STORE 
MY BEACH SOCCER 
Seven teams are ensured of their qualification progress after Sunday’s play.
Italy and Portugal made certain of their place in the next stage of FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup qualifying as group winners on Sunday, the latter doing so courtesy of a brace from Madjer, who moved to 1,001 international goals in the process.
Elsewhere, Turkey, Moldova, Russia, Germany and France ensured progression as Groups A and B drew to a close.
Group A
Hosts Italy will contest the second group stage of European qualification after edging Belarus 2-1.
With three points from two games going into the clash, Belarus’ hopes were slim but they remained alive when Bryshtel cancelled out Ramacciotti’s opener late in the opening period.
However, once again, Italy’s saviour was Gori – who struck the winner before a tense final period as Italy progressed as Group A winners alongside runners-up Turkey.
The Turks had Baris and Kerem Sinc to thank for their 9-0 drubbing of Serbia – the pair weighing in with eight of their goals in a comprehensive success.
Coupled with Belarus’ defeat to Italy, the win ensured Turkey a ticket to the next stage with the aforementioned pair likely to prove key to any hopes of further progression.
Group B
Beach soccer great Madjer moved past 1,000 international goals as Portugal beat England 8-1.
The Portugal skipper registered his landmark goal from the spot, with Portugal already 2-0 up, and was presented with a framed shirt before attentions quickly turned returned to on-pitch matters.
Aside from Temple’s goal for England, it proved one-way traffic as the world champions signed off their first round campaign with a third win from three, Madjer also moving to 1,001 goals late on.
Moldova join them in progressing, thanks to a 7-3 win against Romania.
Romania were without a point going into the clash and found themselves 5-1 down early in the third period, as Moldova maintained momentum from Saturday’s 3-0 win over England.
The likes of I. Poste and Raj kept life interesting late on but hat-trick hero Podlesnov led his side through, with one game remaining in the group between leaders Portugal and England.
Group C
Two-time world champions Russia booked their ticket after holding off a tricky Norwegian side 4-2.
Everything looked rosy for the world’s second-ranked side when Paporotnyi’s brace had them 4-0 to the good after one period.
But a battling Norway side halved the arrears via goals from the Salveson brothers either side of the second interval, only for their efforts to fall short as Russia claimed the points that ensure them a place in the next round.
A 5-2 win over Kazakhstan ensures Germany will join them after guaranteeing a top-two finish.
Nils Boringschulte’s side were extra-time winners against Norway in their opening game but needed just three periods to see off Kazakhstan, with Lovchev at the double in their comfortable Group C success.
Group G
France will compete in the second group stage of European qualification for the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup after seeing off Bulgaria 6-2 on Sunday.
After victory against Azerbaijan, France moved three points clear in Group G and will finish in the top two after Barbotti’s brace helped keep a limited Bulgaria outfit at bay.
Bulgarian hopes of progression remain slim, while France will hope to finish with a perfect record against Hungary on Monday.
Azerbaijan continue to have a hold on Hungary, claiming a 7-3 win that gives them hope of continuing in the tournament.
The sides met in Siofok and the Promotion Final in Catania, with Azerbaijan winning both times, and Zeynal Zeynalov’s side once again ran out victors, eventually holding off a spirited Hungary effort with the help of braces from Sabir and Asif.
Sunday results
Germany 5-2 Kazakhstan
Hungary 3-7 Azerbaijan
Romania 3-7 Moldova
Turkey 9-0 Serbia
France 6-2 Bulgaria
Russia 4-2 Norway
Portugal 8-1 England
Italy 2-1 Belarus
Monday fixtures
Czech Republic v Georgia
Greece v Lithuania (Live broadcast)
Poland v Denmark (Live broadcast)
Switzerland v Netherlands (Live broadcast)
Norway v Kazakhstan
Spain v Estonia (Live broadcast)
Russia v Germany (Live broadcast)
