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After the sweet beginning by the hosts, Russia offered another scaring power display and Spain edged Portugal
The Oranges managed a solid win over Greece to place themselves in a privileged position to attempt for the Promotion Final berth. Never too close, never too far, The Netherlanders knew how to handle the Greeks in their first game in the Euro Beach Soccer League this season to build a convincing victory that gives them the best options to get into the fight for a Division A license next week in Moscow. Kokmeijer’s lads will now need to win England in tomorrow’s decisive game to make this possibility come true.
Although seeing themselves in Division B, the talented style that brought the Dutch to the second place in 2008 Euro Beach Soccer League, only behind Portugal, uses to show up at some stages of the game, and, depending how long these stages are, the more difficult they are to beat. Greece was faced to that when two great moves by key players Van Geldermalsen and Koswal merited a 2-0 by mid first period. That advantage the Hellenic would never manage to wash off, as any time Gialessakis men got closer to the Orange, a new Dutch hit restored the gap.
That patter brought the game to the final 4-2, achieved by Holland’s number nine, Van Geldermalsen, who brilliantly tricked his marker to tap the ball in with his left foot. With these three points, The Netherlands have everything in their hands to become one of the six teams to fight next week in Moscow for the top-flight place.
Goals: 1-0: Van Geldermalsen, min. 7 (1); 2-0: Koswal, min. 5 (1); 2-1: Kavalaris, min. 0 (1); 3-1: Ax, min. 10 (2); 3-2: Charalampidis, min. 10 (3); 4-2: Van Geldermalsen, min. 5 (3)
Russian roller does not ease off
Russia keeps adding names to their ‘victim list’. The Russian seem stronger than ever and they keep on inflicting a severe punishment to any opponent they may play against. Poland were the ones to face them today, only to see Likhachev’s lads run over them for a loud 6-1. With 15 points out of 15, it is going to be really hard, if possible, for anyone to get them out of the first place of the season chart. Only Portugal might have this chance…
In a similar way as happened yesterday with Spain, Russia found a cheeky resistance from Poland during the first period, in which Gorecki equalized Shaylov’s opener for the 1-1. But, when the Russian machinery was already warm, there was nothing the Polish could do, other than standing up in proud after every hit. With three goals, Shaykov became the most valuable player of the game, with Krasheninnikov, Shishin and Shkarin to complete the heavy win.
Only after achieving the uncontestable 6-1 by mid second period, Russia lowered their pace a little bit, acknowledging that they need to be in full shape to face those who may be regarded as their main contester in the continent, Portugal, in a match that could decide the winner in this Euro Beach Soccer League – The Hague 2011.
Goals: 1-0: Shaykov, min. 9 (1); 1-1: Gorecki, min. 8 (1); 2-1: Krasheninnikov, min. 7 (1); 3-1: Shkarin, min. 4 (1); 4-1: Shaykov, min. 9 (2); 5-1: Shishin, min. 5 (2); 6-1: Shaykov, min. 3 (2)
Spain edge current champions
Spaniards made up for their heavy defeat yesterday in the sweetest possible way, bending current continental Kings Portugal in an amazingly leveled match. With this win, Joaquin’s team will have the chance tomorrow of getting into the Superfinal in a really honoured position, as a victory over Poland could even get them the first place. This is not something easy to happen, though, as Russia would need to loudly fall to Portugal just before Spain had achieved an outrageous win over Poland. But, in beach soccer, never say never…
The Iberian combat began with Belchior sweeping Portugal ahead by mid first period, and with Spain seemingly unable to counteract that dominion. But things changed drastically right after the kick off signal in the second one, as Nico leveled things back with a long-range attempt. After that hit, forces became more balanced and it was Spain the ones to get in command, thanks to Juanma and Jorge.
That two goal gap was worth enough for Spain to clinch the points, since Graça’s latter attempt from further the halfway line came too late, and was not enough to get in the comeback track. So, Spain, with 12 points so far faces a golden chance to reach Moscow in a privileged position regarding the fixture disposal in the Superfinal. They will need to beat thirsty Poland, first, and this is nothing easy…
Goals: 1-0: Belchior, min. 5 (1); 1-1: Nico, min. 11 (2); 1-2: Juanma, min. 10 (2); 1-3: Jorge, min. 5 (3); 2-3: Graça, min. 1 (3)
EURO BEACH SOCCER LEAGUE – THE HAGUE 2011
Game results:
Friday, July 29th
Poland 5 – 6 Portugal
Russia 9 – 3 Spain
England 2 – 5 Greece
Saturday, July 30th:
15.45h: Netherland 4 – 2 Greece
17.00h: Russia 6 – 1 Poland
18.15h: Portugal 2 – 3 Spain
Matches for tomorrow:
Sunday, July 31st:
15.45h: Netherland vs. England
17.00h: Spain vs. Poland
18.15h: Portugal vs. Russia
