Double-digit victories for Portugal, Italy and Spain see Europe’s elite cruise into the next round
Azerbaijan, Switzerland, Poland, Belarus, Italy, Portugal, Spain and Russia all won in Tuesday’s matches to take yet another step closer to World Cup qualification.
The places in the final eight of the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup 2019 – Europe Qualifier Moscow were won by mainly wide margins.
That is, except for Azerbaijan who were taken all the way to the spot by Hungary, and it took an extra time winner for Poland to make the next round of group stages…can they go all the way to reach a second consecutive edition of the global showdown?
In the second group stage of the qualifier, Portugal, Poland, Italy and Belarus will contend in Group 1, while the Russian hosts will battle against Azerbaijan, Spain and Switzerland in Group 2.
Italy overcome Kazakhs reaction to seal big win
Italy seized a heavy win to get amongst the best eight in this FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup – Europe Qualifier Moscow. The Azzurri had to overcome Kazakhstan’s reaction in the second period, but ended up cruising to a big victory with an 8-0 run in the last period.
Two goals in the first minutes seemed to point to an easy afternoon for the Transalpine. Gori added to that advantage for the 3-0, and that was the moment in which Kazakhstan woke up, dragging Italy into a tough fight that would leave things at 4-4 by the end of second leg.
Italy understood that they needed to up their game up if they wanted to shake off the Kazakhs’ intense approach. And so they did, disarming their opponents’ resistance with a goal shower that left the score 12-4, confirming that Del Duca’s side will keep fighting for a place in the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup. That dream is over for Kazakhstan.
Goals: 1-0: Josep Jr, min. 5 (1); 2-0: Josep Jr, min. 1 (1); 3-0: Gori, min. 6 (2); 3-1: Muralinov, min. 6 (2); 3-2: Bogdanov, min. 3 (2); 4-2: Gori, min. 3 (2); 4-3: Makagon, min. 3 (2); 4-4: Azhikenov, min. 1 (2); 5-4: Gori, min 9 (3); 6-4: Palmacci, min. 9 (3); 7-4: Corosiniti, min. 8 (3); 8-4: Frainetti, min. 4 (3); 9-4: Palmacci, min. 3 (3); 10-4: Sciacca, min. 3 (3); 11-4: Palmacci, min. 2 (3); 12-4: Marinai, min. 2 (3)
Portugal hammer Lithuania to make next round
At these stages of the competition, the favourites to land FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup tickets prefer to leave no room for doubt in their progression. This is exactly what Portugal did today, storming past helpless Lithuania to secure a place amongst the best eight in the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup – Europe Qualifier Moscow.
A total of six players got on the list of Portugal’s scorers today: Leo Martins, Von Gonçalves, Rui Coimbra, Ruben Brilhante, Belchior, and Madjer, the latter bagging yet another hat-trick in his never-ending list of personal records.
Plytnikas shyly raised the voice for Lithuania when the score was already 7-1, but Portugal kept marching ahead to widen the distance until the final score hit 10-1.
Goals: 1-0: Madjer, min. 10 (1); 2-0: Belchior, min. 6 (1); 3-0: Leo Martins, min. 4 (1); 4-0: Von, min. 10 (2); 5-0: Coimbra, min. 7 (2); 6-0: Belchior, min. 7 (2); 7-0: Madjer, min. 3 (2); 7-1: Plytnikas, min. 2 (2); 8-1: Madjer, min. 3 (3); 9-1: André Lourenço, min. 2 (3); 10-1: Rúben Brilhante, min. 0 (3) Spain sweep aside Latvia to make the second group stage
Spain sweep aside Latvia to reach the final eight
A replay of their earlier meeting in Group D saw Spain assert their dominance in an even more decisive manner over Latvia, as Edu bagged four.
The Spanish number nine wasted no time in taking his first of the day, blasting in the match’s opener from distance after a matter of seconds. Rubenis had a swift reply and Latvia were back on level terms halfway through to first period.
However, before the first whistle went La Roja managed to build a 5-1 lead, thanks to two more from Eduard, as well as a brace from keeper Dona. Jakovleus did well to pull one back early in the second period, but this was the last Latvia would see of the Spanish net, as Alonso’s men surged ahead scoring four more before the next break.
In the final third, Dona completed his hat-trick, Chiky completed a brace and Domi got on the scoresheet too. The onslaught finally came to an end at 14-2, as Llorenç scored number 13 and then slid in at the far post a minute later to poke in the final goal.
Latvia are now out of the running to reach the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup, but Spain are now into the second group stage of the competition and are within touching distance of making the cut…
Goals: 1-0: Eduard, min. 11 (1); 1-1: Rubenis, min. 5 (1); 2-1: Dona, min. 4 (1); 3-1: Eduard, min. 1 (1); 4-1: Eduard, min. 1 (1); 5-1: Dona, min. 0 (1); 5-2: Jakovleus, min. 9 (2); 6-2: Antonio, min. 8 (2); 7-2: Eduard, min. 8 (2); 8-2: Chiky, min. 7 (2); 9-2: Adri Frutos, min. 3 (2); 10-2: Chiky, min. 9 (3); 11-2: Domi, min. 7 (3); 12-2: Dona, min. 5 (3); 13-2: Llorenç, min. 5 (3); 14-2: Llorenç, min. 2 (3);
Eight strikes down Moldova to see Russia through to the last eight
Three from Zemskov and two from Nikonorov wrap up comfortable win for hosts Russia over Moldova who join their rivals in the last eight.
There was just one spot in the second group stage of the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup 2019 – Europe Qualifier Moscow left ahead of this match, and Russia laid an initial claim to it when Paporontyi powered in the opener.
An impressive run saw Makarov double the lead and then, with just seconds of the first period left, Shishin pounded in number three. Nikonorov scored the first of his two overhead kicks of the match early in the second period, before a couple of Zemskov volleys from close range established a six-goal lead over the bewildered Moldovans.
In the final period, Moldova were still unable to break through the Russian back line, and the hosts enjoyed the one-way traffic, bagging two more, courtesy of Nikonorov and Zemskov, before the final whistle blew.
A well-beaten Moldova side exit the competition as Russia join group mates Azerbaijan, Spain and Switzerland in the next round.
Goals: 1-0: Paporontyi, min. 10 (1); 2-0: Makarov, min. 9 (1); 3-0: Shishin, min. 0 (1); 4-0: Nikonorov, min. 3 (2); 5-0: Zemskov, min. 0 (2); 6-0: Zemskov, min. 10 (3); 7-0: Nikonorov, min. 8 (3); 8-0: Zemskov, min. 0 (3);
Azerbaijan grasp access to the next round from the spot
The Round of 16 fight between Hungary and Azerbaijan became a real beach soccer thriller, with lots of action, drama and last-minute game-changers. The game cruised to the penalty kick shootout, and from nine meters, the Azeri proved the better aim.
Hungary and Azerbaijan had a great opportunity to get into the next group, and both teams wanted to take it. Only one would do, though, and the Magyar wanted to build an early lead after Bartha’s opener. Instead Ilkin and Jomard replied for Azerbaijan, turning the score around in the beginning of the second period, only to see Szentes-Biró level things back up immediately.
Everything was to be decided in the third and final period, and anything could happen. Things seemed unbalanced in favour of Hungary when Szasz swept the Magyar ahead, but Sabir found the way to get Azerbaijan back in the fight.
The final whistle sent the game into extra time, where no goals were scored, and penalty shootout was the only way left to discern who was going to the second group stage to keep fighting for a ticket to the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup Paraguay.
From the penalty spot, the men from the Land of Fire proved perfect, and snatched the win to progress on to next round, making the most of Fekete’s and Bartha’s missed efforts.
Goals: 0-1: Bartha, min. 5 (1); 1-1: Ilkin, min. 10 (2); 2-1: Jomard, min. 8 (2); 2-2: Szentes-Biró, min. 8 (2); 2-3: Szasz, min. 7 (2); 3-3: Sabir, min. 3 (3)
PSO: Fekete: miss; Renat: goal; Genczler, goal; Amid: goal; Bartha: miss
Switzerland roll Turkey to reach the next round
Switzerland have the ticket to the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup in their mind, and they made it rather clear today in their Round of 16 clash against Turkey. The Alpine side stormed past Milli Takimlar and will not miss their chance in the next round of this FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup – Europe Qualifier Moscow.
A 4-0 Swiss run in the first period left things already very difficult for Turkey and, in the beginning of the second leg, Ostgen made victory virtually impossible with two goals.
Baris pulled one back for the Turkish, but there was little they could do at that point. Switzerland wanted the win more, and they were going to get it, as Ott and Hodel confirmed.
The final 8-2 left little room for doubt. Switzerland will be in the second group stage of the 2019 FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup – Europe Qualifier Moscow.
Goals: 1-0: Borer, min 11 (1); 2-0: Ott, min. 4 (1); 3-0: Steinemann, min. 3 (1); 4-0: Stankovic, min. 0 (1); 5-0: Ostgen, min. 9 (2); 6-0: Ostgen, min. 8 (2); 6-1: Baris, min. 5 (2); 7-1: Ott, min. 5 (2); 8-1: Hodel, min. 10 (3); 8-2: Erkan, min. 1 (3)
Extra time Jesionowski header captures next round berth for Poland
Poland and Germany brought a terrific beach soccer battle in search for a place in the next round of the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup – Europe Qualifier Moscow, a battle that ended up falling in favour of the Polish thanks to a goal in the last seconds of the extra time.
Daniel Baran swept the Poles ahead midway into the first frame, and that narrow advantage would remain intact until the third period, in which a stunning free kick by Biermann levelled things back up. Daniluk got Poland ahead once again, and the game seemed to have a clear destination as seconds trickled away.
But it did not, as Sasha Weirauch gave the battle an extra push with the equalizer just before the klaxon sounded. The fight was to continue into extra time.
Minutes went by, and the score was not moving, until in the last seconds of the game, Jesionowski jumped higher than everyone else to nod the winner home. Biermann was close to equalizing again despite the narrow window left, but his shot hit the post and went wide, and Poland escaped with win.
Goals: 1-0: Baran, min. 7 (1); 1-1: Biermann, min. 8 (3); 2-1: Daniluk, min. 3 (3); 2-2: Weirauch, min. 0 (3); 3-2: Jesionowsky, min. 0 (AET)
Solid win over France gets Belarus into next round
Belarus joined the last-8 of the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup – Europe Qualifier Moscow following a stout win over France. The Belarusians seized control of the game from the very beginning and built on that to seal a victory that confirms them as one of the best on the continent.
Ilya Savich found a terrifically brilliant way to open the score, firing a long-range missile home from his own half of the pitch. The ball went right into Dupin’s top left corner, and there was nothing the French goalkeeper could do about it. Ryabko added to that advantage to make it 2-0 for Alvarado’s side before the first break.
Things remained under Belarusian control for the rest of the time, and Hapon widened the gap before the end of the second leg. Soares pulled one back for the French in the third period, but that was the end of the road for Les Bleus, who saw the score reach 4-1 in the last minute.
Goals: 0-1: Savich, min. 4 (1); 0-2: Ryabko, min. 2 (1); 0-3: Hapon, min. 0 (2); 1-3: Soares, min. 8 (3); 1-4: Hapon, min. 1 (3)
