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Russia crowned European champions after winning EBSL Superfinal in magic game in front of their crowd

The Euro Beach Soccer League could not have a better ending for Russia, after winning the Superfinal in an unforgettable match against Switzerland. The battle between the two European superpowers held the real essence of Beach Soccer, adding a dramatic ending of the game with the Russian turning around a really difficult situation.

The crowd was ready to enjoy a great party in Moscow. No one thought about anything else than seeing Leonov lift the Cup to become the kings of the sport in Europe, the best way, undoubtedly, to reach Ravenna in a couple of weeks for the World Cup. But Switzerland were not thinking in playing a secondary role in this supposed party, and poured three buckets of cold water at the very beginning of the game, to calm the atmosphere down. 0-3 was the unexpected result by the end of first period but, although the faithful fans might see things a little too dark, Likhachev’s squad were absolutely confident in their possibilities.

Not even Stankovic’s new hit for the 1-4, seconds after Makarov managed to finally open the Russian account, was enough to place in the Russian’s mind the lightest idea of giving up, and Leonov shouted that there was nothing to fear with the 2-4. From that moment on, Likhachev’s soldiers became unstoppable for the Swiss, and Shkarin and Krasheninnikov made their fears come true, leveling the score before the second period ended.

The third leg was just the confirmation of the festival, with one name arising above the rest. Shishin, with two goals that made him the tournament’s hardest hitter, confirmed the epic evening for Russia, recovering a crown which spent this last year in Portugal.

Goals: 0-1 : Borer, min. 6 (1) ; 0-2 : Stankovic, min. 4 (1); 0-3: Stankovic, min. 0 (1); 1-3: Makarov, min. 11 (2); 1-4: Stankovic, min. 11 (2); 2-4: Leonov, min. 10 (2); 3-4: Shkarin, min. 8 (2); 4-4: Krasheninnikov ; min. (2); 5-4 : Shishin, min. 3 (3) ; 6-4 : Shishin, min. 1 (3).

Portugal forced to work hard for 3rd place

Up to 18 penalty shots were needed to decide who was to take the bonze position in this Euro Beach Soccer League 2011 Superfinal. And it was Portugal, who, despite not being able to reedit their continental crown as being sidelined from the final, will be able to stay into the top three of the continental beach soccer. Romania was really close to a historic achievement, but they will finally end up one step below the podium, in what stands as their best highest rank ever, anyway.

Portugal had an unpleasant beginning into the game, as Raj surprised with the opener by mid first period, and it was not until mid second leg than the Portuguese could equalize the game, by means of a left-foot shot by Belchior. The draw remained until the last minutes of the game, and when Jordan swept Portugal ahead it seemed that the bronze was heading for the Iberian Peninsula. But it wasn’t, as Croi highlighted with a new equalizer from further the halfway line, to send the game into extra time. In that additional leg, the story was again reproduce, with Madjer tapping in a brilliant collective move with little more than one minute for the end, making everyone think that, this time, the game was finished. Guess what… the mighty Romanians did not agree with that, and with just seven seconds to the horn, I. Poste thundered a free kick right into Graça’s goalmouth for the 3-3 and the Portuguese desperation.

There was only one way left to decide the winner: the penalty shootout. But it was, again, not going to be that easy, that quick. It was not until the 18th attempt that Romania’s goalkeeper, Gandac, sent his shot over the crossbar, thus confirming the advantage achieved by his counterpart in the previous kick.

Goals: 1-0: Raj, min. 7 (1); 1-1: Belchior, min. 8 (2); 1-2: Jordan, min. 3 (3); 2-2: Croi, min. 1 (3) ; 2-3 : Madjer, min. 1 (et) ; 3-3 : I. Poste, min. 0 (et)

Penalty shootout : Alan, in ; M. Poste, in; Belchior, in; Maci, in; Madjer, in; I. Poste, in; Bruno Torres; in; Boata, in; Marinho, out, Croi, out ; Jordan, out ; Tanase, out ; Lucio, in ; Luci , in ; Coimbra, in ; Raj, in ; Graça, in ; Gandac, out.

Improving sensations before World Cup

Italy farewelled the European Season with a loud victory over Spain, which will leave them better sensations regarding to the upcoming FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup they are hosting in Ravenna. After opening the score in the first second of the game in a brilliant move, the Azzurri never let any option to the Spaniards, to build a final 0-5 that speaks clearly about their superiority today.

Regardless the result, and seeing themselves three places below than their result last season, the sweetest message for the Italians to keep is that Soria, with three new goals today, can be a solid alternative when luck does not smile to their other goal hunter, Palmacci. Both help the Italian side gain offensive options, and complete a solid, all-round squad treasuring different profiles to get the work done at any moment, and under any circumstances. Seeing all that, and adding the support of their crowd in Ravenna, no one should rule the Italian options for the World Cup out… Italy is always Italy.

Goals : Soria, min. 11 (1) 0-2 : Del Mestre, min. 1 (1); 0-3 : Soria, min.0 (1); 0-4: Ramacciotti, min. 7 (3); 0-5: Soria, min 0 (3)

EURO BEACH SOCCER LEAGUE 2011 – SUPERFINAL & PROMOTION FINAL MOSCOW

Game results

Thursday, August 4th
Switzerland 6 – 7 Italy
Turkey 3 – 1 Belarus
Netherlands 4 – 5 France
Russia 8 – 1 Romania

Friday, August 5th
13:30 – Israel 1 – 3 France
14:45 – Czech Rep. 2 – 5 Belarus
16:00 – Portugal 3 – 1  Italy
17:15h – Russia 4 – 2  Spain

Saturday, August 6th
13:30 – Netherlands 5 – 7 Israel
14:45 – Turkey 12 – 2 Czech Rep
16:00 – Switzerland 5 – 2 Portugal
17:15h – Spain 2 – 3 Romania

Sunday, August 7th
10:30 – Czech Republic 3(1) – 3(0) Netherlands (Promotion Final 5th/6th place)
12:00 – Spain  0 – 5 Italy (Superfinal 5th/6th place)
13:30 – Belarus 1 (1) – 1 (2) Israel (Promotion final 3rd/4th place)
14:45 – Turkey 3 – 6 France (PROMOTION FINAL)
16:00 – Romania 3 (6 ) – 3(7) Portugal (Superfinal 3rd/4th place)
17:15 – Russia 6 – 4 Switzerland (SUPERFINAL)
 
Final standings:
Euro Beach Soccer League – Superfinal Moscow 2011
Winner – RUSSIA
Runner-up – Switzerland
3rd place – Portugal
4th place – Romania
5th place – Italy
6th place – Spain

Euro Beach Soccer League – Promotion Final Moscow 2011
WINNER – FRANCE (promotes to Division A)
Runner-up – Turkey (goes to Division B)
3rd place – Israel
4th place – Belarus
5th place – Czech Republic
6th place – Netherlands

Individual awards
MVP: Stankovic (SUI)
Top Scorer: Shishin (RUS) – 7 goals
Best Goalkeeper: Valentin (SUI)