Excitement is at its top. And tomorrow, it is going to go even beyond, with this FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup Qualifier Final, which is to face Portugal and Ukraine for the Cup. Today’s semifinals have offered incredible showdowns between beach soccer giants Switzerland and Ukraina, and Russia and Portugal, with Iberians and Russian meriting their chance for the Cp tomorrow.
But the tournament Final is not going to be the only event to attend tomorrow at this excellent Stadium in Bibione (Italy). Before the decisive game, Ukraine and Switzerland will struggle for the third place and before that, Brazil is jumping into the sand for an exhibition game against hosts Italy (16:00), what is a synonymous for spectacle. Wherever the Canarinha is to get, best beach soccer is granted.
Ukraine get into the Final after shootout
Once you reach the semifinals, you know for sure that any team can win. You also know that matches are going to be really hard-fought, and the scores tight. The semifinal clash between Ukraine and Switzerland has been an irrefutable proof of it. The match was absolutely leveled not only during the three periods, but also in the extra times and the penalty shootout. Ten shots have been necessary to pass judgment that Ukraine was to fight for the Cup tomorrow, in this FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup Qualifier Final (19:00)
Ukrainians wanted not to leave for the second minute what they could achieve in the first one, ant only some seconds after kick-off, Korniychuk headed in a long ball from the other end of the field. But the Swiss would not let them ahead so easily, and world-known weapon Stankovic took the best advantage of his privileged offensive nose to find a lost ball and make it the 1-1. Without time to settle down again, Nazarenko got the advantage back for his team with a move he knows very well. Dribbling to his right foot, and low shot. The pace in this first period was absolutely frenetic, with both teams looking for the other end, what gave way to spectacular chances and speedy counterattacking.
Both squads took it easier in the second period, acknowledging that they needed to save some stamina for the decisive stages. And this time, it was the Alpine who got in command. First, with a great combination between Stankovic and Leu, left-footed bomber to make a brilliant pass that the captain did not waste. And afterwards, again with a real striker hit by Stankovic, to make the score 3-2. But when it seemed that second break would leave the Swiss ahead, Yevdokymov achieved another equalizer for Ukraine.
Nothing was decided, and third quarter had to pass sentence, but it didn’t, although some good attempts by both sides. So the showdown got into extra time, to add even more excitement to a semifinal that lacked it not. Ukraine and Switzerland knew that a single mistake would get them out of the final, and played in absolute concentration not to let any chance knock them out. That left no other way to solve it than the penalties.
It is always absolutely breath-taking to experience how the whole stadium gets into absolute silence in the shootout. No matter how noisy it has been. Stankovic was the one to open fire. And guess what, he did not miss the chance. Andrii Borsuk did not either, and the same for Leu and Yevdokimov. Then the moment came for another one of Swiss finest, Ziegler, who raised the 3-2 in the shootout score, to be immediately neutralized by Korniychuk. Rodrigues and Pachev in, too. Finally, Gladchenko prevented Meier’s attempt to become the 5-4, and set things for Butko to give Ukrania a place into the Final.
Goals: 1-0: Korniychuk, min. 11 (1); 1-1: Stankovic, min. 10 (1); 2-1: Nazarenko, min. 9 (1); 2-2: Leu, min. 3 (2); 2-3: Stankovic, min. 2 (2), 3-3: Yevdokimov, min. 1 (3)
Penalty shootout: Stankovic, (in); A. Borsuk (in); Leu, (in); Yevdokimov, (in); Ziegler, (in); Korniychuk, (in); Rodrigues, (in); Pachev, (in); Meier, (Glandchenko saves it); Butko, (in).
Madjer and Belchior doubles get Portugal in Final
Portugal have earned a place in tomorrow’s decisive game for the Cup in this FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup Qualifier taking place in Bibione. And they have granted so by means of their absolutely devastating offensive power. Players such as Madjer, Belchior, Alan, Bilro and many others become a real menace for opponents’ defenses. And the worst for them is that this menace uses to get real. Powerful Russians, one of the big monsters of the tournament, have not been able to counteract all this powder firmly enough, and they will not be in tomorrow’s Final.
It was one of these Portuguese magicians, Belchior, the one to put his side ahead in the first period. Portugal had tried it before, but it was not until 5 minutes to go in the first period that they could step forward. Leonov leveled things immediately, right in the kick-off after the Portuguese hit, and the match reached first horn with the 1-1 draw.
Much more fantasy awaited in the second period, in which the supporter’s packing the stands of the Stadium witnessed five great goals. Madjer scored the first one, which meant the 2-1 for his side, to be followed by a great Belchior header in a corner kick for the 3-2. But the Russian, in another spirit and will display, have leveled the score, thanks to Shakhmelyan and Shishin. Alan, though, would get Portugal ahead again right the next second, with a great shot from the pitch half-line.
Things would become even better for the Iberians after the break, since Madjer again and Bruno Novo would achieve a comfortable advantage for their team, three goals up on the scoreboard. The match, then seemed to be finished, but you can never say so when Russia is on the sand. This time, though, the soviets comeback was unfinished, and Leonov’s and Gorchinskiy’s hits were not continued with any other goal, and Portugal are the ones to fight Ukraine for the cup tomorrow (19:00).
Goals: 1-0: Belchior, min. 5 (1); 1-1: Leonov, min. 5 (1); 2-1: Madjer, min. 11 (2); 3-1: Belchior, min. 9 (2); 3-2: Shakhmelyan, min. 2 (2), 3-3: Shishin, min. 1 (2); 4-3: Alan, min. 1 (2); 5-3: Madjer, min. 11 (3); 6-3: B. Novo, min. 6 (3); 6-4: Leonov, min. 5 (3); 6-5, Gorchinskiy, min. 4 (3).
Results of the day and fixtures for tomorrow:
| SEMI-FINALS | |||||
| DAY | TIME (CET) |
MATCH N° | PITCH | ROUND | MATCH |
| DAY 7 Sat July 17th |
17:45 | 52 | 1 | Semi-final | UKR 3 (5) – SUI (4) |
| 19:00 | 53 | 1 | Semi-final | POR 6 – 5 RUS | |
| EXHIBITION GAME | |||||
| DAY | TIME (CET) |
MATCH N° | PITCH | ROUND | MATCH |
| DAY 8 Sun Jul 18th |
16:00 | 1 | Exhibition game | ITA – BRA | |
| FINAL | |||||
| DAY | TIME (CET) |
MATCH N° | PITCH | ROUND | MATCH |
| DAY 8 Sun Jul 18th |
17:45 | 54 | 1 | 3rd/4th place | SUI – RUS |
| 19:00 | 55 | 1 | Final | UKR – POR | |
