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Spain, Portugal, Russia and Poland power too much for opponents and earn three points in Superfinal opening
Poland flexes muscles in win
The first match in the Superfinal for Division A was a close game that was not decided until the final period as both sides looked destined to win at different points in the match. It was a low scoring test for both teams and Poland finished on top by a score of 3-1 after they scored two goals in the third period.
The physical play of Ukraine and Poland was very evident from the opening possession and set the tone for the opening period. The physical play morphed into finesse and an acrobatic goal by Ukraine gave them the advantage 1-0 in the middle of the period. Most of the first period was spent in the danger zone of Polands´ goal, but they only managed to crack the defense once for a goal. Poland found some creases in the Ukrainian defense though and scored at the end of the period and the score was 1-1 going to the 2nd period.
Chances were abundant in the middle frame and they went from side to side. One second there was a beautiful attempt on the Polish end and the next second Ukraine was attempting a bicycle kick on the other side of the field. The score remained the same late into the period though a goal was netted for Ukraine that was disallowed because the scoring playing committed a hand foul. There was no change in score and the second period ended tied at 1.
The third period had a few mistakes from both teams but none of them turned into points and the score was tied heading into the final minutes when Poland scored on a powerful shot to complete the comeback, as they were down – early but scored 2 unanswered goals to go up 1-2. To make sure they didn?t allow a Ukrainian comeback, the Poles scored again to go up by -two goals. That is how the game would end, 1-3, Poland.
The clutch effort from the Polish side have them sitting nicely with three points and looking towards the EBSL Championship. Ukraine needs to win the rest of their matches to stay alive for the final, put money on it, they will do all they can to make the finals.
Goals: 1-0: Zborovskyi, min. 8 (1); 1-1: Ziober, min. 2 (1); 1-2: Saganowski, min. 6 (3); 1-3: Baran, min. 4 (3).
Russia wins in championship form
One of the most dominant forces currently in Beach Soccer used a big first period and precision passing to narrowly defeat a very good Dutch side. Russia used their versatile Beach Soccer skills to win 5-4 over The Netherlands. Russia has already been crowned Europe?s´ best twice, last in 2011, and they began this tournament just how they wanted, with a unifying win. The Netherlands hung with Russia most of the match and the valuable experience against the current FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup Champions will serve them well when they travel to Tahiti for the next Beach Soccer World Cup installment this September as well as the rest of this tournament.
The current World Champions, Russia, began by attacking the goal and they utilized superb passing and monstrous shots to keep The Netherlands on their heels. It worked during the first period, but Holland held strong until the halfway point in the first when Shkarin was left open and connected on a rebound to put his side up 1-0. After the goal, the Dutch decided to push forward more and most of the latter half of the first period was spent on Russia?s side of the field. In the final seconds Russia capitalized on one of the few counter attacks chances they had late in the period and added to their lead just as the first period ended. Russia went up 2-0 heading to the second.
The second period saw a different Holland team and the scoreboard reflected that as The Netherlands scored early to get within one goal. Russia sensed the shift and confidence building in the Dutch and countered just two minutes later for another goal to push their lead back to 2 goals. Both offenses were clicking in the period and Russia as well as The Netherlands scored again, ending the period with a score of 2-4, advantage Russia. The third period was exactly what Beach Soccer is about, goals, drama, and comebacks. The Netherlands used their goal near the end of the second period as a good starting point for their comeback and scored early in the 3rd to get within one goal once again. The Netherlands were not going to lay down that easy and tied the game at 4 late in the third.
Russia took advantage of tiny spaces in the Dutch defense and a last minute goal to win their first match 4-5 in the EBSL Torredembarra 2013 Superfinal and earned an important 3 points. The Netherlands fought back twice to get within one goal, but were unable to grab the coveted three points and will have to wait until Friday for their first Superfinal win in 2013.
Goals: 0-1: Shkarin, min. 5 (1); 0-2: Shishin, min. 1 (1); 1-2: V. Gessel, min. 9 (2); 1-3: Leonov, min. 7 (2); 1-4: Eremeev, min. 3 (2); 2-4:, Liefden, min. 2 (2); 3-4: V. Dieren, min. 8 (3); 4-4: Klijbroek, min. 4 (3); 4-5: Shishin, min. 1 (3).
Portugal cools Swiss offense
Earning three points was the goal and Portugal came out strong with the intention of slowing down Switzerland as opposed to trying to outgun them. The 5-3 win for Portugal gives them a head of steam going into the weekend portion of the tournament. Switzerland took a tough loss but they are far from giving up their current title of Europe?s´ best earned last year in The Hague.
Play began very fast in this match and it looked like Switzerland would score on multiple direct kicks. All the shots were directed elsewhere and the score remained tied at 0 into the middle of the period. Fancy moves and passing were the themes of the first period but none of the attempts could find the back of the net for either squad. Late in the period both teams had great opportunities to break the stalemate but were unable to connect until the last 15 seconds of the period when Portugal connected on a long range strike that put Portugal up 1-0 heading into the second frame.
A quick goal in the second period put Portugal ahead 2-0 and showed Switzerland that they were in search of payback for a loss they took at the hands of the Swiss in the EBSL Valance 2013 stage in June. Switzerland won that stage and was not about to take it for granted and during the second period they increased their tempo and continued pressing the Portuguese defense but they couldn?t catch a break until the final minute of the second period. Borer of Switzerland scored in the last minute to get him and his team within one. The period finished with Portugal leading 2-1. The third period was filled with defensive lapses for the Swiss but Portugal was only able to capitalize on one, early in the period. The Portuguese side made mistakes of their own but Switzerland connected with the posts on most of their close attempts. Portugal added another insurance goal to make it 4-1. The Swiss continued to believe in a comeback and they scored two goals late, one by the captain Mo, to get within one goal. The deficit was too large to overcome though and Portugal won 5-3 after a last minute goal to seal the win.
The 5-3 win gives Portugal a boost of confidence especially after they missed a chance to win the BSWW Mundialito, which they were hosting only two weeks ago. The EBSL Superfinal is very much in their view now. Switzerland will need to get back to their high scoring ways to make a deep run in the tournament to repeat as EBSL champions.
Goals: 0-1: Torres, min. 1 (1); 0-2: Belchior, min. 11 (2); 1-2: Borer, min. 1 (2); 1-3: Torres, min. 10 (3); 1-4: Jose Maria, min. 4 (3); 2-4: Stankovic, min. 2 (3); 3-4: Mo, min. 1 (3); 3-5: Belchior, min. 1 (3).
Well-rounded Spain beats Italy
With the home crowd cheering for Catalunya in the friendly on Thursday evening and the crowd cheering on the Spanish team today, it was as if everyone was against Italy. None of that seemed to affect them. Italy went down early but responded, as all top teams do. Though the Spanish have been in the same situation before as and they got the three points and the bragging rights over rival Italy with the 5-3 victory.
The first period was a battle of wills, with each team exchanging chances, goals, saves, and momentum. Spain struck first but Italy scored in the same minute to make sure there was an even fight throughout. Two penalty kicks, one make, and one spectacular save, late in the period gave Italy their first lead of the match and it gave Gori of Italy his second goal of the match. The Italian side conceded a goal with under a minute left in the first and both sides headed to the first break tied at 2.
The offenses looked more and more in-synch for both teams as the game wore on. Sprawling saves from both keepers kept the game tied well into the second period. Spain went on the one-man advantage and capitalized on a rare open look to take the 3-2 lead. Spain and Italy both scored very contested goals late in the period, making the score 4-3, Spain, heading into the final break. The first two periods were controlled by offense and the final period looked like the attackers would dictate the flow but the defenses played extremely well to keep each other off of the scoreboard, if only for a few minutes. Italy was rewarded with a third penalty kick in the match but missed the kick, making them 1 for 3 in the match. Llorenç of Spain scored his second goal of the match late in the final frame, giving the hosts its largest lead of the match, 2 goals.
The two goal victory, 5-3, gives Spain their first points in Torredembarra and puts them well on their way winning the EBSL Superfinal. Italy played very tough matches, including the opening friendly and will have to rebound to salvage their tournament.
Goals: 0-1: Llorenç, min. 7 (1); 1-1: Gori, min. 7 (1); 2-1: Gori, min. 4 (1); 2-2: Cintas, min. 1 (1); 2-3: Nico, min. 4 (2); 2-4: Antonio, min. 2 (2); 3-4: Corosiniti, min. 1 (2); 3-5: Llorenç, min. 4 (3).
EURO BEACH SOCCER LEAGUE SUPERFINAL TORREDEMBARRA 2013
Match Results:
Thursday, 8th of August, 2013
Ukraine 1-3 Poland
The Netherlands 4-5 Russia
Switzerland 3-5 Portugal
Italy 3-5 Spain
Upcoming Matches:
Friday, 9th of August, 2013
15:15 ? Switzerland vs Ukraine
16:30 ? Russia vs Italy
17:45 ? Poland vs Portugal
19:00 ? Spain vs The Netherlands
