The hosts also qualify to the 2023 European Games in Poland after beating Turkiye in the final
– Moldova win 2022 EBSL Division B
– The hosts also qualify for European Games 2023
– Moldova’s Cojocari and Istrati claim individual awards
Promotion was already in the bag for the Moldovan hosts, but they put on one last incredible show in their state-of-the-art stadium in Chisinau to win Division B, and seal a place at the 2023 European Games in Poland.
Their captain Cojocari and keeper Istrati won the MVP and Best Goalkeeper trophies, while the Top Scorer went to Katsoulis from Greece, who scored eight goals.
Remember that you can watch all of the matches, as well as the highlights, on Recast!
Final
Moldova down Turkiye in the final
Undefeated hosts Moldova took to the sand in their amazing home stadium one last time in the 2022 Euro Beach Soccer League, to take on Turkiye for the Division B title, and a place at the European Games 2023.
The stakes were high, and the home team were quickest out of the traps, as three goals were put away in the opening period by three of the most prolific goal-scorers at the tournament, Negara, Podlesnov and Cojocari.
The event’s Best Goalkeeper Istrati kept Turkiye out, while at the other end of the pitch, Ignat, in a bizarre case of Déjà vu, struck a loose ball the length of the pitch in a goal which was remarkably similar to the one he scored last year which went on to win Goal of the Year at the Beach Soccer Stars in Dubai.
With a 4-1 lead, a Cem Keskin double wasn’t enough to turn the match around for Turkiye, and a final goal from tournament MVP Cojocari had the crowd on their feet for the last time before the final whistle, when the stadium exploded in celebration.
Moldova will play in the EBSL Division A next year, and will also be heading to Poland for the European Games.
Greece take third as Katsoulis claims Top Scorer
In a fierce battle for third, Greece held off a late Kazakh rally to claim the third spot in the Euro Beach Soccer League Moldova. Both sides had already secured their places in Division A for the 2023 season, and they showed real quality in the goals they scored. Top Scorer in Moldova, Katsoulis, netted an early brace taking his tournament tally to eight, and it was these two strikes which would mark the difference in the third-place playoff.
Kazakhstan rallied in the final period to pull the score back to 4-3, courtesy of Gulyy and Yershin, but Triantafyllidis wrapped up the points for the Ethniki, sealing third place with a final score of 5-3.
Enis wins fifth place for Romania in ET
Latvia had impressed in their 2022 EBSL campaign, but fell to Romania on the final day in Moldova after a tight match ended with a dramatic Extra Time winner. The three periods of normal time finished with the scoreline at 2-2, and then i Enis found space to put away the winner in the added three minutes to clinch fifth for Constantin’s men.
Late winner sees Denmark finish seventh
Captain Clarke continued his goalscoring form for England, taking his final tally to six for the campaign, but it was a late goal from Rædkjær which snatched victory for Denmark in the final period. Denmark coach Terry Bowe’s defeats his countrymen on the final day in Chisinau to claim seventh place in the 2023 Euro Beach Soccer League Division B.
Norway claim ninth from the penalty spot
Partenadze and Makharadze put Georgia ahead in the first period of the battle for ninth on Sunday but Gaare pulled one back before the first break. The match remained tight and it looked as if Georgia had the win in the bag but Bidro equalised with 18 seconds on the clock to force Extra Time, then penalties, where Norway held their nerve to snatch a point and the ninth-place finish.
Lithuania take 11th as Makutunovičius bags hat-trick
Lithuania put nine past EBSL debutants Malta on the final day in Chisinau, as Plytnikas and Navickas opened the scoring in the first period. Makutunovičius went on to net a hat-trick which took the number nine momentarily into the Top Scorer position with seven goals. Zammits brace helped Malta get off the mark but they were well beaten as Lithuania claimed 11th place.
RESULTS
Final
Turkiye 3-5 Moldova
Playoffs
Kazakhstan 3-5 Greece (3rd-place playoff)
Latvia 2-3 Romania (5th-place playoff) *AET
Denmark 3-2 England (7rd-place playoff)
Georgia 3(2)-(4)3 Norway (9rd-place playoff)
Malta 4-9 Lithuania (11rd-place playoff)
For full details on the EBSL Moldova, including fixtures, results and standings, head to beachsoccer.com.
