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MY BEACH SOCCER 
Just 4 of 12 teams in the Euro Beach Soccer League Nazaré stage are yet to taste defeat as groups take shape
A strangely symmetrical Spanish routing of Azerbaijan saw La Roja jump to the top of the Group 2 table while another 3-1 victory was enough for Portugal to do the same in Group 1.
Russia netted five to see off Turkey who are still to pick up points in this stage of the Euro Beach Soccer League, and Poland let a comfortable four-goal advantage slip against the comeback kings of Switzerland.
In Division B, Georgia made it six points out of six when they cruised past Norway to go top, while Denmark missed out by a single goal against Bulgaria.
DIVISION A
Spain 6 – 0 Azerbaijan (Division A – Group 2)
With a win in today’s tie, La Roja would rise to the top of the group, but Azerbaijan had shown Russia yesterday that they were not to be brushed aside easily.
Edu found the net first as he intercepted a pass between defenders to flash in a low shot. Chiky then doubled the advantage with a spectacular finish.
Azerbaijan had threatened too, but went into the first break in play trailing. Edu struck again almost immediately after the restart and, following the pattern, Chiky found the space to hit an identical overhead to his first.
The third and final period began with Joaquin Alonso’s side cruising at 4-0 and, as if by clockwork, Edu netted his third of the match closely followed by – you guessed it – Chiky! Both scored a goal in each period to end the game on hat-tricks and bury Azerbaijan’s hopes of points on day two.
They will have the final opportunity tomorrow against Turkey, while Spain are set to contest the Group 2 topspot against Russia.
Goals: 1-0: Edu, min. 6 (1); 2-0: Chiky, min. 4 (1); 3-0: Edu, min.11 (2); 4-0: Chiky, min. 7 (2); 5-0: Edu, min. 8 (3); 6-0: Chiky, min. 4 (3);
Portugal 3 – 1 Ukraine (Division A – Group 1)
The gold medalists of Europe have now turned their attention to a different continental crown, and in their way stood Ukraine, who were fresh and full of confidence after Friday’s win over Switzerland.
Portugal too had tasted victory, and the winner of today’s match would shoot to the top of the group. The home crowd spurred their heroes on and Jordan buried a bicycle kick to put the hosts ahead midway through the first period.
Just two minutes before the first whistle, Zavorotnyi equalised for Ukraine with an incredible overhead volley and at the break it was one goal apiece.
After the restart Bruno Torres blasted Portugal ahead and the crowd went wild and before the second break there was time for Belchior to get his name on the scoresheet too, and Portugal lead by two goals at the start of the third period.
Try as they might, Ukraine couldn’t break through to find those equalizing goals and Portugal took their second 3-1 victory in as many days, and tomorrow will go head-to-head with Switzerland.
Goals: 1-0: Jordan, min. 6 (1); 1-1: Zavorotnyi, min. 2 (1); 2-1: Torres, min. 8 (2); 3-1: Belchior, min. 4 (2);
Switzerland 7 -6 Poland (Division A – Group 1) *AET
Losing today would put one of these sides in real danger of not making it to the Superfinal this year, after both lost their opening game in Nazaré.
After missing out narrowly to hosts Portugal on Friday, Poland burst onto the sand in today’s match, as goalkeeper Marciniak sent a sublime effort the whole length of the pitch to hit the top corner. This spectacular strike was followed up by an assist for the keeper, who saw a second long ball nodded in by Friszkemut to make it two.
Things went from bad to worse for the Swiss when Gac headed in a third and Jesionowski saw a low shot slip past the keeper to make it 0-4 after just four minutes.
The Swiss were looking overwhelmed but Stankovic seemed to break Polish momentum with a goal from close range to get his side off the mark before the break.
Hodel scored in the second period but Schirinzi’s men still looked to be second best. It wasn’t until the final third that Switzerland jumped into action. Stankovic scored two overheads in as many minutes to level up and Poland had let a four-goal lead slip.
Then two quick-fire goals from Glenn Hodel completed the incredible comeback, with just half of a period to play. Poland were chasing for the first time in the match, but Jesionowski netted from close range and then they found an equaliser when Madani put away a freekick to force extra time.
After just one of the added three minutes, Borer flew in to bury a volley and put the Swiss ahead once more and this time it was enough to break Polish hearts and confirm a stunning comeback as the final whistle blew.
Goals: 0-1: Marciniak, min. 11 (1); 0-2: Friszkemut, min. 11 (1); 0-3: Gac, min. 10 (1); 0-4: Jesionowski, min. 8 (1); 1-4: Stankovic, min. 4 (1); 2-4: Hodel, min. 8 (2); 3-4: Stankovic, min. 11 (3); 4-4: Stankovic, min. 9 (3); 4-5: Hodel, min. 9 (3); 4-6: Hodel, min. 7 (3); 5-6: Jesionowski, min. 5 (3); 6-6: Madani, min. 1 (3); 7-6: Borer, min. 2 (ET);
Russia 5 – 2 Turkey (Division A – Group 2)
Turkey had lost against last year’s finalist, Spain, in their first match and Russia had dropped two points after being dragged to the penalty spot by a resilient Azerbaijani team, so points were a must for today’s match.
Volkan opened the scoring for the Turks with a cheeky chip after six minutes, knocking the ball over the approaching goalkeeper.
Raskin found an equaliser with two minutes to spare, and then another brilliant chip saw Fedorov loop the ball over the Parkhomenko to take a lead before the first whistle.
Zharikov put away a bouncing overhead to make it three to Russia but moments later Cem Keskin rushed in to meet a corner and volley in a spinning shot. Nikonorov did the same three minutes later to restore a two-goal cushion.
Turkey tried to cut the difference but couldn’t break through the Russian defence. Nikonorov then bagged a brace with a final strike, putting the game to bed and wrapping up all three much-needed points.
Goals: 0-1: Volkan, min. 6 (1); 1-1: Raskin, min. 2 (1); 2-1: Fedorov, min. 2 (1); 3-1: Zharikov, min. 7 (2); 3-2: Cem Keskin, min. 6 (2); 4-2: Nikonorov, min. 3 (2); 5-2: Nikonorov, min. 3 (3);
DIVISION B
Norway 3 – 6 Georgia (Division B)
Both Norway and Georgia had won their Division B ties the previous day after scoring four goals, and victory today would see the winner go top of the group.
Norwegian keeper, Thomas Sandsor, opened the scoring with a rocket from his own penalty area, and although Georgia fought furiously to get back on level terms, the first whistle sounded with the scores at 1-0.
However, once the second period began, it was all one-way traffic and the Georgians upped their attacking game. First Shamiladze struck after two minutes. Then a ridiculous hit from Ivaniadze saw him bury a shot from way inside his own half.
He scored another not long after to make it three to Georgia and when Kokoladza muscled off the defender to turn and shoot past the keeper, Norway were in full retreat. Makharadze scored number five just before the second break but at the restart Norway hit back through Salveson who scrambled the ball over the line.
Time was running out and one more goal at either end, courtesy of Senja and Makharadze, saw the final score settled at 3-6. Georgia top the group with one matchday still to play.
Goals: 1-0: Sandsor, min. 4 (1); 1-1: Shamiladze, min. 10 (2); 1-2: Ivaniadze, min. 9 (2); 1-3: Ivaniadze, min. 6 (2); 1-4: Kokoladza, min. 5 (2); 1-5: Makharadze, min. 3 (2); 2-5: Salveson, min. 4 (3); 3-5: Senja, min. 3 (3); 3-6: Makharadze, min. 1 (3);
Bulgaria 4 – 3 Denmark (Division B)
Denmark and Bulgaria had lost their matches yesterday and were in dire need of points. After a tight first half of the opening period, Filip Filipov suddenly netted twice in the space of a minute, the first running in to meet a cross and the second managing to deflect a wide shot into the net.
But the Danes had an immediate reaction as Casper Dorph drove in a low shot straight from the kick off. A minute later, Dorph scored again, but he put a miss-placed backpass past his own keeper to put Bulgaria 3-1 ahead.
The second period began with Denmark two goals behind but far from out of the tie. Towards the end of the period, Filipov slid in in typical poacher-fashion to get the faintest of touches on a loose ball to turn in his third.
Kjobek took the score to 4-2 two minutes before the second break and with the deficit at just two, Denmark were not far behind with 12 minutes still to play.
Dorph scored his second of the match for Ian Skott’s side, but that was all they could muster as time eventually ran out for the Danes, who sit in fourth position. Bulgaria go level on points with Norway going into the final matchday.
Goals: 1-0: Filipov, min. 5 (1); 2-0: Filipov, min. 5 (1); 2-1: Dorph, min. 5 (1); 3-1: Dorph (OG), min. 4 (1); 4-1: Filipov min. 4 (2); 4-2: Kjobek min. 2 (2); 4-3: Dorph min. 3 (3);
For all the fixtures, results and standings of the Euro Beach Soccer League Nazaré 2019, click here.
