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MY BEACH SOCCER 
Final day saw Levante earns 1st win and Boca Juniors cruise while FC Barcelona and Lokomotiv Moscow win thrillers
The 6-4 triumph for FC Lokomotiv Moscow over CR Flamengo was back-and-forth and from kick-off until the final whistle, it was anybody’s guess as to who the king would be. Flamengo started things off, but it was not until late in the period, and that late goal awoke the offensive minded spirits that are so common in beach soccer. The teams combined for four goals, even though they all came with 3 minutes or less remaining on the clock. The see-saw struggle continued until late in the final period, when the Russian team got the final go-ahead goal they needed as well as a nice insurance goal. In this elite competition, the best rose to the top and the top clubs from around the world saw clubs from two of the best National Selections make the final and the win gave FC Lokomotiv Moscow another thing to brag about and put in their trophy case. CR Flamengo played an amazing match in front of a packed crowd, but they came up short today and they will hope to build on this runner-up finish in future events.
There is much made about coming up big or small in big moments, and part of that has to do with nerves, but these two teams in the biggest moment of the weekend were than attentive and very much so on defense, as they held each other scoreless until the final minutes in the period and at that point things became more than interesting. Flamengo nailed home two quick shots, though unfazed, the Russian club responded with their first goal, on a strike from Peremitin, which put the score at 2-1 for the Brazilian side. Lokomotiv was not done and netted the periods’ final goal on a penalty kick from Fernando and the game went into the second period tied at 2-all. The nearly unprecedented rapid outburst of goals in the closing minutes of the first frame did not initially carry over to the first minutes of the second period as many in-game adjustments were made by both coaches. Like in the opening frame, Moscow had put themselves in a precarious position as they were forced to come from behind as Fernando put Flamengo up 3-2. Again, the Russian club did exactly that, scoring the equalizer a few minutes after the midway point, setting the score at 3-3 until Leonov netted his first and his teams’ fourth to give Lokomotiv the 4-3 lead going into the final period.
The fans were delighted to begin the last 12 minutes as the first 24 had been stellar and the opening minutes did not disappoint anyone, with rocket shots being taken from all over the pitch and the goalkeeping was just as splendid as the offenses had been. The passing in the opening minutes of the third period were also a thing of beauty, with both teams showing off the superior talent. The skills though did not create anymore goals going into the final minutes of the match. The calm demeanor of both teams gave the impression that anything could happen and they could bounce back, as long as they had enough time to prove it. Flamengo was trailing late in the match but they were still asking most of the question and were not worried about leaving their defense exposed. The Russian side was not going leave their defense on an island and they sent an extra man back, however it did not stop the heroics of Leo, scoring his third of the match to tie the game at 4 with under three minutes left. The Brazilian side did not have much time to celebrate, as Leonov of Moscow scored his second of the match, restoring the one goal advantage at 5-4. Shaykov scored the insurance goal, his second on the day, to give Lokomotiv a 6-4 lead with two minutes remaining, and that is how the match would end, 6-4 for Lokomotiv.
Goals: 0-1: Leo, min. 3 (1); 0-2: Dmais, min. 2 (1); 1-2: Peremitin, min. 2 (1); 2-2: Fernando, min. 0 (1); 2-3: Leo, min. 6 (2); 3-3: Shaykov, min. 4 (2); 4-3: Leonov, min. 1 (2); 4-4: Leo, min. 2 (3); 5-4: Leonov, min. 2 (3); 6-4: Shaykov, min. 2 (3).
FC Barcelona pulls away from Sporting Portugal for 3rd place
The 6-3 win for FC Barcelona over Sporting Clube de Portugal was never a run-away and both teams put their best on display, as the mere sound of their shots indicated how powerful and refined they were. Barcelona had a little more pressure to win and perform as they were the hosts and wanted to finish on a strong note after losing their semi-final match. Barça began with the first goal and kept them coming, while only ceding three, in an effort that saw them double-up Sporting. The win leaves Barcelona in third place in the inaugural edition of this event. Sporting Clube de Portugal were just overpowered in this match, although they had their own flashes of championship caliber material. The loss gives Sporting very good 4th place finish among eight of the worlds’ best clubs.
FC Barcelona is internationally recognized as a champion and they nearly always carry themselves that, and despite playing in the 3rd place match and not the final, they started the game with a fire and desire that may have been lacking in their semi-final loss. That did not matter on Sunday, the last day of they event they were hosting, and Bruno Xavier made sure to give his Catalan team the first lead. Sporting was not able to generate much offense but their defense was strong as they only gave up the one goal and the first break arrived with Barça up by a score of 1-0. The middle frame began just as exciting, but more so for Sporting Clube de Portugal as they netted their first and the equalizer on a deadly direct kick from their prolific goal scorer, Belchior. The score stayed at 1-1 for only a few minutes as Barça had an answer, on a low and bouncing shot from Nico, which put the score at 2-1 in favour of the club from Catalonia. Loren wanted in on the scoresheet and he left no doubt when he took a pass from Ozu and made sure to slot home the shot, putting his club up 3-1 going into the last 12 minutes.
The biggest names have showed up for Barça every day, one day Amarelle or Llorenç, or another dayBruno Javier or Ott, band the final period on this day belonged to Dona. The Spanish goalkeeper is arguably the best keeper in the world and he more than did his part defensively but on a day of sharing, passing, and nice assists, Dona scored twice on his own, from the goalies’ box and the last one gave his side a 5-1 lead. The lead looked safe but that did not keep FC Barcelona from doing what they set out to do, win. Oz. scored his first of the, late in the period, and that score put the game at 6-1 for Barça. Madjer is always a treat to score and sometimes it is like he cannot help it, if he wants to score he does, and he did late in the game, to get Sporting back to within four goals but it was not enough and when the clock reached 0’s, FC Barcelona had earned the 6-3 win.
Goals: 1-0: Bruno Xavier, min. 5 (1); 1-1: Belchior, min. 10 (2); 2-1: Nico, min. 7 (2); 3-1: Llorenç, min. 0 (2); 4-1: Dona, min. 11 (3); 5-1: Dona, min. 8 (3); 6-1: Ozu, min. 3 (3); 6-2: Madjer, min. 3 (3); 6-3: Belchior, min. 0 (3).
Boca Juniors leave Barcelona with 2 wins and 5th place
The 6-2 victory for CA Boca Juniors against Valencia CF was convincing and exciting as you never knew when and where the goals were coming from, from who, or if a magnificent block or save would be the result of any given strike. Boca began the scoring in the first minute and the momentum was built and carried over into the second period, despite a push from Valencia, who were holding out hopes for a big comeback. A fairly quiet final frame was not enough to deter Boca from the overwhelming win. The victory was the second in three games for the Argentina club and they finished the Cup in a very respectable 5th place. Valencia played tough matches and were never a slouch on the pitch, winning their second match, on Saturday, and they will depart from Barcelona in 6th place.
The matches over the course of the day gained importance and pressure as no one wants to lose, let alone at an event such as this one and the fifth place match began with a rapid-fire pace but the bicycles, scissor kicks and acrobatics did not produce more than one early Boca goal, from Novo. The Argentine club stayed the course and held the lead until just after the midway point in the opening frame when Novo scored his second of the period to put his side up 2-0. Damian added a last second goal to push the first period lead to 3-0, and that is how the opening 12 minutes would end. The second period had goals and exciting saves, but it was Miguel of Valencia who opened the scoring in the middle frame but it was Boca Juniors who took matters into their own hands, refusing to lose, and wanting to earn their second win in three games. Boca scored two more back-to-back goals, the first from Novo, giving him a hat-trick before the second period had even finished and the Argentinean club finished the period up 5-1.
Valencia asked much of their keeper throughout the match and he was playing very well in the early minutes of the final frame, making diving saves and keeping the ball out with just fingertip stops, but the Spanish clubs’ offense could still not get going and they remained in a four goal hole, at 5-1, going into the halfway point of the period. Boca, with the help of their large fan base, created a rowdy atmosphere that would be difficult for any team to play against, and they netted another goal, the second from Vivas, to take a 6-1 lead lead into the match. Valencia was determined to get back closer and spend much of the closing frame on the Boca half of the field, which led to their second goal, late in the period, putting the score at 6-2, still for Boca. The club from Spain could not get any closer and when the match concluded, the final score was 6-2 for Boca.
Goals: 0-1: Novo, min.11 (1); 0-2: Novo, min. 5 (1); 0-3: Damian, min. 0 (1); 1-3: Miguel, min. 8 (2); 1-4: Novo, min. 5 (2); 1-5: Vivas, min. 4 (2); 1-6: Vivas, min. 4 (3); 2-6: Jawi, min. 3 (3).
Levante gets first win and 7th place
The 3-1 win for Levante UD over Bate Borisov close and defensive with the goals that did come being even more important. The scores were spectacular also, as the players and teams were deterrent to put on a good show for the fans. Levante were the first to score and they looked precise en doing so, but it was Bate Borisov who seemed like the more determined side, but the score never reflected that and two late third period goals for Levante, to only one score all match for the Belorussian club, left the Spanish side up by two goals after the match ended. Both teams were searching for their first win and Levante UD were the ones to win and give themselves outright 7th place. Bate Borisov was a tough force and team to play against but they finished the Barcelona Beach Soccer Cup without any win and in 8th place.
In their final matches of the weekend, Levante and Bate Borisov were careful not to open themselves up to a defensive error or mishap and both sides took their offensive duties seriously, and took only calculated shots on goal. The teams played to a stalemate in the opening and middle portions of the period, but the score changed and the pace was altered when Jony of Levante UD scored and nifty placed direct kick, and the Spanish club took a 1-0 lead into the first break. The Belarus club started the second 12 minutes with good opportunities to score and level things at 1, but those chances went missing and the score stayed at 1-0 for Levante going into the heart of the match. The side from Spain from constantly on the run, but in the wrong direction as Bate was attacking more and more but Levanted utilized a sturdy back line to prevent any damage.
The first period may have been the only goal as the match went into the final period, but the action was far from slow, with both teams physically trying to push the other around and getting rewarded with direct kicks and corners and overall great set pieces, but those options did not bear anymore goals until Levante doubled their lead on the second goal from Jony, putting the score at 2-0 going into the final minutes of the game. The two goal advantage seemed safe with how proceedings had gone, but just to be safe, Aceiton added the third of the day for his Levante side, putting the score at 3-0. The game continued with Bate Borisov nearly scoring from every corner of the pitch, but the close-calls did not count and when they final buzzer sounded, the Belorussian side had found the back of the net, but only once and the score finished 3-1 for Levante.
Goals: 1-0: Jony, min. 2 (1); 2-0: Jony, min. 7 (3); 3-0: Aceiton, min. 4 (3); 3-1: Bryshtsel, min. 2 (3).
BARCELONA BEACH SOCCER CUP 2015
Results Today:
Sunday 03.05.15
12:00 – Levante UD 3-1 Bate Borisov (7th Place Match)
13:15 – Valencia CF 2-6 CA Boca Juniors (5th Place Match)
14:30 – FC Barcelona 6-3 Sporting Clube de Portugal (3rd Place Match)
15:45 – FC Lokomotiv Moscow 6-4 CR Flamengo (Final)
Final Standings:
Winner: FC Lokomotiv Moscow
Runner-up: CR Flamengo
Third Place: FC Barcelona
Fourth Place: Sporting Clube de Portugal
Individual Award Winners:
Best Goalkeeper: Bukhlitskiy (FC Lokomotiv Moscow)
Top Scorer: Llorenç (FC Barcelona), Leo (CR Flamengo)
MVP: Amarelle (FC Barcelona)
