Penalties were needed to separate Austria from the Czech Republic in the Linz hosted event
Two splendid days of beach soccer took place in Linz, Austria on the 18th and 19th of July. Sunday was the finale with the penalties thriller capping the last day of the BSWW Euro Nations Cup Linz 2015. The final day also had another high-scoring affair, in the third place match, between Norway and Slovakia. The four sides were under pressure to win as the first day, Saturday, were the semi-finals. The opening day had crackers between Slovakia and the Czech Republic, and then the second match of the day was Austria versus Norway.
The first semifinal match began at 18.00 local time in Linz, and it saw the Czechs jump out to the lead before the Slovakians bounced back to take a 2-1 lead into the middle frame. Near the midway point in the second period it was Slovakia who added to their lead on a strike from Bures, putting them up 3-1. The Czech Republic opened up their offense and scored six straight goals before giving up a last minute score, leaving the final score at 7-4 for the Czechs. The next semi-final was a much tighter affair throughout. Norway scored first, from one of their prolific scorers, Pak Ling Li, but then their offense went quiet. The hosts, Austria, looked like they would be shut-out in the first period but in the final two minutes they scored twice to take a 2-1 advantage into the first break. The squads exchanged second period goals, with the Norwegians being left behind in the end, by a score of 3-2, after the final frame went scoreless.
Sunday marked the all-or-nothing last day of the exciting event and the third place match had Slovakia rebound in a big way, earning a big 8-4 victory after scoring five goals against Norway in the final frame. The grand finale was so tight that even overtime could not determine a winner. The teams battled to a 3-3 draw in the first two periods, with the Czech Republic scoring the only goal in the final frame. The scoreless extra frame led to the just as close shootout, with the Czechs coming out on top 3-2 in the penalties.
