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Les Bleus win thriller against Greece to stay in Division A next season asHungary bounces back to take 3rd place over Israel
Thrilling win keeps France to Division A
The final match of the EBSL 2013 Division B season was between France and Greece. The Greeks, who fought all season in Division B was pitted against a French team that the season in Division A. The winner of EBSL Promotion final Torredembarra 2013 will play in Division A next season. If there was ever a match for a title and promotion, it was this match. Greece scored early but couldn?t hold off the French rally. It was a shame that only one team could advance, in an instant classic, only one team prevailed, France, 2-1 over Greece.
The opening period of the most important match of each teams´ seasons was very emotional as both teams wanted the title badly. It was not easy to crack the defenses though, which were strengths of both teams, significantly aiding them in getting to this point in Torredembarra undefeated. The rousing first period was European beach soccer at its finest, fast, clean, and action-packed on both ends. Greece became the first to score on a magnificent upper corner rocket of a shot that nailed the upper corner of the goal; it put Greece, an exceptional model of great defense, in a great position going into the second period up 1-0.
France is known by coming from behind all too well, as they had to do that during their first match of the weekend and they were not worried only being down by one goal going into the second period. France utilized great crosses and soft touches to move the ball around the pitch and set up their shots but the Greeks kept up the tight defense and going into the middle of the period they maintained their one goal lead. Heading into the final minutes of the period France and Greece were playing spectacularly, making great passes and battling for every ball, not willing to let any loose ball go uncontested. Despite only one goal being scored, it was evident that this was truly a championship match. Excited heated up even more in the last minute of the second period when France netted a goal, but it was waived off due to a hand ball. The period ended with the score of 1-0, Greece.
The play was amazing to begin the final period and France was rewarded their first goal of the match when a shot with a lot of steam went off the Greek keeper and then rebounded to France´s Samoun who put the ball home. The game was far from over and Greece tried to get another goal though they couldn?t heading into the final minutes but France´s hero, Samoun, scored his second of the match with 5 minutes remaining to put France up by one for their first lead of the match. The French friendly crowd seemed to energize the team and they looked ready to score more goals and add to their lead but the Greeks had their own plans and continually stopped Frances´ attacks.
The heart-stopping win means that France will stay in Division A next season and with the spectacular play they will be very encouraged going into next season. Greece played as well of a match and tournament as you can without actually winning and after they regroup, it is definite that they will be back with a vengeance next season in Division B.
Goals: 0-1: Triantafyllidis, min. 2 (1); 1-1: Samoun, min. 10 (3); 2-1: Samoun, min. 5 (3).
Well-rounded Hungary takes 3rd place
Israel and Hungary both had very good tournaments and were in the 3rd place match for Division B. Israel lost a tough match against France on Saturday while Hungary had their only loss come at the hands of Greece on the opening day of the tournament. Their rebound from that loss was made even more impressive with the 3-1 win over Israel, defeating every other opponent they faced. Israel played two of their toughest matches on Saturday and Sunday and will look for a different result next season.
The first period saw some spectacular long range shots narrowly miss their target but Hungary made sure they started off quickly and scored first, only two minutes into the match. Both teams did a nice job of deflecting shots away though and that kept the score the same deep into the opening frame until Israel scored on a magnificent play. A bicycle kick went across the face of the Hungarian goal and on the back post Fahima was waiting to knock in the beautiful header tying the game at 1. The first period ended with that school.
The fast paced second period had excellent passing and patience on display as each team opted for making more pass or letting the opponents defenders over pursue before taking their shots on goal. The patience was equally matched by defense that did not allow any goals past them through the first half of the period. In the final minutes of the period, Hungary went up again, 2-1, for their second one goal lead of the match. Israel continued to look for the leveling score and Hungary wanted to avoid another tie or worse a deficit. Hungary added to their lead, giving them a two goal cushion as the teams headed to the decisive third period, 3-1.
The third period saw a desperate Israel put all the pressure they could on the Polish defense. The Poles maintained their backline and early in the period they kept Israel to one goal despite many close calls for Israel, including a near goal that seemed to skirt across the goal line but the perfectly positioned referee saw that the ball did not fully cross the line, which is the rule. Hungary was also on the wrong side of close calls in the period but they still controlled the tempo and had a two goal lead heading into the last minutes.
The 3-1 win for Hungary means they finish as the 3rd best team in Division B in the EBSL. With the loss, Israel still placed 4th Division B and for both teams, slight changes could result in a Division A birth in next seasons Promotion final.
Goals: 0-1: Sebestyen, min. 10 (1); 1-1: Fahima, min. 1 (1); 1-2: Weisz, min. 4 (2); 1-?3: Berkes, min. 1 (2);
Hat trick propels Estonia to 7th
England had won 8 of their last 10 Beach Soccer matches coming into the EBSL Division B 7th place match and they were looking to take their second straight game in the EBSL Promotion final Torredembarra 2013. Estonia was looking for their first win of the weekend and secure 7th place in a crowed Division B. Estonia put on a defensive clinic in the match and got the much needed win 4-3 over England.
Estonia opened the game with a quick goal that put England kept England from their own plans early. Estonia shut down every attempt that England created for themselves. Despite giving up one more goal in the period, England did a great job of limiting Estonia´s offensive chances as well. The offenses were playing well but the defenses were playing better. Estonia did not relinquish a goal in the period and took a 2-0 lead into the second.
Early in the second period the defenses were still in top form and the score did not change until four minutes into the period when England got on the board, bringing themselves back to within one goal, at 2-1. Estonia did not want to see their two goal lead diminish that quickly and they added another hit late in the period, bring their tally to 3 in comparison to England´s 1. The period ended with a spectacular direct kick from the English captain, Evans, making the score 3-2, Estonia, setting the stage for a brilliant final period.
Estonia did not want a repeat of their match yesterday when they blew a lead and eventually lost to Turkey in penalties, so they scored again, early in the period to put their lead back to 2 goals, going up 4-2. England saw few open looks in the final period and were unable to narrow the gap heading into the final minutes. With 13 seconds remaining in the game, England scored again, giving them hope of an improbable comeback. The game seemed destined for overtime as England was given a direct kick with less than one second left on the clock. The tension was high but the kick sailed wide, sealing the win for Estonia.
The 4-3 win for Estonia gives them their first win and points of the tournament. In defeating England, they earn 7th place and will look to improve on that next season. England was on a tremendous win streak and the loss puts them in 8th place in Division B but the improvement they showed in the 2013 season is a sign that the English National team will be even better next season.
Goals: 1-0: Rump, min. 11 (1); 2-0: Truusalu, min. 3 (1); 2-1: Lawson, min. 8 (2); 3-1: Rump, min. 3 (2); 3-2: Evans, min. 1 (2); 4-2: Rump, min. 10 (3); 4-3: Evans, min. 1 (3).
Turkey halts Czech comeback
A 5th place finish in Division B was on the line for Czech Republic and Turkey. Both played extremely well in the tournament despite some losses and were set on making the most of this Promotion final and ending on a high-note.
Czech Republic opened the period with a beautiful crossing header from their captain Chalupa to Karda who pounded home the volley to put his team up 1-0 early. Turkey made some wonderful saves to stay in the game. Both teams exchanged great chances during the period but Turkey could not level the score and the Czechs could not tack on to their one goal lead. Turkey put the b all in the net late in the period but the goal was disallowed due to an offensive penalty. The letdown did not last long as Turkey in the final minute to tie the game and the game headed to the second frame tied.
The second frame was a carry-over from the first period as Turkey used their last minute goal of the first to score again early in the second to go up 2-1. The Turkish team, if they looked sluggish in the first period, they were a completely different team in the second, flying to loose ball and making runs all over the field. With the second unanswered goal, the Turkish defense looked more and more comfortable in refusing to allow the Czechs to get another goal. Late in the period Turkey was still in control and at the last possible second of the period, they were awarded a direct kick in a very dangerous position on the Czech side of the field, and Turkey did not miss, and took a 3-1 lead into the final period.
Karda of the Czech Republic made sure his team did not stay two goals down for long as he scored his second goal of the match in the opening minutes of the third period to make the score 3-2, Turkey. Turkey was just as determined to keep a semi-comfortable two goal lead and they scored in the same minute to go back up by two goals. As pressure increased so did the goals and both teams exchanged goals, but the Czech Republic managed to figure out the Turkish defense and scored three goals in the first few minutes, in comparison to Turkey´s one goal, to tie the game at 4. The remainder of the period was played at a hurried pace and neither team gave up another goal, sending the match to overtime. Overtime, as expected, was very evenly matched but with just over a minute left in the three minute extra time, Turkey scored to put themselves up for good, as the Czechs could not counter.
The 5-4 overtime win puts Turkey in 5th place in Division B and it is their 2nd straight extra time victory, they were involved in the legendary 24 shot penalty shootout against Estonia yesterday. The Czech Republic opened the tournament with a win but were unable to duplicate the success, though the end the tournament in 6th place.
Goals: 0-1: Karda, min. 11 (1); 1-1: Adil, min. 1 (1); 2-1: Volkan, min. 8 (2); 3-1: Baris, min. 1 (2); 3-2: Karda, min. 10 (3); 4-2: Erkan, min. 10 (3); 4-3: Kovarik, min. 8 (3); 4-4: Salak, min. 8 (3); 5-4: Onur, min. 1 (ET).
EURO BEACH SOCCER LEAGUE PROMOTION FINAL 2013
Match Results:
Sunday, 11th of August, 2013
Estonia 4-3 England
Turkey 5-4 Czech Republic
Israel 1-3 Hungary
France 2-1 Greece
Final Standings:
1. France
2. Greece
3. Hungary
4. Israel
5. Turkey
6. Czech Republic
7. Estonia
8. England
