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Switzerland and Italy will battle for the third place in this Euro Beach Soccer Cup Moscow 2012
Russia will have the chance to defend the Euro Beach Soccer Cup title in front of their own crowd, after Likhachev’s team bent Italy in the last of the semi-finals held on the Luzhniki arena. Again, a solid beginning, with a 3-0 advantage, was the key for the hosts to secure the victory, as despite Italy’s hit, the distance was too wide to make the Russian dominion tremble.
Just as he did yesterday, Makarov gave his team the lead, with a terrific volley right at the second minute of the game. Leaning on an almost impregnable defense, the World Champions kept with their fearsome pace to extend their advantage. This time, it was goalkeeper Andreiy Bukhliskiy the one to write his name onto the chart, with a long attempt successfully finding Spada’s weak point and making the score 2-0 at the end of the third period.
With half of the job done, the Russian side began managing the game’s tempo, and it was not until the third period that Makarov broke the Transalpine resistance again for the 3-0. At that point, the path was really uphill for Esposito’s lads, something further confirmed when, after Soria’s 3-1, Shaykov killed the game with the fourth goal for his team, thus securing their presence in the final of the competition. In the decision, Russia will again take on Portugal, reediting last edition’s final.
Goals: 1-0: Makarov, min. 5 (1); 2-0: Bukhlistkiy, min. 0 (1); 3-0: Makarov, min. 10 (3); 3-1: Soria, min. 8 (3); 4-1: Shaykov, min. 6 (3)
Portugal prevails in Beach Soccer festival against Switzerland
Pointing that a Switzerland-Portugal is going to be a great Beach Soccer match is always a winner bet. But foreseeing such a terrific game as the one offered today by both teams is much more difficult. Featuring 13 goals, and the best tricks by magicians such as Madjer, Stankovic, Alan or Meier turned this semifinal fixture into a game to be remembered in this Euro Beach Soccer Cup, with the Portuguese prevailing in such a frenetic festival to get their place in the final.
Switzerland went through a real nightmare during the first period, in which, they got the back of their net hit up to five times, with Zé Miguel’s team making it up to 0-4 in six minutes. Getting a 2-5 run in the first period is something really hard to stomach, but the Swiss collective job and Stankovic’s amusing efficiency kept the team afloat in such hard-knocked minutes. Although Madjer netted his third again at a very early stage after the first break, ‘Stanko’ counteracted with a new ‘double’ to get things 4-6.
That result, although not favourable, made the Swiss regard the match in a much more optimistic way, and, despite Coimbra’s missile for the 4-7, the fifth hit by the Alpine target man and Mo’s contribution brought an amazingly exciting last three minutes. Unfortunately for Schirinzi’s side, those were not enough to complete the terrific come back, and their assault remain unfinished to see Portugal get into the Euro Beach Soccer Cup final.
Goals: 0-1: Jordan, min 10 (1); 0-2: Coimbra, min. 9 (1); 0-3: Madjer, min. 8 (1); 0-4: Madjer, min. 6 (1); 1-4: Stankovic, min. 6 (1); 2-4: Stankovic, min. 4 (1); 2-5: Bruno Novo, min. 3 (1); 2-6: Madjer, min. 10 (2); 3-6: Stankovic, min. 9 (2); 4-6: Stankovic, min. 9 (2); 4-7: Coimbra, min. 8 (3); 5-7: Stankovic, min. 4 (3); 6-7: Mo, min. 3 (3);
Poland too grown-up for Romania
Poland will have the chance of fighting for the fifth position in this Euro Beach Soccer Cup Moscow 2012, after an uncontestable win over Romania. Today’s match, regardless Romania’s difficulties to get to the competition, was a new instance of the team Poland is becoming, with the same intensity and maturity they displayed yesterday against Portugal, but with a sweeter ending. Having added magic up front to their traditional spirit and defensive order, Saganowski and co. become a really interesting side to watch during this brand new season just kicking off in Moscow.
Two identical strategy moves swept the Polish 0-2 ahead, proving that their concentration was much more tuned than the Romanians’. Damasaru’s side felt the lack of rhythm after such a tricky journey to Moscow, with all sorts of problems taking them the chance of fighting for the Cup and even of training properly. And precisely ultra-intense Poland is a side always ready to punish whoever may not be at their best state of focus.
Another thing the Carpathian side missed a lot today was a stronger presence of his big star Maci, who was not as outstanding as he uses to be, although scoring the second goal for his team. Instead, inspiration was a forte in Iwan’s side, especially with Friszkemut, who imparted this afternoon a quick lesson on overhead kicks under pressure and scored two goals to keep the Romanians at a safe distance all the time.
Goals: 0-1: Grzegorczyk, min. 7 (1); 0-2: Friszkemut, min. 6 (1); 0-3: Baran, min. 9 (2); 1-3: M. Poste, min. 6 (2); 1-4: Friszkemut, min. 10 (3); 1-5: Wydmuszek, min. 9 (3); 2-5: Maci, min. 8 (3); 2-6: Baran, min. 2 (3)
‘Roja’ shines brighter than ‘Bleu’
Although none of the contenders had any chance to the Cup, a France-Spain always has a very special flavour. It is a traditional battle in any sport, and, with France back on Division A, it gets again a top-flight confrontation status in the Beach Soccer panorama. This time, La Roja hit stronger than Les Bleus, what means the chance for Spain to fight for 5th position in the tournament.
After Kuman managed a 0-2 advantage for the Spaniards, it was really difficult for France to find the way back to a leveled score. Joaquín Alonso’s team stayed really solid in defense, leaving the French no chance to Dona’s nets. Only misfortune, with Cristian Torres deflecting the ball to its own goal, could mean the first hit for François team.
Necessarily, France took the control of the ball, always heading up front, but things kept without working for Les Bleus. Spain had their chances too, with Cristian Torres menacing Fort from the long distance, and dynamic Kuman causing real problems to the French defense, but nothing worked for them either. With the clock ticking down towards the end of the match, Basquaise took advantage of a ball rebound and crossed it in for the equalizer, finding the prize to such a long term work during the whole game. Unluckily for them, though, Pajón still had a rocket in the chamber. The one he whipped in to give Spain the chance to take on Poland for the 5th place in this Euro Beach Soccer Cup Moscow 2012.
Goals: 0-1: Kuman, min. 9 (1); 0-2: Kuman, min. 5 (1); 1-2: Cristian T. (og) min. 8 (2); 2-2: Basquaise, min. 4 (3); 2-3: Pajón, min. 3 (3)
EURO BEACH SOCCER CUP MOSCOW 2012
Fri. 17.02.12
15:15 – Switzerland 3*-0 Romania – (Match 1)
16:30 – Spain 4-11 Italy – (Match 2)
17:45 – Portugal 5-3 Poland – (Match 3)
19:00 – Russia 5-1 France – (Match 4)
*http://www.beachsoccer.com/news/388
Sat. 18.02.12
13:00 – Romania 2-6 Poland – (Match 6)
14:15 – France 2-3 Spain – (Match 7)
15:30 – Switzerland 6-7 Portugal – (Match 8)
16:45 – Russia 4-1 Italy – (Match 9)
Sun. 19.02.12
13:00 – France vs. Romania– (7th/8th place)
14:15 – Spain vs. Poland– (5th/6th place)
15:30 – Italy vs. Switzerland – (3rd/4th place)
16:45 – Russia vs. Portugal – (FINAL)
