Kristall comfortably on top after first round of Russian League

The St. Petersburg club remain undefeated after the four matches in Saratov

Round 1 of the Russian Beach Soccer Championships came to an end in Saratov on Sunday as Kristall edged a thrilling final-day match against Spartak Moscow to remain undefeated in the league this season.

The opening stage of the 2021 league was played from 19 to 23 May at the Ice Sports Palace in Saratov, Russia.

Kristall opened their account against CSKA on Wednesday, who they beat 8-6. Krylia Sovetov were the next to fall by four goals to one, then came a 6-0 thumping of Delta and an exciting final-day meeting against Spartak saw Schirinzi’s men struggle but eventually walk away with all three points.

The current European champions sit top of the table on 12 points while Spartak are in second after dropping essential points at the penalty spot in the Moscow derby.

The defending champions, Lokomotiv Moscow are in need of points in the coming rounds if they are to catch up with their rivals and challenge to retain their national title, having won two and lost two in Saratov.

Level with them on six points is Delta, while Lex have five and CSKA and Krylia Sovetov share the space at the bottom of the table, after having won one match each.

Kristall finished in third place in the previous edition of the Russian league, but went on to win both the Euro Winners Cup and the Russian Cup later in the 2020 season, and Angelo Schirinzi’s squad have shown their intent on reclaiming the Russian Beach Soccer Championship.

Lokomotiv Moscow’s Boris Nikonorov is currently leading the scoring charts with seven goals, while his teammate Zemskov is one behind with six.

The next stage of the Russia Beach Soccer Championships will be played from 2 – 6 June in St. Petersburg.

FIXTURES

19/05

Kristall 8-6 CSKA

Spartak 5-2 Krylia Sovetov

Lokomotiv 3-5 Delta

20/05

Krylia Sovetov 5-6 Lex

Spartak 4(3)-(1)4 Lokomotiv

CSKA 3-7 Delta

21/05

Lokomotiv 8-4 CSKA

Kristall 4-1 Krylia Sovetov

Delta 4-5 Lex *AET

22/05

Krylia Sovetov 4-5 CSKA  

Spartak 4-3 Lex

Delta 0-6 Kristall  

23/05

Lex 2-8 Lokomotiv

Spartak 3-4 Kristall

Delta 2-3 Krylia Sovetov

STANDINGS

1st – Kristall

2nd – Spartak

3rd – Delta

4th – Lokomotiv 

5th – Lex 

6th – CSKA 

7th – Krylia Sovetov 

For full details on the Russian Beach Soccer Championship visit bsrussia.com.