Estonia and Greece will be in Torredembarra, too, fighting in the Promotion Final for a place in next season?s Division A
Poland upset Italy to check in to the Superfinal
Poland joined the selective group of teams competing for the Continental throne in the Euro Beach Soccer League Superfinal, following a tight win over Italy. The Azzurri, who were caught by surprise during the first stages of the game, keep significant chances to make it to Torredembarra, too, but it cannot be said that they are in at this stage.
The game was as much balanced as everyone expected. Poland knew that only a victory would secure their presence in the season decider, and got quickly into business to achieve the points. Slowinski, with a long-range shot, swept the Polish ahead. Gori leveled this first stroke for Italy at the beginning of the second leg, but along came Baran, just five minutes afterwards, to get Poland the lead back, with Piechnick to follow for the 1-3.
The panorama was getting dark for Italy, who even saw things get worse with Saganowski?s 1-4. Those three strokes were too much for the Transalpine. They fought fiercely to counteract that disadvantage, but the Polish were always ready to rule out any of their attempts of building a comeback.
In an amazing 20 seconds, the score went from 1-4 to 3-5, with Poland still ahead. Ziober?s 3-6 seemed to have things decided, but Esposito?s lads have not had their last say. Within the last two minutes of the game, Marrucci and Ramacciotti pulled two goals back for the Azzurri, but their reaction finally fell one goal short, as final whistle confirmed Poland as a new Superfinal contender.
Goals: 0-1: Slowinski, min. 6 (1); 1-1: Gori, min. 10 (2); 1-2: Baran, min. 5 (2); 1-3: Piechnik, min. 3 (2); 1-4: Saganowski, min. 11 (3); 2-4: Ramacciotti, min.8 (3); 2-5: Ziober, min. 8 (3); 3-5: Gori, min. 8 (3); 3-6: Ziober, min. 5 (3); 4-6: Marrucci, min. 2 (3); 5-6: Ramacciotti, min. 1 (3)
Tosch?s amazing outcome sends Holland to the Superfinal
Netherlands remained strong in this Euro Beach Soccer League, and bent today the uncomfortable visitor Belarus to earn the ticket to the EBSL Superfinal. Much credit is to be given to the Dutch captain, Pierre Tosch, who scored three goals this afternoon to seal the Orange go-through, with a dramatic winner in the extra time of the game.
After Poland?s win over Italy, a Belarusian victory would have had things really messed up in this Division A pool, and this is precisely what Bogaichuk?s side was willing to cause. Van Dieren involuntary contribution boosted the drama at the Scheveningen Beach Stadium, but the Netherlands managed an early reaction to calm things down. Ax and Tosch, with his first hit, turned the score around before the first hooter.
Bryshtsel would hit back just one minute into the second time, and the score would remain balanced for quite a while. It was not until mid third period that Tosch would bag the 2-3 for Holland.
As seconds went by, it seemed the captain?s last hit would be the winner of the game, but, with just one minute to go, Slavitsu equalized once again to deny the hosts the victory. It was only a matter of time that the Orange would clinch the points, though, as a wonderful volley by Pierre Tosch in the opening of the extra time would get Kokmeijer?s side the win and, consequently, the ticket to the season finale, in Torredembarra.
Goals: 1-0: V. Dieren (og), min. 9 (1); 1-1: Ax, min. 1 (1); 1-2: Tosch, min. 0 (1); 2-2: Bryshtsel, min. 10 (2); 2-3: Tosch, min. 7 (3); 3-3: Slavitsu, min. 1 (3); 3-4: Tosch, min. 2 (et);
DIVISION B
Greece turns turnovers into points
Greece followed up their dramatic win yesterday by nearly giving up a big lead, five goals, but they maintained control and won 7-5. Bulgaria showed grit and heart in their astonishing run at a big comeback, but the two losses in two days leaves them on the outside looking in for the Promotion final, while the Hellenic secure berth in the fight for Division A.
Greece started the game just how they wanted, maybe not how they planned, but they scored two early goals. The first goal was scored by Paris off a corner kick but it was an own goal, it deflected off of a Bulgarian player. The second goal of the period came off of a surprising turnover from Bulgaria. The period ended with Bulgaria calming down as they limited their turnovers and only conceded the two goals.
The action intensified in the second period with both teams looking poised to score on every possession and physical play became more abundant. Early in the period Bulgaria had many chances to pull closer or even the score but unlucky breaks, great defense, and missed free kicks left the Bulgarians off the scoreboard. Greece countered off one near goal by Bulgaria and scored again to make the score 3-0. With more action and chances, Bulgaria was destined to score and in the middle of the second period they did just that to make it 3-1. Greece did not want to allow Bulgaria back into the match and near the end of the period Soilemes? side added another goal to make it 4-1. That is how the period would end, the Greeks up by three.
Bulgaria started the period with the ball but quickly turned it over and the Greeks added to their lead, making the score 5-1.The rest of the period was a stark contrast to the second period, as Greece turned the ball over and Bulgaria continually capitalized. Bulgaria pushed the tempo early in the period, and the Bulgarians scored two quick goals to get within two, 5-3. Only one minute later, Bulgaria scored again on a penalty shot to make the score 5-4. The Greeks added another goal to again put them up by two in the middle of period. Greece were penalized often in the period and Bulgaria only connected on one. Bertsias exemplified great effort as he put the ball in the net again, on a second chance, to put the Greeks up 7-4. Bulgaria would not go away, though, as they scored again to stay within two goals. Greece would not allow the upset to occur and ended the game with a score of 7-5 and thus seal ticket to the EBSL Promotion Final mid August in Torredembarra.
Goals: 1-0: Paris, min. 11 (1); 2-0: Triantfyllidis, min. 9 (1); 3-0: Paris, min. 7 (2); 3-1: Dimitrov, min. 5 (2); 4-1: Bertsias, min. 3 (2); 5-1: Triantfyllidis, min. 11 (3); 5-2: Hristov, min. 10 (3); 5-3: Belinov, min. 9 (3); 5-4: Tsvetkov, min. 8 (3); 6-4: Karakasis, min. 6 (3); 7-4: Bertsias, min. 5 (3); 7-5: Tsvetkov, min. 3 (3).
Dramatic win gives Estonia three more points to secure Promotion Final
The 5-4 win by Estonia today earns them a spot in the Promotion final. Estonia is now guaranteed at least second place in the group and could win the group outright, depending on the outcome tomorrow against Greece. Norway, with two heartbreaking losses has yet to earn their first points of the tournament, but they will look to change that on Sunday as they play Bulgaria.
The first period began like a chess match with both teams setting up their chances with passing and ball control. Early on, the opportunities were limited but both sides were content to get a feel for the opposing teams? defense. Estonia struck first with a powerful free kick that the Norwegian goalkeeper got a hand on, but was unable to stop the ball from hitting the back of the net. Game play opened up quite a bit after that goal and both teams were no longer satisfied holding back. Norway was denied many of their chances in the period but scored on one late and the score at the first break was tied 1-1.
The second period again showcased brilliant goaltending as multiple shots were turned away by both teams. Norway scored on a great looping header early in the period to take their first lead of day. The lead was short lived as Estonia scored the equalizer on a penalty shot, less than a minute later. A great cross and tap-in by Norway put them up 3-2 a few minutes later. Each squad missed penalty shots late in the period in an exciting sequence of plays, but Norway gave themselves a two goal advantage just after one of their missed penalty kicks. Estonia was not done scoring yet though as the Estonian goalkeeper, Tammevali, scored to get his team back within one goal. The period ended with a score of 4-3, Norway.
Estonia scored early in the period to level the score and keep everyone on their seats as the match was far from over. With the score tied at 4, both teams looked ready and determined to score with every shot. The final period was dictated by thunderous shots as opposed to the passing style that dominated the first period. The tension was very evident as both teams desperately wanted the win and the three points. Estonia scored late in the period to go up by one goal, 5-4. That is how the game would end, 5-4 Estonia.
The exciting play and results from the first two days have paved the way for a stupendously exciting Sunday as either Greece or Estonia can win the Division outright. Both have already earned the right to play in Torredembarra, Spain, in the EBSL Promotion final. Estonia has 6 points and Greece has 5 points going into their head-to-head match tomorrow.
Goals: 1-0: Viikmae, min. 7 (1); 1-1: Senja, min. 3 (1); 1-2: Salveson, min. 9 (2); 2-2: Saharov, min. 9 (2); 2-3: Aoudia, min. 6 (2); 2-4; Salveson, min. 4 (2); 3-4: Tammevali, min. 3 (2); 4-4: Maerog, min. 10 (3); 5-4: Marmor, min. 3 (3).
EURO BEACH SOCCER LEAGUE THE HAGUE 2013
Results today:
Saturday, 20th of July, 2013
10:00 ? Greece 7-5 Bulgaria (Division B)
11:15 ? Estonia 5-4 Norway (Division B)
12:30 ? Italy 5-6 Poland (Division A)
13:45 ? Belarus 3-4 (aet) Netherlands (Division A)
Games for tomorrow:
Sunday, 21st of July, 2013
10:00 ? Norway vs Bulgaria (Division B)
11:15 ? Estonia vs Greece (Division B)
12:30 ? Poland vs Belarus (Division A)
13:45 ? Netherlands vs Italy (Division A)
