STORE 
MY BEACH SOCCER 
Italy and Portugal were the ones to fall at the semi-final stage on Saturday.
Switzerland and Poland produced semi-final shocks to beat Portugal and Italy respectively on the penultimate day of European qualification for the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup in Jesolo.
Semi-finals
The tournament’s undoubted surprise package Poland produced another upset in the semi-final by beating hosts Italy 3-2 in extra time.
Both teams will compete in the World Cup next year although Poland are the ones to remain in the hunt for the Jesolo title after Klepczarek struck deep into extra time to set up a final against Switzerland.
A resolute, clinical display from the Swiss saw them beat FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup champions Portugal 3-1.
As is so often the case, Stankovic proved the inspiration, as the forward took his tally for the tournament to 22.
Fifth-place play-off
In the fifth-place play-off, Czech Republic will face Russia after the former held off Azerbaijan 4-3 on Friday.
Both sides finished second in their respective groups but, thanks partly to a brace from Kovarik, it is the Czechs who will get the chance to battle for fifth on Sunday.
Russia led France 4-1 after 12 minutes and never really looked back, with braces from Krash, Shishin and Makarov helping Mikhail Likhachev’s side progress.
Ninth-place play-off
Ukraine eventually booked a ninth-place play-off meeting with Spain after seeing off Germany 3-2 on sudden death penalties in Jesolo.
Biermann and Keppinho cancelled out efforts from Korniichuk and Shcherytsia before Beqiri’s saved penalty proved costly, leaving Ukraine hoping for ninth spot while Germany take on Turkey for 11th.
Spain later brushed off their disappointment at failing to qualify for the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup by beating Belarus 4-2.
The Spanish – whose hopes of making the Bahamas were ended when Azerbaijan beat Turkey – saw Llorenc strike three times to move into the play-off for ninth.
Thirteenth-place play-off
Greece will meet Turkey to battle for 13th place in FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup qualification after beating Hungary 6-0.
The Turks were 7-1 winners against Moldova in the first game of the day and Greece followed suit by dispatching Hungary with relative ease, leaving Tamas Wiesz’s men to focus on Sunday’s 15th-placed clash with Moldova.
Saturday results
Turkey 7-1 Moldova
Hungary 0-6 Greece
Belarus 2-4 Spain
Ukraine (3) 2-2 (2) Germany
Russia 9-3 France
Azerbaijan 3-4 Czech Republic
Portugal 1-3 Switzerland
Italy 2-3 Poland (AET)
Sunday fixtures
Hungary v Moldova
Greece v Turkey
Germany v Belarus
Ukraine v Spain
Azerbaijan v France
Czech Republic v Russia
Italy v Portugal
Poland v Switzerland
