STORE 
MY BEACH SOCCER 
Portugal and Russia were made to sweat for victories on day one in Catania.
The world’s top two, Portugal and Russia, were both given stern workouts on the opening day of the Euro Beach Soccer League Superfinal in Catania on Thursday.
Number one side Portugal held off a Switzerland fightback to keep their title defence on track with a 6-5 win – a Be Martins hat-trick helping the holders into a 4-2 lead by the end of the first period, while Jordan and B.Novo made life more comfortable in the second.
On his 31st birthday, Stankovic helped inspire hope of a Swiss recovery while Hodel put his side within one goal, but there was to be no equaliser to cap an absorbing encounter.
In the final match of the day, Russia joined group rivals Portugal on maximum points, edging home favourites Italy 5-3.
The Russians were given fleeting scares but ultimately spoiled the party as Nikonorov, Ilinskii, Makarov, Paporontnyi and Shkarin all found the target.
Palmacci’s brace was not enough for Italy, who were without injured forward Gori and will look to regroup against Switzerland on Friday.
Earlier in the day, Belarus were unable to produce a repeat of their Siofok displays as they fell 5-4 to Ukraine in a gripping contest.
Marco Octavio’s men picked up big wins against Russia and Portugal to top the group in Hungary a fortnight ago and, despite equalising three times, Ukraine’s attacking class eventually shone as Zborovskyi and a Korniichuk stunner helped Ukraine to the points.
Spain moved top of a fledgling Division A, Group One with a convincing 6-2 win against Germany as Antonio’s early brace helped them into a 3-0 lead.
Although Beqiri and Thurk provided Germany hope with goals either side of Cintas’ effort, well-taken late goals from Ezequiel and captain Juanma capped a comfortable win for the five-time champions as they edged ahead of Ukraine on goal difference.
In the Promotion Final, England eased to a 7-1 win against the Czech Republic, David Jones’ men moving 3-0 ahead before Salak got the Czechs’ solitary goal of the contest, although the consolation provided fleeting resistance as England pulled clear late on.
Ultimately, a hat-trick from Day along with braces from Temple and Clarke gave England an ideal start to their Division B, Group Two campaign,
Hungary made a strong claim to return to Division A, as they made fairly clear in their opening game with a 9-4 win againsy Romania.
Romania will find it very difficult now to keep their Division A berth after the defeat inflicted by Hungary while Azerbaijan will fancy their chances of promotion after twice coming from behind to see off Turkey and join England on maximum points in Division B, Group Two.
Having fought from a goal down to lead at the end of the first period, Azerbaijan again fell behind as Semih and Cem Keskin scored inside the opening minute of the restart for Turkey.
However, Ilkin, Sabir and Abdul completed another Azerbaijan turnaround, while the remaining game of the day saw a brace from Truusalu guide Estonia to a 4-2 win over Moldova.
Friday’s results
Czech Republic 1-7 England
Moldova 2-4 Estonia
Turkey 3-5 Azerbaijan
Hungary 9-4 Romania
Belarus 4-5 Ukraine
Portugal 6-5 Switzerland
Germany 2-6 Spain
Russia 5-3 Italy
Saturday fixtures
Czech Republic v Turkey
Moldova v Hungary
Azerbaijan v England
Romania v Estonia
Belarus v Germany
Russia v Portugal
Spain v Ukraine
Switzerland v Italy
