Four teams play opening matches in Nazaré as groups begin to take shape
Perfect form continued for Spain’s Higicontrol Melilla and Poland’s Lady Grembach, as a normal time win on matchday two saw them hit six points.
The two sides, who have never won the competition before, are now within striking distance of the next round.
The current holders, WFC Zvezda, re-join the action tomorrow to try and reignite qualification hopes, while former Euro Winners Cup champions Havana Shots have only played (and won) one game so far and cannot be discounted at this early stage.
Click here for all of today’s matches and highlights.
Group A
The Italians of Lokrians Beach Club gave an awkward welcome to the Euro Winners Cup to Madrid CFF, going toe-to-toe with the Spanish throughout the match.
At the end of the third period the sides were drawn at 3-3, but in the added three minutes Madrid found that all important winning goal. However, they still sit behind today’s rivals on points, having dropped one to extra time.
They will play the local Nazaré team, ACD O Sotao, tomorrow for their chance to top the group.
Group B
In the day’s second game that had to be settled in extra time, CFP Cáceres Femenino burst into Group B by dealing a hard blow to Stade de Reims, the day after the French had beaten the defending champions, WFC Zvezda.
At the close of the final period, the sides had managed four goals apiece, and number five came from the Spanish side who took two points as the reward.
Stade de Reims finish the group stage on three points and will now be hoping that yesterday’s rivals can beat today’s, when they meet tomorrow.
Group C
Four goals from Margaux Dautun wrapped up the points in a tight game for Marseille Beach Team against Beach Soccer DTS Ede, which finished 4-6 in favour of the French.
In the next match Higicontrol Melilla defeated ASD Terracina Femminile by four goals to two, and the Spanish go top of the group on six points, with one game left to play.
The final matchday in Group C sees Beach Soccer DTS Ede Women looking to bag their first points against Higicontrol Melilla, while ASD Terracina Femminile will take on Marseille Beach Team.
Group D
2017 Euro Winners Cup champions, Switzerland’s BSC Havana Shots Aargau, had a tough job beating their first Group D opponents today, as Red Devils Ladies Chojnice defended their lines well.
However, despite soaking up pressure well, they didn’t manage to get off the mark and find the net and the two occasions that Havana Shots broke through the defense to convert were enough to wrap up the three points.
After suffering two defeats Red Devils are out of the running for the next round, and Havana Shot will meet AIS Playas de San Javier tomorrow for the first-place play-off.
Group E
Roses Platja joined the Euro Winners Cup today, and the Spanish representation in Group E kicked off the campaign in style, with an 8-1 defeat of Nomme Kalju.
The Estonians went into the match with a disadvantage after their captain suffered an injury in yesterday’s match, and were overwhelmed by the Spanish fire power, managing just a single goal as a consolation.
A brace from Andrea helped Roses Platja move level on points with Lady Terracina in the Group E battle.
Group F
Day one’s victors, Lady Grembach EE Lodz (Poland) and Djurgardens IF FF (Sweden), met on match day two for the chance to go top of Group F.
Two goals from Barbara Colodetti and Katarzyna Borowiec clinched the topspot for Lady Grembach, while at the other end of the group, Fundacio Terrassa FC 1906 were looking for their first points against the group’s Dutch side, Beach Soccer Zeeland.
Aina Torres scored a double for the Spanish, which proved the difference between the sides as Fundacio Terrassa took the three points after a 2-4 victory, going level on points with Djurgardens IF FF.
Remember that all games will be streamed live at beachsoocer.com/live!
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