Spain, Russia and Switzerland seal early EBSL points

On an historic day for women’s beach soccer, the first ever three matches in a brand-new competition, the Women Euro Beach Soccer League, saw three normal time wins which see Russia, Spain and Switzerland each take three points.

Former champions England, after having an extra rest day on Thursday, will play their first match on Friday against Czech Republic .

UKR 2-4 ESP (Group A)

The Spanish women’s beach soccer team also had a more than remarkable debut in the Women’s Euro Beach Soccer League Nazaré, with a win against Ukraine to secure the first points at stake.

Ukraine, for their part, were making their debut on the international stage and competed well against the Olympic gold medallists.

Two goals in the first half from Lorena and Carmen Fresneda put the Spanish team in front early on in the match. Ukraine, whose core is made up of the current players from the European champion at club level, BSC Mriya 2006, managed to reply soon after the start of the second half, but Sara Tui restored the advantage for La Roja.

The Ukrainians would not go down without a fight, but the control rarely slipped from Spanish hands, and the advantage was increased with another goal, a second for Fresneda.

Klipachenko made it 2-4 in the final minutes, shaking the Spanish backline a little, but the hard-earned victory came in the end, and Spain go level with Switzerland in Group A.

Goals: 0-1: Lorena, min. 3 (1); 0-2: Carmen, min. 0 (1); 1-2: Davydenko, min. 10 (2); 1-3: Sara Tui, min. 6 (2); 1-4: Carmen, min. 7 (3); 2-4: Klipachenko, min. 4 (3);

RUS 4-1 CZE (Group B)

The ribbon was cut on the maiden edition of the Women’s Euro Beach Soccer League under the stormy skies of Nazaré on Thursday as Russia, the reigning champions of Europe, looked to mark their place in beach soccer history with an opening EBSL win.

Match 1 took a while to gather pace but the Russians slowly built pressure until, just 10 seconds before the first whistle, Gorshkova picked the pocket of Czech captain Marketa and broke the deadlock by firing in a low shot from the left wing.

In the second period, Czech Republic did well to hang on thanks to the heroics of keeper Sladka, but Gorshkova struck again, this time an easy tap in to an open net.

A final-period rally saw, Bouckova pull a goal back for Radim Necas’ side, but the two-goal gap was restored shortly after by Cherniakova, and to finish the Czech’s off, Zaitseva stretched to poke a fourth into the top corner.

Three points in the bag for Leonov’s ladies, and they move to the top of Group B with hopes of a third successive European title boosted. Czech Republic will meet England tomorrow while Russia enjoy a rest day.

Goals: 1-0: Gorshkova, min. 0 (1); 2-0: Gorshkova, min. 4 (2); 2-1: Cherniakova, min. 11 (3); 2-0: Bouckova, min. 10 (3); 4-1: Zaitseva, min. 3 (3);

SUI 3-1 NED (Group A)

A solid performance had the Swiss national team opening their account in Nazaré with the first points at stake in Group A at the Women’s Euro Beach Soccer League Nazaré 2021. The Alpine side overcame the Netherlands in a game that could have gone either way until the dying moments.

Fabiola Vincenz stood as the key player for the Nati today, with two goals that opened and closed their victory. Eva Bachman got her name in the scoresheet too, doubling the distance for Switzerland midway through the middle period.

Aaike Veschoor pulled one back for the Oranje, but their enthusiasm was immediately extinguished by Vincenz. A final score of 3-1 see Switzerland top the table in Group A, together with Spain, and will now aim for their second win in the competition tomorrow against Ukraine, in a game that could mean all-or-nothing for both sides and their expectations of making it to the final of this first stage of the Women’s Euro Beach Soccer League stage in Nazaré.

Goals: 1-0: Vincenz, min. 3(1); 2-0: Bachman, min. 8(2); 2-1: Veschoor, min. 11(3); 3-1: Vincenz, min. 9(3)

Results – 17.06.2021

RUS 4-1 CZE (Group B)
SUI 3-1 NED (Group A)
UKR 2-4 ESP (Group A)

Fixtures – 18.06.2021

ENG v CZE (Group B)
SUI v UKR (Group A)
ESP v NED (Group A)

Head to beachsoccer.com for full details on the Women’s Euro Beach Soccer League.