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MY BEACH SOCCER 
Ukraine raised the Cup in Bibione. Their last victory against Portugal in an exciting Final has made them the best team among the 27 National Squads taking part in such a competitive tournament. The Ukrainian strength has been too much for Portugal, who have missed two of their best players, Belchior and Alan, out due to punishment after cards in yesterday’s game. The command of this game was at all stage in Ukrainian hands, since the Portuguese reaction was too shy, and came too late.
As is absolutely usual in finals, none of the teams wanted to throw themselves into a frenetic goal aimed attacking play, but settled for a solid position first. Once firmly established, first attempts came for both teams. All of them were fruitless, though, until Andrii Borsuk controlled a ball in a defensive position, placed it in his left foot and sent a low shot that Graça could not save. Ukraine hit first, but Portugal had all the weapons a team may ever need to turn things upside down. Notwithstanding, minutes passed and they were not successful at, hearing the first horn down in the score.
More bad news for the Portuguese right after the break, with Andrii Borsuk getting onto the stage again to increase the Ukrainian advantage thanks to a well aimed missile in a kick-off brilliant move. And even worst were the thing to become for the Iberian when Zborovskyi’s free kick lash went straight into the Portuguese’s net.
The match was totally uphill for Mateus’ squad, and they needed something to keep on believing. And Madjer was the one to provide this something, who else. The left footed start did not miss a free kick close to the box for the 3-1.
Ukraine did not want the game to escape from their control, and Yevdokymov raised his team 3 goals up again. Not enough, though, to crush Madjer’s will. Portuguese’s captain sent another rocket, further this time, for the 4-2. From then on, Portugal kept on the pursuit, but Kucherenko’s squad displayed in the third period all that solidity that has taken them up to this Final not to let their opponents any closer. Final whistle triggered the Ukrainian delight both on the sand and at the stands. Needless to say, it was absolutely justified: they were the Champions of the tournament, in which up to 27 National squads have taken place since last Sunday.
Goals: 1-0, A. Borsuk, min. 4 (1); 2-0, A. Borsuk, min. 11 (2); 3-0, Zborovskyi, min. 4 (2); 3-1, Madjer, min. 5 (2); 4-1, Yevdokymov, min. 3 (1); 4-2: Madjer, min. 2 (2)
Besides the Champions cup, some other awards have been given today. The Russian captain, Ilya Leonov has been named the tournament’s Best Player, Madjer has been awarded as the Top Scorer and also Portuguese Graça was considered the Best Goalkeeper. David Codognotto, assessore allo Sport in the San Michele al Tagliamento City Council received the Fair Play Award.
It is also worth mentioning that over 82.000 supporters have visited the Beach Stadium in Bibione during this unforgettable FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup Qualifier. Fans, though, have not only witnessed the great playing on display, but have taken an active role to make these 8 competition days a real Beach Soccer feast.
Russia gets the third place in a new last period demolishing performance
Russia have won the third place in this FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup Qualifier using a formula they know really really well: the one consisting in crushing their opponent with a demolishing third period. After being one goal down in the first period, and seeing how Switzerland equalized their advantage in the second, Russia gave no option in the last one, restating again that their incredible physical shape is one of their most valuableweapons.
At the end of the second period, the score was 2-2. Samuel had put Switzerland ahead in the first period, but Zaikin leveled the score before the first break. Second time was the other way round, with Samuel equalizing the Russian advantage, achieved by Eremeev.
And then, the Russian period came. All through the tournament, Russia has showed themselves really powerful, but they have been specially so in the third period. This time it was not different, and Likhachev’s squad set the game into a pace the Alpine could not cope with. Krasheninnikov, with two goals and Shishin right before the final horn put the score into 2-5, what gives them the third place.
Goals: 1-0: Samuel, min. 7 (1); 1-1: Zaikin, min. 3 (1); 1-2: Eremeev, min. 8 (2); 2-2: Samuel, min. 2 (2); 2-3: Krasheninnikov, min. 9 (3); 2-4: Krasheninnikov, min. 7 (3); 2-4: Shishin, min. 1 (3);
