Movers of the Month: Poland

Victory in Jesolo this month moves the Poles into beach soccer’s top 15.

Poland are the Movers of the Month for September after claiming some memorable scalps en route to success at the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup qualifier in Jesolo.

The Poles beat the likes of European champions Ukraine, two-time World Cup winners Russia and the world’s fifth best side Switzerland to spring a major surprise and win the qualification tournament in style.

Not only will Marcin Stanislawski’s side be heading to the Bahamas as a result, they also climb 22 places to 15th in the official beach soccer world rankings.

Beaten Jesolo finalists Switzerland are up two spots to fifth.

World champions Portugal remain top of the pile – ahead of Russia – after finishing third at the qualifier with Italy jumping above Brazil following their run to the semi-finals.

There were also ranking boosts for the likes of the Czech Republic, the Netherlands, Moldova and Norway, who all moved into the world’s top 50 after plucky displays in Jesolo.

The September ranking also takes into account the culmination of the recent Euro Beach Soccer League, with eventual winners Ukraine staying in ninth after their win in the final against former champions Portugal.

Azerbaijan clinched the Promotion Final in Catania and move up five places to 33rd while beaten finalists Hungary slip a place to 17th, having only managed a 15th-place finish in Jesolo.