Last minute winner seizes Italy win while Portugal and Spain also take three points on day one
Spain, Portugal and Italy enjoyed three-point victories on the opening day of the Euro Beach Soccer League Superfinal in Figueira Da Foz, as Belarus took a point from the penalty spot.
Portugal saw off Turkey in their opening match at the Superfinal 2019 to move level on points with Italy in Group 2. The Azzurri left it very late to clinch their victory, with the clock reading six seconds when Palmacci fired in his winner.
Russia suffered defeat at the hands of their Belarussian rivals, but only after pulling their way back to force penalties, while the other match in Group 1 saw Switzerland let a five-goal lead slip to an inspired Spanish comeback in a match that saw no less than 17 goals.
Let’s kick off with that one…
Switzerland 8-9 Spain (Group 1)
Spain had made it all the way to the final in Alghero last year, painfully missing out to their Italian hosts, but 2019 is a new year and they were ready to go again.
Chiky got the Spanish off the mark with a signature overhead but within a matter of seconds the Swiss struck back when Valentin bounced a penalty off the crossbar and into the net.
Woodtli then made it 2-1 and another converted penalty saw Glenn Hodel punish a clumsy take down in the box. Switzerland had a two-goal lead but that wasn’t enough for the number ten Noel Ott, as he powered in a bicycle kick before the first whistle sounded.
Joaquin Alonso’s men looked a little shell-shocked as they came out for the second period but the Swiss kept coming, with keeper Eliott getting his name on the scoresheet with a long low shot.
The number one hit another, taking the score to 6-1, but Chiky managed to sneak in another overhead from close range to pull one goal back before the second whistle. Antonio gave La Roja a glimmer of hope at the start of the final period by rifling in a low shot off the upright.
But Spacca pulled it back with a goal of the tournament contender, a left-footed volley straight into the top corner.
That Spain suddenly kicked into gear…
First Edu hit number four. Then Llorenç (2018 world’s best player) poked home from metres out. Chiky poached a goal at the back post to complete his hat-trick, then another incredible Antonio strike drew the Spaniards level, and the comeback was all but complete when Dona hit one from his own area to make it 7-8!
Noel Ott levelled up for Switzerland who looked to deny the Spanish heroics, but that man Antonio had what it took in the final minute to bury a ninth and final goal, turning the match on its head in incredible style and grabbing all three points for Joaquin Alonso’s men.
Goals: 0-1: Chiky, min. 7 (1); 1-1: Valentin, min. 6 (1); 2-1: Woodtli, min. 4 (1); 3-1: Hodel, min. 3 (1); 4-1: Ott, min. 1 (1); 5-1: Eliott, min. 7 (2); 6-1: Eliott, min. 4 (2); 6-2: Chiky, min. 1 (2); 6-3: Antonio, min. 10 (3); 7-3: Spacca, min. 9 (3); 7-4: Eduard, min. 9 (3); 7-5: Llorenç, min. 8 (3); 7-6: Chiky, min. 5 (3); 7-7: Antonio, min. 4 (3); 7-8: Dona, min. 3 (3); 8-8: Ott, min. 3 (3); 8-9: Antonio, min. 1 (3);
Turkey 5-9 Portugal (Group 2)
A beautiful piece of team play was polished off by Von, who struck the ball across goal to get the packed stadium on its feet for the first of many occasions. Leo Martins then buried a penalty and then his twin, Bernardo, chipped in the days second goal of the tournament contender.
The Turks shows that they had teeth though, as Volkan turned in their opener to calm the giddy local fans. Jordan fund the top corner after picking the pocket of the defender, but Baris was given too much time in the box and made it 2-4 at the first break.
Cem Keskin got the second period underway straight from kick off with a superb volley, and pulling Turkey back to just one behind!
Leo Martins netted another, but Turkey replied with a goal from Semih and then a second for Cem Keskin to take the score to 5-5!
But just when the Turkish seemed to be getting a foothold in the tie, the Portuguese strikers burst into action. A quick-fire brace of long-distance strikes from Belchior put them two ahead and then Von grabbed a second with a clinical overhead to make it eight for Narciso’s men.
The youngster added a final one, taking his personal tally to three, to round off the performance shortly before the final whistle. An initial three points for the Portuguese sees them go level with Italy in Group 2, but go top on goal difference.
Goals: 0-1: Von, min. 8 (1); 0-2: Leo Martins, min. 8 (1); 0-3: Be Martins, min. 6 (1); 1-3: Volkan, min. 6 (1); 1-4: Jordan, min. 2 (1); 2-4: Baris, min. 0 (1); 3-4: Cem Keskin, min. 0 (1); 3-5: Leo Martins, min. 7 (2); 4-5: Semih, min. 9 (2); 5-5: Cem Keskin, min. 5 (2); 5-6: Belchior, min. 4 (2); 5-7: Belchior, min. 3 (2); 5-8: Von, min. 3 (2); 5-9: Von, min. 5 (3);
Belarus 4(2)-(1)4 Russia (Group 1)
Belarus are enjoying a record-breaking season, having qualified for the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup for the first time in their history, and today they started on the front foot against their old Russian rivals.
Keeper Makarevich fired in an opener after just seconds. Makarov had an answer within a few minutes but Piatrouski retook the lead for Belarus immediately and this is how the first period ended.
Samsonov made it three with a fine effort in the second period and Russia were being left behind. However, Paporotnyi gave them hope with just moments of the second period left, turning in from close range.
Likhachev’s Russians came out for the third period on a comeback mission, and before long, Makarov had his second of the match and the scores were tied. Zemskov then deflected the ball in at the far post to snatch the lead for the first time.
With time running out it looked as if Russia had the game won but a late Savich freekick took the score to 4-4, forcing extra time, and when the added three minutes couldn’t decide a winner, it went to penalties.
Uncharacteristically inaccurate penalties saw Paporotnyi and Krash miss their targets, gifting Belarus a single point in an historic victory for Alvarado’s men.
Goals: 1-0: Makarevich, min. 11 (1); 1-1: Makarov, min. 8 (1); 2-1: Piatrouski, min. 7 (1); 3-1: Samsonov, min. 9 (2); 3-2: Paporotnyi, min. 0 (2); 3-3: Makarov, min. 11 (3); 3-4: Zemskov, min. 9 (3); 4-4: Savich, min. 3 (3);
PSO: 1-0: Savich, scored; 1-1: Shishin, scored; 1-1: Samsonov, saved; 1-1: Paporotnyi, missed; 2-1: Chaikouski, scored; 2-1: Krash, saved;
Italy 5-4 Ukraine (Group 2)
After going undefeated in the regular phase in Catania, Italy’s next step on their mission to defend the European crown was defeat Ukraine in the opening group game.
But Yevhen Varenytsia’s side struck first, as Makeiev hit a fine effort to open the scoring almost immediately. Ukraine lead for most of the period but Zurlo found the net to see the sides take a break at one goal apiece.
After the break, though, the Italian number nine completed his hat-trick within two minutes of the whistle, first spinning to put away a low shot and the second a sublime overhead.
A two-goal lead was lost though as Shcherytsia powered in Ukraine’s second and close to the end of the period Voitenko netted a freekick to draw the sides level.
Dropping a point at this stage in the competition could be costly and the pace increased as both sides pushed for that normal-time winner. A Corosiniti penalty only went in after the number eight followed up on the rebound from Sydorenko’s save and Italy thought they’d won it; until Dario Ramacciotti unfortunately hooked the ball into his own net.
But, with just six seconds on the clock, Palmacci hit a sweet bicycle kick to win it at the death! A precious three points in the bag for the Azzurri, but heartbreak for the Ukrainians.
Goals: 0-1: Makeiev, min. 11 (1); 1-1: Zurlo, min. 6 (1); 2-1: Zurlo, min. 11 (2); 3-1: Zurlo, min. 10 (2); 3-2: Shcherytsia, min. 9 (2); 3-3: Voitenko, min. 2 (2); 4-3: Corosiniti, min. 4 (3); 4-4: Ramacciotti (OG), min. 1 (3); 5-4: Palmacci, min. 0 (3);
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