Spain and Italy to compete for the Euro Beach Soccer League – Superfinal crown

Portugal and Belarus will complete for bronze

Two semi-finals took place in the Euro Beach Soccer League – Superfinal to decide who would compete for the trophy in Alghero…

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Semi-finals
Spain to compete for silverware
Spain beat Belarus 4-2.

The first of two semi-finals was a fixture between Belarus and Spain, as both nations had their eyes set on securing a place in the final.

Both sides failed to break the deadlock in the opening period as the nations went in at the first interval level pegging, with points to prove in the second period.

Bryshtsel made the eventual breakthrough in the match, putting Belarus 1-0 ahead with around half of the second period played. However, the lead lasted for less than three minutes as Spain struck twice in quick succession through Batis and Chiky, giving them the advantage for the first time in the encounter. The second period scoring didn’t stop there for the Spaniards either, with Oliver netting Spain’s third goal, 28 seconds from the period’s conclusion.

Belarus scored the first goal of the third period, as Hapon found the net to bring his nation within one goal of Spain. Despite this, Kuman fired back rapidly for the Spanish team to make the final score 4-2.

A final on home turf for Italy
Italy win 2-1 against Portugal.

After the first semi-final occurred, Italy and Portugal knew a victory would see them compete for the trophy against Spain.

Bê Martins sent Portugal in front in the opening minute of the game, after cleverly shifting the ball onto his left foot, before expertly finishing into the bottom-right corner. Italy didn’t let conceding dampen their spirits as Bertacca leveled the scoring a few minutes later, as the scores were equal after one period played.

In the second period, following Sciacca’s overhead kick which struck the post, Giordani was there on the follow-up to convert from close range as Italy took the lead for the first time in the encounter, to the delight of the home support in Alghero. Portugal continued to pile on the pressure for the remaining seven minutes of the period, but couldn’t find the equaliser.

The final 12 minutes were extremely tense for both sides, with chances coming at both ends throughout. However, Italy held up strong to secure their spot to play against Spain in the final.

Play-offs
5th-8th place
Ott fires in four
The first play-off match of the day saw Switzerland win 7-5 against Denmark. Noel Ott shone for the Swiss side once again, finding the back of the net on four occasions in the fixture. Wegeberg scored a hat-trick for the Danes inside two periods, but his nation fell short to their opponents.

Marian leads Romania to triumph
In the second play-off encounter, Romania defeated Germany 4-2. Three goals from Marian put the Romanians well on their way to a win, as Andrescu’s third period finish sealed the victory.

9th-11th place
Pietrasiak strikes for Poland
Poland came out on top 6-3 winners over Estonia, as they competed against one another in the third play-off match of the day in Alghero. Pietrasiak’s netted a brace for the Polish side as he helped them to another victory, with the win securing them ninth place.

12th-15th place
Ramil rises to the occasion
The penultimate play-off fixture of the day was a battle between Azerbaijan and Greece, as the Azerbaijanis won the match 6-3. Ramil scored a hat-trick in the match for Azerbaijan, as Nazarov netted a brace for the nation.

Moldova complete comback
Moldova overcame France 3-2, to conclude the day’s play-off action. Bru scored a brace for France, but Moldova outscored the Frenchman through Cojocari, Borovschi and Moraru.