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MY BEACH SOCCER 
Azerbaijan and Estonia want to maximize chances of earning Promotion Final spot following wins in debut at this EBSL Moscow 2014
Hat-trick helps Estonia earn 1st points in Moscow
The 7-3 win for Estonia over Moldova was very impressive and showed how exciting beach soccer matches can be. Estonia was in disbelief at the early goal they conceded and were shell-shocked though they regrouped in the first break and came out with three goals in the middle frame while shutting down Moldova until the final minutes of the last period. Estonia continued their push and were rewarded with a comfortable win and a hat trick from their own Saharov.
It did not take long for the scoring to get started as Moldova struck first in the opening minutes on a very clever back header, leaving the Estonian defense shocked. Estonia did a nice job of preventing further damage though they were unable to muster any offense. The period ended with a score of 1-0, Moldova. The offensive chances continued to pile up but no more goals were scored until Estonia scored the equalizer and added another quick goal to take their first lead of the match near the middle of the second frame, and added another one in the dying seconds of the period for the 3-1. The tables had been turned as the Moldovan side found themselves down heading into the final frame.
The game was still from over but in the opening minute of the final frame, Estonia added to their lead, scoring their fourth of the match to take a comfortable three goal lead. Moldova were in desperate need of some offense but they were forced to stay on their heels with the Estonians keeping the pressure on. Moldova did not give up as they know that in beach soccer, anything can happen, though they were only able to score two more goals and gave up seven in all. The match ended with Estonia up 7-3.
Goals: 0-1: Negara, min. 9 (1); 1-1: Saharov, min. 8 (2); 2-1: Marmor, min. 7 (2); 3-1: Rump, min. 0 (2); 4-1: Saharov, min. 11 (3); 5-1: Maeorg, min. 7 (3); 6-1: Saharov, min. 4 (3); 6-2: Comlionoc, min. 3; 7-2: Aniko, min. 0 (3); 7-3: Baesu, min. 0 (3).
Azerbaijan overcomes slow start to earn 3 points
The 3-1 victory for Azerbaijan over Kazakhstan was hard fought and seemed in doubt for much of the match. Neither side was able to punish the others’ mistakes in a scoreless first period and then almost midway through the middle frame, Kazakhstan scored to take the lead. Azerbaijan rebounded and knotted the match at one just before the second period ended. Excitement was plentiful in the final frame as it seemed as both teams had discovered their offensive skills and began driving the ball more, but Azerbaijan was the only team to score as they added two goals to secure the win.
As the minutes ticked away, the tension grew as neither side was able to connect on their great chances in the opening minutes. The two Division B teams were putting good pressure on each other but the offenses could not gain any traction. The period ended how the game began, tied at zero. The endeavors added up and both teams were playing at a frantic pace.The goalies were not asked to do too much, however when they were called up, they answered spectacularly. Kazakhstan began attacking more and more and a beautiful display of passing and touch gave them the first goal of the match. Not long after, Azerbaijan were awarded a direct kick in a dangerous area and struck it well to tie the score at one going into the final frame.
The final frame began with fireworks as Amid scored on one of the most spectacular of bicycle kicks to give Azerbaijan their first lead of the match. That goal helped create even more intensity from both sides, though a sloppy pass led to an easy goal for Azerbaijan and they were very appreciative to take the two goal lead. Things then leveled as both sides were not able to get anymore shots past the goalkeepers and the match ended with a score of Azerbaijan 3-1 Kazakhstan.
Goals: 0-1: Yerokhnovich, min. 8 (2); 1-1: Hikmat, min. 1 (2); 2-1: Amid, min. 11 (3); 3-1: Sabir, min. 8 (3).
Spain starts their EBSL Moscow campaign with convincing win
Spain was victorious in a 4-1 thriller over Belarus. The match had the goalies and goalposts keep things level until Spain finally broke through early in the second period, only to have Belarus fight back until the Spaniards deservedly put things away late in the third frame. The win gives Spain nine points through four Euro Beach Soccer League games and they target the top spot. Spain will face Greece on Saturday. Belarus will have the chance to rebound against Russia on Saturday.
The opening minutes of the match felt and looked more like a final than an opening match for these two teams. Both played very quick and narrowly missed scoring on multiple chances. Neither side was able to capitalize and the opening period went scoreless. Spain broke the stalemate only two minutes into the middle frame when Juanma struck a wonderful long range shot that ended up hitting the back of the net. The goal had a strengthening effect on the Spanish side and their star, Llorenç added a goal late in the second period to add to the Spanish lead. The feelings of safety were soon vanished as Belarus scored directly on the restart to bring the score to 2-1, advantage Spain, which is how the period would end.
Shots on goal and physical play dominated the early minutes of the final frame but both defenses held strong. In the need of a safety goal for a more comfortable lead, Spain pushed their attack and were knocking on the door but could not get through at the outset of the final frame. That changed late in the period when Antonio netted a goal off of a direct kick in the middle of the pitch, that restored Spain’s two goal lead. A late goal would give Spain a nice safety cushion as they ended the game up 4-1.
Goals: 1-0: Juanma, min. 10 (2); 2-0: Llorenç, min. 4 (2); 2-1: Bokach, min. 4 (2); 3-1: Antonio, min. 4 (3); 4-1: Pajón, min. 3 (3).
Russia puts Superfinal destiny back in own hands
Although it could seem different, the 7-0 shutout for Russia over Greece was very close until the middle period when the Russians took over. A last minute goal in the opening period seemed to break the Greeks’ backs. A slow start for both teams led to two riveting final periods. Greece will have a chance to rebound against Spain on Saturday and are in need of at least one win to realize their dreams of a Superfinal appearance, which would be amazing in and of itself as they were just in the promotion final less than a year ago. Russia now controls their own fate for the Superfinal after they lost two of three opening matches in EBSL Catania. They are still in need of at least one more win this weekend and they will have the first chance against Belarus on Saturday.
Russia knew they needed to come out strong and Makarov took it upon himself, scoring after a great run to give the Russians the early lead. The Greeks adapted to the fast and physical play of Russia and limited the host’s chances while making more of their own. A last minute goal in the first period doubled Russia’s’ lead to 2-0 and that is how the period ended. The middle frame began just how Likhachev’s side could have wanted, with two quick goals, and they continued to attack so as to limit the chances for a Greek comeback. The Russians began to pile on the goals with beautiful passing and by taking advantage of penalties and set pieces, as their defense remained stout and did well to keep the Greeks off the scoreboard throughout the first two periods. The Russians went into the final break up 5-0.
The third period began with Russian keeping their foot on the gas, but in the early going the Greeks held their back line and thwarted the Russian attacks. Russia was not satisfied and despite some brilliant saves by Greece, the Russians knew they would break through again and eventually did, ballooning their lead to six. The Greeks still made the most of their chances on the counter attack and got a few good looks at goal, but the Russian keeper was privy to every shot and was able to maintain the shut out. Late drama saw a red card and two yellow cards issued, a red to Russia’s Shishin, and a yellow to Greece’s Nektarios Bertsias and Nikolaou, though nothing came about from the sending off. The Russians closed the game with another goal, making the final score 7-0, Russia.
Goals: 0-1: Makarov, min. 10 (1); 0-2: Shkarin, min. 0 (1); 0-3: Eremeev, min. 11 (2); 0-4: Krash, min. 11 (2); 0-5: Peremitin, min. 8 (2); 0-6: Makarov, min. 4 (3); 0-7: Shkarin, min. 0 (3).
EURO BEACH SOCCER LEAGUE MOSCOW 2014
Fri 11.07.14
16:45 – Estonia7-3 Moldova (Division B)
18:00 – Azerbaijan 3-1 Kazakhstan (Division B)
19:15 – Spain 4-1 Belarus (Division A)
20:30 – Greece 0-7 Russia (Division A)
Matches for tomorrow
Sat 12.07.14
16:45 – Estonia vs. Azerbaijan (Division B)
18:00 – Kazakhstan vs. Moldova (Division B)
19:15 – Spain vs. Greece (Division A)
20:30 – Russia vs. Belarus (Division A)
