Spain and Israel, first winners!

Italy snatches second place in the EBSL Bern 2011 after bending Switzerland in the last game

Israel win the Division B stage in the EBSL Bern 2011

Israel will be in Moscow next August, fighting for the ticket to Division A. Lam’s surprising side ran over favourites Ukraine and thanks to a 5-2 victory they became the Division B champions of this Euro Beach Soccer League – Bern 2011, what automatically guarantees them a place in the EBSL Promotion Final.

The Israeli, although facing the current champions  of the European Qualifier for the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup, were confident in their possibilities, and that confidence was finally rewarded. They knew that they needed to be extremely competitive today, and they were, conceding their opponents few chances, and forcing them to do their best in every ball, in every clash, in every run. A rushing beginning was worth one goal for Israel, but that was not enough to get in control of the game, since Ukraine knew how to shift things on their favour and Riabchuk and Andreiev made it 1-2 rather quickly. But Amar was even quicker to strike back for the 2-2 which closed the first period.

That first horn somehow signaled the end of the road for Ukraine, too. As from the second period on, Israel became the commanders of the game, stepping ahead for the second time, thanks to Yatim, and never letting their opponents recover. Instead, they leant on a precise counterattack to progressively widen the distance with an amazing goal by captain Iloz, and the fifth by Yatim, which finally secured the first place, and the ticket to the Promotion Final, for Lam’s side.   

Goals: 1-0: Levi, min. 10 (1); 1-1: Riabchuk, min. 6 (1); 1-2: Andreiev, min. 4 (1); 2-2: Amar, min. 3 (1); 3-2: Yatim, min. 7 (2); 4-2: Iloz, min. 3 (2); 5-2: Yatim, min. 2 (3)

Spain do not ease off

La Roja did not slow down their march after mathematically winning yesterday the Euro Beach Soccer League – Bern 2011 stage, and got rid today of a cheeky Turkey that, although being their first stage in Division A, left a great impression. Spaniards clinch this way their ninth points in Switzerland and have their foot at the door of the EBSL Super Final.

One of the new sensations of Joaquin’s squad, Nelson, got the opener for his side, during the first period, and it was not until mid second leg that one of the Turkish target men, Ayhan, leveled things. But the Ottoman joy was ephemeral, since in the next minute, another newcomer, Aceitón, would rocket a ball in for the 2-1. In the following minutes, the Spaniards increased their advantage, and Juanma and Beiro made it 4-1, only to see Erhan cutting it a bit with his fourth goal in the tournament.

The 4-2 was stuck on the scoreboard for most of the last period, until Ayhan, with his second hit today, made the afternoon uneasy for La Roja. At least, the four minutes yet to be played. But experience was Spain’s best weapons in that last seconds, and Turkey could not find any crack to Xan’s nets, and the victory fell on the Spanish side.

Goals: 1-0: Nelson, min. 2 (1); 1-1: Ayhan, min. 7 (2); 2-1: Aceitón, min. 6 (2); 3-1: Juanma, min. 4 (2); 4-1: Miguel Beiro, min. 3 (2); 4-2: Erhan, min. 2 (2); 4-3: Ayhan, min. 4 (3)

Italy’s efficacy is superior to the Swiss

Switzerland could not keep the second place in this first Euro Beach Soccer League 2011 stage of Bern. The hosts found it impossible to recover after a solid beginning by the Azzurri, and ended hopeless in front of the Italian expertise. When the transalpine are ahead, it is difficult to bring them down. The Swiss knew it very well today.  

Italy were better during the first stages of the game, and enjoyed several dangerous chances to step ahead. Finally, Soria would sweep the Azzurri in front with a bright finishing, and Leghissa would dive to head a ball in after a great strategy movement just seconds afterwards. Things began turning too uphill for hosts Switzerland, and although Schirinzi cut the distance in the first minute of the second half, the 2-1 would remain until the next break.

Only twelve minutes left for Switzerland to try the final attack for the game, but it did not work. Instead, Italy took an excellent advantage of the Swiss needs, and two new goals by Soria finished all local chances, as well as gave the Italian number 9 the  

Goals: 1-0 : Soria, min. 3 (1); Leghissa, min. 3 (1); Schirinzi, min. 11 (2) ;  3-1: Soria, min. 2 (3) ; 4-1 : Soria, min. 0 (3)

Final Standings :

Champions Division A: Spain

Champions Division B: Israel

MVP: Juanma (Spain)

Top Scorer: Soria (Italy)

Best Goalkeeper: Simone del Mestre (Italy)

EURO BEACH SOCCER LEAGUE – BERN 2011

May 27th

Israel 6 – 3 Norway

Spain 5 – 3 Italy

Switzerland 6 – 4 Turkey

May 28th

Norway 2 – 3 Ukraine

Italy 9 – 4 Turkey

Switzerland 4 – 5 Spain

Matches today:

Israel 5 – 2 Ukraine

Spain 4 – 3 Turkey

Italy 1 – 4 Switzerland

DIVISION A – STANDINGS

DIVISION B – STANDINGS