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The second berth in Superfinal will be decided after the game facing Portugal and Switzerland
‘Les Bleus’ get into Promotion Final
France will have the chance to fight for a place back in the Beach Soccer continental top-flight division. After winning their second game in group B today against Israel, no one can put the French leadership into any sort of risk, so their place in Sunday’s Superfinal is already secured. Two goals by Basquaise and a last stroke by Samoun were worth the points for France, who could not get things solved until the last period.
Israel was considered a tough opponent beforehand. The way they won the first Euro Beach Soccer League stage of the season in Bern, and the performances they had been starring during last months, including their combative display in last year’s Promotion Final, were things to bear in mind by the French. And these concerns were confirmed after kick off, as the Israeli side made things nothing easy for the 2005 FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup Champions.
Although getting ahead in the very beginning of the game, thanks to a free kick by Basquaise, Israel managed to level things back before the first horn, with Badash deflecting in a shot by Yatim. Both sides became more cautious from then on, as any single mistake could mean being sidelined from the Promotion Final, and not many goal chances were witnessed during the following period and the first minutes of the third. But when the match was getting into its most dangerous moments, France decided to make a step ahead and tried harder for the victory. Basquaise was the one to find the prize to this will, and unbalanced things again, to be followed by teammate Samoun just seconds afterwards to finish the game.
Goals: 0-1: Basquaise, min. 10 (1);1-1: Badash, min. 1 (1); 1-2: Basquaise, min. 3(3); 1-3: Samoun, min. 3 (3)
Belarus makes things tighter for Promotion Final
After their defeat yesterday against Turkey, Belarus recovered their options to get into the promotional final, although they will not depend on themselves now. The 2-5 against the Czech Republic keeps the Belarusias willing for a victory by Czech Republic over Turkey, although they will be absolutely dependant on goal-average criteria.
Regardless what may happen tomorrow, Belarus knew that this was their very last chance to try to make it to the decisive match on Sunday. And, although things got hard with Chalupa’s opener for the Czech Republic, Bogaichuk immediately replied to equalize it first, and to sweep his side ahead some minutes later. Karda’s new equalizer for the white side only managed to postpone a bit the turning of the game, which finally came, yet in the second period, through the hits by Ilyin, Bokach and Bryshtsel.
Goals: 1-0: Chalupa, min. 11 (1); 1-1: Bogaichuk, min. 11 (1); 1-2: Bogaichuk, min. 5 (1); 2-2: Karda, min. 1 (1); 2-3: Ilyin, min. 10 (2) 2-4: Bokach, min. 8 (2); 2-5: Bryshtsel, min. 8 (2)
Portugal begins crown defense against Italy
Just as a clear message of what they were aiming to, Portugal opened the score at the very moment the referee blew his whistle. Belchior lifted the ball, and Madjer rocketed it in to begin the game against Italy already ahead in the score, mending the first leg of a win that places them on top of the table in the Group B of the Superfinal Group phase. Notwithstanding, anything could happen tomorrow in the match facing current title-holders and Switzerland, as a victory by the Alpine would lead to a goal-average definition.
Belchior wanted to add his contribution to the Portuguese triumph and he did so the way he uses to: with brilliantness. And using a weapon he handles with mastery: the overhead kick. To magnificent bicycle shots by the Portuguese number 10 merited the 3-0 for the Lusitanians, who would never lose the control of the game. Only a penalty-kick hit by the Italian captain, Michele Leghissa, could disturb the solid march by the Portuguese to their defense of the European crown.
Goals: 1-0: Madjer, min. 11 (1); 2-0: Belchior, min. 8 (3); 3-0: Belchior, min. 9 (3); 3-1: Leghissa, min. 3 (3)
Russia to fight for the throne
Russia did not miss the chance of getting into the last act of this Euro Beach Soccer League, whose Superfinal is being held in their soil. Likhachev’s lads got rid of Spain in their clash this evening to secure the head of Group A and, consequently, their place in Sunday’s grand final.
Spain learnt the lesson and made things more difficult than in their previous clash, in which the Russians rolled over them to end up with a loud 9-3 win. That was not to happen again today, and La Roja was always really close in the score, even leveling Shishin’s first hit, and making it 3-2 with just one minute to go, both times thanks to Jorge. Despite their efforts, though, Spain saw Russia close any option for their final assault with Shishin’s second goal.
With their name already secured in the chart, Russia will need to wait until tomorrow evening to know who they are to battle in the decisive fixture of this EBSL Superfinal 2011, as things in Group B are not so clear cut…
Goals: 1-0: Shishin, min. 6 (1); 1-1: Jorge, min. 2 (1); 2-1: Juanma, min. 11 (2) 3-1: Makarov, min. 6 (2); 3-2: Jorge, min. 1 (3); 4-2: Shishin, min. 0 (3)
EURO BEACH SOCCER LEAGUE 2011 – SUPERFINAL & PROMOTION FINAL MOSCOW
Game results
Thursday, August 4th
Switzerland 6 – 7 Italy
Turkey 3 – 1 Belarus
Netherlands 4 – 5 France
Russia 8 – 1 Romania
Friday, August 5th
13:30 – Israel 1 – 3 France
14:45 – Czech Rep. 2 – 5 Belarus
16:00 – Portugal 3 – 1 Italy
17:15h – Russia 4 – 2 Spain
Matches for tomorrow:
Saturday, August 6th
13:30 – Netherlands vs. Israel
14:45 – Turkey vs. Czech Rep
16:00 – Switzerland vs. Portugal
17:15h – Spain vs. Romania
