Italy wins keep beach soccer buzzing in Catania

Beach soccer continues in Sicily after the Euro Winners Cup with the national team overcoming Iran.

Following the success of the Euro Winners Cup in Catania, beach soccer continues to thrive in Italy after the national team claimed back-to-back wins over Iran this week.

The Euro Winners Cup concluded on Sunday, Viareggio and Grasshopper Club Zurich claiming the men’s and women’s competitions respectively, with Tuesday and Wednesday seeing Italy take on Iran in two friendlies.

Both keenly contested affairs, Italy edged Tuesday’s contest 5-4 with the help of a hat-trick from Euro Winners Cup leading goalscorer Gori.

Marina and Di Palma were also on target for the hosts while Hoseini, Mesigar, Mokhtari and Ahmeadzadeh got on the scoresheet for Iran.

Wednesday saw Gori continue his impressive form, scoring alongside Marrucci, Palmacci and Marinai in a 4-3 win as Ahmeadzadeh (2) and Naderi reduced the arrears for Mirshamsi Mohammadh’s men.

A fruitful outing for both sides, spectators were treated to two hard-fought international matches, with club beach soccer also on the menu for the Sicilian city this week.

The preliminary round of the Coppa Italia took place on Wednesday as Romagna BS beat Atletico Licata while Napoli BS saw off Lazio BS.

Thursday will see eight first-round matches featuring a host of Serie A teams such as Euro Winners Cup champions Viareggio and home favourites Catania BS.