Res Roma becomes the first Italian women?s Beach Soccer champions after thrilling victory over Mestre
You see Beach Soccer nearly everywhere, you hear about Beach Soccer across the globe, and now after significant work and progress, women?s Beach Soccer is deservedly taking its place on the main stage. All over the world nations are realizing the power, potential, and need for women?s leagues. Such countries as Switzerland, Brazil, obviously Italy, and there are even courses in Iran as well. These and other nations have already created exciting and competitive all-female leagues that have been working to perfection. After an extremely successful Italian Beach Soccer season, Res Roma defeated Mestre 4-1 to claim the title.
Res Roma and Mestre came to the championship match after very tough runs in this inaugural event. Res Roma played in the first ever-female Beach Soccer derby against Milan. Res Roma won by final score of 3-1. Mestre faced just as difficult a semi-final match against Ads Terracina. Mestre inspired with their defensive intensity as well as offensive ingenuity to overcome Ads Terracina 5-3.
The final was set and both deserving teams wanted nothing more than to be champions. The first period saw Res Roma come out quickly and put Mestre in a 2-0 hole after two specatular goals, including one that ricocheted off the top bar and went into the net. Mestre was not to be denied much longer and they used their speed to get into the penalty area and draw a foul. Mestre did not miss and halved the lead of Res Roma at that point. With another burst of two quick goals, Res Roma went up late in the period and held off the Mestre rally, wining 4-1.
The women?s Beach Soccer world has been growing for years in some countries and will only be getting bigger. In fact, apart from the Iranian, Swiss, Brazilian and Italian women?s leagues success, Jelena Otten, a Dutch ex-pat goalkeeper playing for Barçadoha was playing in the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup 2013 ? AFC Qualifier Qatar this past January, won the best goalkeeper award of the tournament. Among men. This is proof that women in Beach Soccer and women?s Beach Soccer are here to stay.
