Poland seal last points from the penalty spot

Ukraine upset Switzerland to become the runner-ups of this opening Euro Beach Soccer League stage in Kiev

The Polish Beach Soccer Natinal Team confirmed their victory in the Euro Beach Soccer League stage in Kiev, beating France in the closing matchday of the competition. It was not easy for Saganowski?s lads, though, as the French contested until the end, and the penalty kick shootout became the only way out to the fixture?

Poland tried to take the game?s control from the beginning, but Les Bleus always managed to reply. Pagis kept the French in the fight for most of the two first periods, balancing the score after Piechnik?s and Friszkemut?s hits.

When Widziki netted the 4-2, it seemed it would be the end of the road for France, but François? side was determined to fight until the end, and two goals by Fayos sent the game to extra time.

No ball hit either of the nets during the additional period, so the game headed for the penalty kick shootout. There, Baran captured the points for the Polish, following a brilliant save by Wolski to Basquaise?s attempt.

Goals: 1-0: Piechnik, min. 7 (1); 1-1: Pagis, min. 0 (1); 2-1: Friszkemut, min. 11 (2); 2-2: Pagis, min. 2 (2); 3-2: Lenart, min. 1 (2); 4-2: Widzicki, min. 5 (3); 4-3: Fayos, min. 4 (3); 4-4: Fayos, min. 0 (3);

Penalty kick shootout: Basquaise, Wolski saves; Baran, in.

Pachev?s winner gives Ukraine the second place in Kiev

Ukraine ended as the runner-up in this opening stage of the Euro Beach Soccer League, and completed a frustrating weekend for Switzerland. Whereas the hosts grabbed six points that put them in the right track to the Superfinal, the defending champions will leave Kiev with two defeats and one victory, and will need to get better figures in their next appearance in the continental league if they want to have real chances to defend their crown in Torredembarra next August.

Kucherenko?s side wanted to give their crowd a sweet farewell in the tournament, and things got really well positioned for them with a 3-0 run midway second period. But two goals by the end of that same period brought Switzerland back to the game, something Stankovic would brilliantly confirm just seconds into the third, with the equalizer for the Alpine side.

Time was ticking away, and one goal on either end could be decisive. And so it was, with Pachev netting the winner for the hosts with three minutes to go. This final 4-3 lets the Ukrainians grab their sixth points and see things rather comfortably regarding the Superfinal, whereas forces Switzerland to do better in their next challenge in the EBSL if they want to be amongst the best eight, too.

Goals: 1-0: I. Borsuk, min. 9 (1); 2-0: Zborovsky, min. 10 (2); 3-0: Zborovsky, min. 8 (2); 3-1: Leu, min. 3 (2); 3-2: Samuel, min. 0 (2); 3-3: Stankovic, min. 11 (3); 4-3: Pachev, min. 3 (3);

EURO BEACH SOCCER LEAGUE KIEV 2013

Match results:

Fri. 24.05.12   
18:30 ? Switzerland 3-5 Poland
19:45 ? France 0-10 Ukraine

Sat. 25.05.12   
14:00 ? Switzerland 6-5 France
15:15 ? Ukraine 3-5 Poland

Sun. 26.05.12
14:00 ? Poland 4(1) vs 4(0) France
15:15 ? Ukraine vs. Switzerland

Final standings:
CHAMPIONS ? Poland
Runner Up ? Ukraine
3rd place ? Switzerland
4th place ? France

Individual awards:
MVP: Boguslaw Saganowski (POL)
Top Scorer: Oleg Zborovsky (UKR)
Best goalkeeper: Vitalii Sydorenko (UKR)