6 (3); 3-3: Friszkemut, min. 3 (3); 4-3: Bertsias, min. 0 (et).
EURO BEACH SOCCER LEAGUE SOPOT 2014
Results today
Fri 27.06.14
13:15 – Switzerland 3-7 France
14:30 – Portugal 3-1 Netherlands
15:45 – Spain 2-1 Ukraine
17:00 – Greece 4-3 (aet) Poland
Matches for tomorrow:
Sat 28.06.14
13:15 – Switzerland vs Ukraine
14:30 – Portugal vs Greece
15:45 – Spain vs France
17:00 – Poland vs Netherlands
