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MY BEACH SOCCER 
Madjer and co secure European glory again at the Italians’ expense in Belgrade.
Portugal regained the Euro Beach Soccer Cup title after a 10-year wait on Sunday as they saw off a gutsy effort from Italy to run out 6-3 winners in Belgrade.
The world champions had lost two finals since last tasting success in the competition a decade ago and initially saw goals from Jordan and Andrade cancelled out swiftly by in-form striker Gori – who ended the tournament as top scorer.
Madjer, Be Martins and B. Novo then made life comfortable for the world’s second-ranked side and, while Gori secured a hat-trick in another impressive tournament, Be Martins had the final say as he rounded off the scoring in the final seconds.
A seventh Euro Beach Soccer Cup title will head back to Lisbon, while Italy will take solace from their best ever finish in the tournament.
Portugal could barely have made a better start as Jordan angled an effort into the roof of the net within 10 seconds although Gori’s fourth goal of the tournament soon restored parity.
Saturday’s penalty shootout hero Andrade proved decisive again when he put Portugal in front midway through the period although Gori was at it again when he levelled from the spot.
Portugal had the better of a goalless second period but failed to make their advantage count until Madjer produced a moment of magic to nudge his side ahead in acrobatic fashion.
Be Martins’ free-kick took a bobble in the sand but crept just over the crossbar although the forward did get on the scoresheet soon after with a cool finish into the far corner to put daylight between the sides.
Coimbra was required to head Ramacciotti’s strike off the line as Italy sought to keep their title hopes alive as the contest came to the boil.
However, B. Novo and Be Martins scored either side of Gori’s hat-trick goal as Portugal deservedly claimed a seventh title.
Russia bounce back to wrap up third
World number ones Russia recovered from their penalty shoot-out heartache against Portugal to defeat Hungary convincingly 8-0 and tie up third place in the Euro Beach Soccer Cup.
Hungary – beaten by Italy in their semi on Saturday – were resilient early on as neither side found a way through inside the first 12 minutes.
But the floodgates opened on the restart as Kryshanov and Makarov each registered braces en route to an emphatic success that salvages some pride for the Russians while Hungary match their best achievement at the competition with a fourth-placed finish.
Swiss make fifth-placed Ukraine sweat in 11-goal thriller
Ukraine were made to survive a late fightback from Switzerland as they claimed a 6-5 win to wrap up fifth place in the Euro Beach Soccer Cup on Sunday.
Having fallen behind to Spacca’s opener, Ukraine amassed a 5-1 lead with Zborovskyi, Pachev, Sydorenko and I. Borsuk all on target.
A Stankovic brace late on and a long-range strike from Ott, who spent the final period in goal, helped make life awkward for Ukraine, although Yevhen Varenytsia’s men did enough to ensure fifth.
Spain sign off with consolation success
Spain salvaged some pride from their failed Euro Beach Soccer Cup defence by hammering hosts Serbia 11-1 on the final day of the competition.
The former champions had suffered defeats to Portugal and Ukraine earlier in the competition and fell behind to the first kick of the game on Sunday.
Vucicevic scored straight from the kick-off, although it proved a fleeting highlight for the home crowd in Belgrade as Spain clicked into gear against a tiring Serbia side.
Antonio bagged four while Ezequiel registered a brace as Spain avoided a bottom-place finish at their opponents’ expense.
