Switzerland on top in Nazare as France bag first points

A second Stankovic hat-trick helped Switzerland just edge ahead of Portugal in the league table as Germany fall to France

Switzerland and France were the victors in today’s two matches in Nazare, while Ukraine remain on one point after falling to three Stankovic goals, and Germany are the only side yet to register a win in the tournament.

The Euro Beach Soccer League Superfinal in Nazare is heating up!

Switzerland are looking the most likely to dethrone the reigning champions as they sneak ahead of them on goals scored, as they are currently level with Portugal and points and goal difference.

France took a vital win in a truly thrilling tie against Germany where nine spectacular goals were netted, and Les Bleus see themselves move up to third in the league table.

A Stankovic hat-trick gets Switzerland on top in Nazaré

The Swiss overtook Portugal to lead the Superfinal group with a win against Ukraine on Day 3 in Nazare. Angelo Schirinzi’s men sit on same points as the hosts, and the same goal difference, but just have their noses in front for now thanks to having scored more goals -six of which have been score by their big number nine, Dejan Stankovic.

In a solid win over Ukraine today. Dejan Stankovic netted a second hat-trick in as many days, grabbing a second consecutive win at this Euro Beach Soccer League Superfinal Nazaré.

As everyone expected, the game was tightly contested, and every ball was fought for like if it was the last one. From the beginning. Ukraine wanted to let the Swiss know that they would not let them get ahead easily, and despite Hodel opening the score for the Nati, Zborovskiy replied to leave things one apiece before the first break.  

Dejan Stankovic made the difference in the second period for Schirinzi’s side, as two goals by the Alpine bomber, both from dead ball situations, helped the team get comfortably in command during the second frame.

Zborovskiy scored his second goal of the day to cut the deficit in half for Ukraine from the penalty spot, adding extra spice to the third period, but the Ukrainian efforts went no go further as they were constantly unable to break down the Swiss backline, and thanks also to a great performance by Elliott between the Swiss sticks. To wrap things up, Stankovic added to the Swiss advantage, completing his hat-trick and grabbing three more points for Switzerland.

Goals: 0-1: Hodel, min. 7(1); 1-1: Zborovskiy, min. 4 (1); 1-2: Stankovic, min. 8 (2); 1-3: Stankovic, min. 3; 2-3: Zborovskiy, min. 8 (3); 2-4: Stankovic, min. 1 (3);

Germany unable to complete comeback as France bag first points

France and Germany clashed for their first points in an incredibly tightly-fought game, with Die Mannschaft falling one goal short after a spirited comeback. The narrow win by Les Bleus get them their first points of the week, and leaves Germany at the bottom of the table, the only side yet to register a win.  

Just as they did yesterday, the Germans managed to go ahead and open the scoring and once again, it was the debutant Mutu’s effort, which takes the young players tally to two goals in two days. That put Die Mannschaft ahead at the first whistle, although the French were enjoying better of the scoring chances.

The pressure built in the second leg until a three-goal run changed the game up drastically. Shillingford, Gosselin and Belhomme pushed Barrabe’s side comfortably ahead undoing the efforts made by their opponents. Gosselin’s goal, it is worth mentioning, was a brilliant Brazilian-style piece of one-touch beach soccer.

In the third period, the Germans tried to get back in the race, and not one minute into the period, Valon Beqiri fired a long-range free-kick home to cut the distance in half, and get his team ready for the final assault. 

Soon after though, a wayward pass by German goalkeeper Marius Ebener, an uncharacteristic mistake, was pounced on by Dionizion Santos Dias, who did not miss the chance to widen the distance again for his side. 

Germany never gave up though, and with two minutes remaining, Beqiri pulled another rabbit from the hat, with a magnificent bicycle kick that cut the French advantage in half, although that goal was immediately cancelled out by Seb Huck. Metzler tried again for the 1998 champions, but the minute remaining was not time enough for Marrucci’s side to finish the job, and they slip to the bottom of the league table.

Goals: 1-0: Mutu, min. 7(1); 1-1: Shillingford, min. 9 (2); 1-2: Gosselin, min. 7(2); 1-3: Belhomme, min. 1 (2); 2-3: Beqiri, min. 11 (3); 2-4: Santos Dias, min. 6 (3); 3-4: Beqiri, min. 2 (3); 3-5: Huck, min. 1 (3); 4-5: Metzler, min. 1 (3)

Head to beachsoccer.com for more information on the 2020 Euro Beach Soccer League.