Division B groups start getting defined, with first teams inching closer to the EBSL Promotion Final
Many teams took a step closer to making the Superfinal and Promotion Final in Figueira da Foz today, as the groups begin to take shape at the Euro Beach Soccer League in Catania.
The Azzurri registered their second win in two days against France, just the same as Belarus, who they will combat tomorrow to reach Figueira da Foz as the best teams in Catania.
Italy 6-3 France
Italy overcame France’s spirited first minutes to end up prevailing in this second matchday of the Euro Beach Soccer League they are hosting in Catania. The Azzurri reacted after Bru’s opener to consistently build a win that gets them in the Superfinal of the Euro Beach Soccer League.
Les Bleus tried to counteract Gori’s opener, and eventually did with Bru’s first goal of the evening, only to fin, though, Paolo Palmacci, top scorer of the game today, give the Azzurri the advantage back before the end of the period.
Palmacci would be, without a doubt the main protagonist of the Transalpine game today, with three goals. Three goals that have helped him get to the historic figure of 220 hits for Italy. Josep Junior and Zurlo contributed in a second period in which the hosts would found their win today, making the score 6-2.
France tried what seemed impossible, but only managed to pull one back, thanks to Bru’s penalty kick effort. The final 6-3 keep Italy on top of the table in the Division A pool of this Euro Beach Soccer League Catania 2019, head to head with Belarus, who the Azzurri will take on tomorrow to see who goes to the Euro Beach Soccer League Superfinal as the best team in this second regular phase stage.
Goals: 1-0: Gori, min. 8(1); 1-1: Bru, min. 4(1); 2-1: Palmacci, min. 1(1); 3-1: Palmacci, min. 7(2); 4-1: Josep JR, min. 5(2); 5-1: Zurlo, min. 5 (2); 5-2: Leblanc, min. 4 (2); 6-2: Palmacci, min. 1(2); 6-3: Bru, min. 2(3)
Belarus 3-2 Germany
The Belarusian National Team stay on top of the table at this Euro Beach Soccer League Catania 2019 following a narrow win over a spirited German side that keep their records perfect here in Sicily.
Germany had given the hosts Italy a good run in yesterday’s match but walked away with no points. Belarus won their match against France and faced another tough test today.
The sides both formed threatening attack but were unable to find the back of the net, thanks in part to the acrobatics of both goalkeepers.
The deadlock was eventually broken when Ryabko was on target for Belarus deep into the second period. However, an equalizer came quickly thanks to Sascha Weirauch’s effort.
Belarus, still savouring their historic FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup Qualification, did not want to lose the Euro Beach Soccer League Superfinal either, and reacted before that second leg was over, with Chaikovski sweeping Nico Alvarado’s side ahead once again.
Everything seemed to get more comfortable when Hapon widened the gap with the 3-1 at the beginning of the last period, but Metzler made sure that the fight was not over just one minute later. Despite they kept trying, Germany would not find the equalizer they were longing for, and Belarus escaped with three more points that will allow them take on Italy tomorrow in search of the final win in this Euro Beach Soccer League Catania 2019.
Goals: 1-0: Ryabko, min. 8 (2); 1-1: Weirauch, min. 8 (2); 2-1: Chaikovski, min. 0 (2); 3-1: Hapon, min. 11 (3); 3-2: Metzler, min. 10 (3)
Romania 2-3 Greece
The Greeks had enjoyed a rest day on Friday after their match against Serbia was cancelled, but Romania had beaten first-timers Finland and were full of confidence.
However, Greece held firm at the back and kept out the dangerous Romanian strikers in an initial period of pressure. The score remained untouched all the way through the first period and the stalemate continued deep into the second.
Nikolaos’ men eventually broke the deadlock with just 16 seconds of the second period to go when Mikelatos struck. Then, with just a second left, Pipinis converted a penalty and Romania had work to do in the final third.
Lympousis made it three in the last 12 minutes but this was when Romania finally got going. Even a late brace from Ciocanel wasn’t enough to salvage the match, and Greece take an opening win in Catania.
Goals: 0-1: Mikelatos, min. 0 (2); 0-2: Pipinis, min. 0 (2); 0-3: Lympousis, min. 8 (3); 1-3: Ciocanel, min. 2 (3); 2-3: Ciocanel, min. 1 (3);
Kazakhstan 3(1)-(3)3 Czech Republic
Having taken victory in their first matches, either Czech Republic or Kazakhstan were about to make it two out of two and head to the top of Group 2.
Perevyortov opened the scoring but soon after Yeraly deflected a shot into his own net to level up. Stejstal then hit a peach in off the upright to take the lead and soon after Hurab then scored his fourth of the weekend when he beat the onrushing Chornyy to a high ball and chip the keeper.
The Czechs were in real control as the second period began but the Kazakh slowly clawed their way back into the match and two wonderful shot from Demeshko and Bogdanov balanced the match up.
The match went all the way to extra time and each side battled hard for a winner and avoid losing another point by going to penalties. But it never came and the fixture was decided from the spot where the Czech Republic held their nerve to net all three, and claim a precious point.
Goals: 1-0: Perevyortov, min. 8 (1); 1-1: Yeraly (OG), min. 7 (1); 1-2: Stejstal, min. 5 (1); 1-3: Hurab, min. 3 (1); 2-3: Demeshko, min. 8 (2); 3-3: Bogdanov, min. 6 (2);
PSO: 0-1: Hurab, scored; 1-1: Demeshko, scored; 1-2: Klima, scored; 1-2: Yeraly, missed; 1-3: Pekarek, scored;
Hungary 5-4 Estonia *AET
The Group 3 frontrunners met in what had all the makings of a close match-up but Estonia were much quicker off the mark. Lepik had a brace after four minutes and a stroke of fortune for Marmor’s men saw Turos turn into his own net to make it three.
Hungary trailed by three at the first whistle and, despite upping their attack and managing to close out the Estonian strikers, they couldn’t break through themselves.
Besenyei finally got Ughy’s men off the mark in the last 12 minutes, but their play became more frantic and it allowed Estonia to counter attack on several occasions. But Fekete managed to find the net and then, with just seconds on the clock, Turos made up for his earlier own goal with a sweet strike to force extra time!
Each side scored again in the added three minutes to make it 4-4 and it looked as if penalties were immanent, until Turos pulled off the impossible again! He glanced a sublime heeled flick past the keeper with moments of extra time to go, wrapping up two vital points for Hungary and completing an incredible comeback.
Goals: 0-1: Lepik, min. 10 (1); 0-2: Turos (OG), min. 10 (1); 0-3: Lepik, min. 8 (1); 1-3: Besenyei, min. 10 (3); 2-3: Fekete, min. 6 (3); 3-3: Turos, min. 0 (3); 3-4: Lepik, min. 1 (ET); 4-4: Rutai, min. 1 (ET); 5-4: Turos, min. 0 (ET);
England 5-4 Netherlands
After tasting defeat in their opening matches both the English and Dutch had a clear agenda today and the match started at a very high pace.
Clarke capitalized on a goalkeeping error to slot in number one but Van Gelder soon hit an equailiser. However, two more strikes from the England number ten, one a sublime scissor kick and the other a cool penalty, saw the Lions lead after 12 minutes.
England dominated possession but Van Der Bent reduced the gap to just one again in the second period. The two-goal cushion was restored going into the final period, as Cameron O’Rourke calmly netted a penalty after being brought down in the area.
Van Gelder claimed a brace to take the score to a tantalizing 4-3 and the Dutch were right back in it. Younie and Kampman got themselves on the scoresheet as another goal went in at each end, and this kept the match tense until the last kick.
But the Mitchell’s men held on to their narrow advantage for a precious three points, as the Dutch slip to the bottom of the group.
Goals: 1-0: Clarke, min. 10 (1); 1-1: Van Gelder, min. 9 (1); 2-1: Clarke, min. 7 (1); 3-1: Clarke, min. 7 (1); 3-2: Van Der Bent, min. 7 (2); 4-2: O’Rourke, min. 7 (2); 4-3: Van Gelder, min. 8 (3); 5-3: Younie, min. 3 (3); 5-4: Kampman, min. 3 (3);
Moldova 0-6 Lithuania
Both Moldova and Lithuania had just missed out by thin margins the previous day and therefore both went into today’s match on zero points, and with ground to make up.
Lithuania burst into action in their second test at the Euro Beach Soccer League 2019, and lead going into the first break with a comfortable three goals to none, courtesy of Plytnikas, Lebedev and Graiciunas.
Moldova made a clear effort to slow the barrage of attacks and despite a fine Plytnikas effort finding the net, the match seemed to have balanced out.
But the third period represented a huge challenge for Arlet Vasilii’s side with time running out. A Meskinis double in the final period wrapped up the points for the Lithuanians who move of the bottom of the group, while Moldova remain in fourth.
Goals: 0-1: Plytnikas, min. 9 (1); 0-2: Lebedev, min. 6 (1); 0-3: Graiciunas, min. 5 (1); 0-4: Plytnikas, min. 7 (2); 0-5: Meskinis, min. 5 (3); 0-6: Meskinis, min. 0 (3);
Stay up to date of the fixtures, results and standings of the Euro Beach Soccer League Catania 2019 on the Beach Soccer Worldwide website.
