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Italy gets the points thanks to a last-minute overhead kick by Palmacci. France needs penalty shootout to bend Belarus
Penalty-kick starter for France
The French National team had not an easy beginning into this new season in which they will be struggling to get out of Division B. In their first minutes of this Euro Beach Soccer League, Belarus forced them until the very last effort to get first points, and it was not until the penalty shootout after the extra time that the Frenchmen managed to get on top of their group, at least momentarily, in Ravenna.
France got to Italy a rather renewed squad, and they are definitely under construction to get back amongst the best teams in Europe. But this road is not an easy one, as Belarusian squad wanted to let them know, with a fierce resistance they even took further with Haiduk’s opener in the second period. Fortunately for Les Bleus, Samoun was skilled enough to turn a seemingly meaningless lost ball into the equalizer thanks to a brilliant overhead kick, with that 1-1 remaining untouched till the end of the game.
With a fruitless extra time, penalty shootout was the only way left to pass sentence into this opening game at the Euro Beach Soccer League – Ravenna 2011. And from the 9-meter spot, the French experience made the difference, with François managing what Remy would not allow Miranovich to.
Goals: 0-1: Haiduk, min. 8 (2); 1-1: Samoun, min. 6 (2)
Penalty Shootout: François: in; Miranovic, saved by Remy.
Switzerland does the homework
The Swiss knew that they needed to get some good results here in Ravenna if they wanted to see their way to the EBSL Superfinal unblocked. Other than clinching, at least, six points in this third stage of the Euro Beach Soccer League could get them out of the fight for the continental throne. They had no time to lose, then, in their second and last stage to play before the Moscow appointment, especially after the disappointing season opening at home with the EBSL Bern, in which they could only earn three points.
Fully acknowledging all these data, and far from felling extra pressure but being absolutely self-confident, the Alpine quickly got into duty against Romania, with Leu slotting the ball in twice in the first minutes to get a comfortable position for his team. On their side, the Romanians, with their Division A place already secured for next season, came to Italy looking for a place in the Superfinal as well, and would not give up that early, regardless facing current World Cup runner-ups. They tried to counteract all through the game, only to find Switzerland repeatedly putting their advantage safe with goals by Stankovic, Schirinzi and Meier.
Tanase’s attempt would manage a merited 5-3 for Romania, but that was just the closer they would ever get, as a smashing run by the Alpine would make it 8-3 with only three minutes to go. Say it in other words: They finished the game. Maci would offer another instance of his brilliantness with the 8-4, but Leu would let the game end just as it began, with him slotting the ball in to leave the score 9-4.
Goals: 1-0: Leu, min. 7 (1); 2-0: Leu, min. 6 (1) ; 2-1 : M. Poste, min. 11 (2) ; 3-1 : Stankovic, min. 6 (2) ; 4-1 : Schirinzi, min. 5 (2) ; 4-2 : Maci, min. 3 (2) ; 5-2 : Meier, min. 3 (2) ; 5-3 : Tanase, min. 1 (2) ; 6-3 : Stankovic, min 9 (3) ; 7-3 : Spacca, min. 4 (3); 8-3: Rodrigues, min. 3 (3); 8-4: Maci, min. 2 (3); 9-4: Leu, min. 0 (3).
Palmacci gives Italy the points in last second
A long ball amazingly caught by Palmacci’s scissor kick meant a last minute winner for Italy over Poland in their debut in this Euro Beach Soccer League stage they are hosting in Ravenna. The victory virtually sends Italy into the Euro Beach Soccer 2011 Super Final, and only a misfortunes conjunction would ban the way for the Azzurri. With nine points achieved so far, Esposito’s lads have two chances to finish any option for their prosecutors and mathematically check in for the Superfinal in Moscow.
Besides Palmacci’s winner, the game had another turning point for the hosts: Spada amazingly saving the penalty kick missile by Saganowski in the last period. That was a true mood-changing moment, as Poland had managed to equalize Soria’s opener for Italy and that was their golden chance to get ahead. But the brilliant Italian goalie did not let it happen, and the 1-1 remained until his teammate’s brilliant closing.
Goals: 1-0: Soria, min. 4 (3); 1-1: Olejniczak, min. 9 (2); 2-1: Palmacci, min. 0 (3)
EURO BEACH SOCCER LEAGUE – RAVENNA 2011
Game results:
France 1(1) – 1(0)Belarus
Switzerland 9 – 4 Romania
Italy 2 – 1 Poland
Matches for tomorrow:
15:30 – Azerbaijan vs. Belarus
16:45 – Switzerland vs. Poland
18:00 – Italy vs. Romania
