Round of 16, decided!

16 teams still in the fight at the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup – Europe Qualifier Moscow 2019

Lithuania upset Turkey and access Round of 16

Lithuania had been offering good sensations during the whole competition, and they confirmed them today, winning their first game in the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup – Europe Qualifier Moscow with a 2-0 victory over Turkey. 

Having took top-level teams such as Switzerland and Belarus, the Lithuanian side had not been able to grasp their first points in the competition, although a mighty comeback against the Belarusian got them close to. But the moment they had been longing for finally came today.

The Lithuanian side made defensive solidness their main weapon today, not letting the Turkish side enjoy many goal chances, and waiting for their time to hit and do harm. Makutunovici, late in the second period, finally swept Lithuania  ahead, and Plytnikas, just with three minutes to go, sealed the win for Mmammadov’s side, who join now the teams qualified for the next round of this FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup – Europe Qualifier Moscow 2019.  

Goals: 0-1: Makutunovici, min. 1 (2); 0-2: Plytnikas, min. 3 (3)

Azerbaijan confirm second position

Azerbaijan kept the second place in Group D following a 3-1 over Moldova in the game that closed the group stage. It took the Azeri a while to overcome the Latvian advantage, but two goals in the last frame got Zeynal Zeynalov’s men the win. 

Despite Rubenis managed to immediately equalize Sabir’s openener for the men from the Land of Fire, it was Azerbaijan who was trying to take the lead for most of the time.They did not managed to do so, though, and the score remained untouched for almost two periods. 

But in the third, the Azeri side finally found the way out, and bent the Lativan resistance thanks to Sabir, who bagged his second of the day, and Amid. The 3-1 confirm Azerbaijan as the second team in Group D. 

Goals: 1-0: Sabir, min. 9 (1); 1-1: Rubenis, min. 9 (1); 2-1: Sabir, min. 11 (3); 3-1: Amid, min. 10 (3)

Kazakhstan grasp last win to send Czech Rep. out

A tight 3-2 win for the Kazakhstan National Beach Soccer team passed sentence of who goes through, and who goes home in group C. The victory sends the Kazakhs to the next round, and denies the last chance to progress to the Czech Republic. 

The match was a contested battle all throughout, and the Czechs managed to equalize, on two occasions, the Kazakhs advantage, acknowledging than the win , no matter the stage of the game, sent them through. 

But the Czech expectations crumbled in the last minute of the game, when Muralinov scored his second goal of the afternoon and sealed the win for Kazakhstan, who will now compete in the Round of 16.   

Goals: 0-1: Yeraly, min. 5 (1); 1-1: Hurab, min. 0 (1); 1-2: Muralinov, min. 2 (2); 2-2: Andy, min. 9 (3); 2-3: Muralinov, min. 1 (3)

Two goals by goalkeeper Capsamun send Moldova through

Everyday, Beach Soccer gives new instances of its uniqueness. In which other sport can you see that a goalkeeper scores not only one, but two goals to have his team win the game and qualify for the next round of the competition? Well, this is exactly what happened today in the game facing Moldova and Norway, which decided the third team in group B of this FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup – Europe Qualifier Moscow. 

From his very own box, Alexei Capsamun sent two shots straight to the back of the Norwegian nets to help his team prevail in the fight for the last available spot for the Round of 16. 

The game, in which not many goals were seen, and an extra time was needed to decide the winner, will become a new page in the history of our sport. The Moldovan’s player have a lot to thank to their number one today. He not only saved all but one of the shots on his goal, but also scored the two goals for the team to walk onto the next round. 

Goals: 0-1: Capsamun, min. 2 (1); 1-1: Li, min. 0 (2); 1-2: Capsamun, min. 2 (ET)

Belarus win on penalties but Switzerland stay atop Group E

Switzerland and Belarus clashed today to see who accessed the next round of the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup – Europe Qualifier Moscow as the head of group E, with the latter winning on panelaties but the Swissmen keeping the head of the group. 

Despite both teams were already qualified, the spectacle on display did not let anybody down. Switzerland began taking the lead, thanks to two hits by Glen Hodel midway into the first period. 

Ryabko cut the distance in half before that first leg was over, leaving Belarus just one goal behind. Nico Alvarado’s side would keep fighting for the equalizer, which might not come in the second period, but finally arrived  in the third, thanks to Piatousky’s effort. 

The 2-2 would not change for the remainder of the game, and after a goalless extra time, the penalty kick shootout was the only way out… From there, the Belarusian proved infallible, but the point at stake was not enough for them to overtake the Swiss seized a point thatthat pushes them atop of the group standings. 

Penalty kick shootout: Hodel, goal. Savich, goal; Mo, saved; Samsonov, goal; Stankovic, goal; Chaikousky,  goal. 

Italy do not let Poland take the lead in Group C

Italy closed the group stage dominating group C after a consistent win against Poland, the other contender for the head of the standings. 

The fight was tight during the whole game, but specially during the first period, in which no team managed to step ahead. It was not until midway second period that the Azzurri would make the first move, thanks to Corosiniti.

Immediately after that, Paolo Palmacci tapped the second one home, letting Italy see things from a much more comfortable perspective. 

Just as the first period unfolded, Palmacci would take a ball, dribble past two Polish defenders and fire a left-foot stroke home to widen the gap for Italy even more. 

Pozniak tried to wake up his team and break the Azzurri momentum, but the reaction would never become true, as Dario Ramacciotti wanted to make clear with the fourth Transalpine hit. 

Goals: 1-0: Corosiniti, min. 5 (2); 2-0: Palmacci, min. 4 (2); 3-0: Palmacci, min. 11 (3); 3-1: Pozniak, min. 11 (3); 4-1: Ramacciotti, min. 7 (3)

Portugal overcome early scare to dominate group

Portugal walked onto the Round of 16 of this FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup – Europe Qualifier Moscow as the indisputable best team in group B, following a 3-1 over France. Les Bleus stepped ahead in the score, but could do nothing to stop the team of the Quinas when they got ahead.  

Portugal knew that the French would not make things easy at all. And they did not, indeed. Actually they were the first ones to hit in a truly balanced first period. Only Belchior’s magnificent overhead kick would prevent the French to get to the second period commanding the score. 

But as of the second period began, it seemed clear that the Portuguese side were all set to get in control. The goals by Madjer and Andrade confirmed that, at the time they sealed a win that secures Portugal atop the standings in the group. 

Goals: 0-1: Angeletti, min. 3 (1); 1-1: Belchior, min. 0 (1); 2-1: Madjer, min. 4 (2); 3-1: Andrade, min. 10 (3)

For complete results, stats and standings, click here.