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Numerous teams’ hopes of Euro Winners Cup glory dashed but tomorrow will see last seven spots filled
Another tantalising day here in Nazaré as Viareggio become the competition’s first team to top their group and qualify for the EWC. However, many other teams suffered a second loss, therefore missing out on the chance to qualify for the Euro Winners Cup.
This is how it all panned out.
Group A
The last game of the day saw the Moldovan side try and make up for yesterday’s loss by picking up some points against CD Nacional. But with confidence from their win on Friday the Portuguese kicked into inspired form after an evenly matched opening period.
During the second, CD Nacional doubled their tally, including a lovely chipped finish from their number 7, Oliveira. After the break the attacks just kept on coming and the Italians added another goal to an impressive scoreline. Tomorrow they play Playas de Mazarrón to decide the group, whilst CS Olimpia will battle with GDP Costa de Caparica for 3rd place.
In one of the day’s lower scoring matches, Playas de Mazarrón BS managed to cling on to a slender lead through a tough third period. Pedro made it onto the scoresheet for the Playas at the end of the first period but then Nuno Miguel equalised in the second. Even when Menchon put Playas de Mazarrón ahead again it was still anyone’s game but Costa de Caparica just could not find a way through.
Group B
Delta fancied their chances against Biblioteca Instrução e Recreio which lost against Artur Music yesterday, and managed to put six past the Portuguese side who find themselves bottom of the Group B standings with no points so far – let’s see how they can do against AIS Playas de San Javier tomorrow. Delta will meet Artur Music themselves tomorrow to decide the top spot.
The only team from Ukraine at the competition have secured six out of a possible six points. They had to ward off a spirited comeback attempt in the final period as Playas de San Javier reduced the deficit from three to one, including a rocket from Simon and a second from Patri, but finally the Spanish side ran out of time. They are now unable to proceed to the Euro Winners Cup, even with a win against Biblioteca Instrução e Recreio tomorrow.
Group C
The competition’s only Latvian team, BSC Academy, fought valiantly against their Portuguese challengers, and the first period ended 1 – 2, with everything to play for. But SC Salgueriros edged further and further out of reach with some awesome goals. These two teams now have three points apiece so in terms of the group rankings it is far from over. Tomorrow sees BSC Academy face BSC Kristall and SC Salgueiros 08 play Varzim SC.
Varzim suffered their second defeat in two days at the hands of what looks like an unstoppable Kristall side. Kristall are cruising through the group stages and after netting 12 times against their Portuguese victims, sit comfortably in first position. Varzim were gifted an opportunity to steal a consolation goal when they won a penalty but a sublime save from Chuzhkov denied them. They will have to wait until tomorrow to see if they can end the competition with a win, when they face SC Salgueiros 08.
Group D
Falfala Kfar Qassem looked to build on their victory over French group rival, Littoral BS, by beating AD Buarcos 2017. They did so with the help of a hat-trick from Llorenç and braces from Adir Danin and Ott. Their victory today not only clinched top spot for the moment, but also made sure that AD Buarcos could not qualify for the Euro Winners Cup. Buarcos actually started the game on the front foot, with Andre da Silva opening (and closing) the scoring, but will have to battle it out tomorrow with Littoral Beach Soccer Dunkerquois for third place.
Levante UD were not about to miss the chance to go top of the group. After comfortably beating AD Buarcos yesterday they went into today’s game against Littoral BS with confidence and it showed on the pitch as they smashed in five goals against a French team who initially kept the game tight. Littoral are yet to secure a point but so are AD Buarcos. Who finishes in fourth place will be decided when the teams clash on the sand tomorrow.
Group E
Casa Benfica Caldas Rainha needed to pick themselves up after a real battering from Catania yesterday but the Germans were showing no mercy. Despite a last minute consolation goal, the Portuguese team were well beaten and as a result move into fourth place. Four goals put four different players on the scoresheet for Wuppertaler, who trail Catania just by goal difference as they both have six points apiece; the good news is that they will meet tomorrow to battle to see who finishes in the top spot. After the outcome of today’s games, Casa Benfica Caldas Rainha will not qualify for the Euro Winners Cup.
Littoral BS Dunkerquois looked like they might be able to put up a real fight and topple an in-form Catania. An Eudin Golazo nudged the Italians ahead just before the first break, and then Chiavaro provided an even more spectacular goal from close to his own goal in the second. The game ended at a canter for Catania, as they topped the group, level on points with the German side, Wuppertaler. Who will break the deadlock tomorrow and win the group?
Group F
Viareggio BS enjoyed a more comfortable three points today, after a nervy 5-4 win over APS Napoli yesterday, meaning that they are officially the first team to qualify for the Euro Winners Cup. GR Olival Basto found the reigning champions tough to contain and only managed to put one goal past the star-studded Italian side who top the group with six points.
What started as a neck and neck contest turned into APS Napoli Patron domination of the game as BSMA seemed to tire under regular attacks. Semenov helped himself to a hat-trick, helping his team shift into a superior gear and take full control of the game. This means a crucial win for Napoli after their loss yesterday, and a second loss for BSMA, leaving them at the bottom of the group and unable to proceed to the EWC.
Group G
In the day’s first fixture both teams were looking to pick up their first points of the competition after Portsmouth BSC were beaten by a single goal yesterday and Sao Domingos were blown away by the quality of Boca Gdansk, meaning that they will not be in the Euro Winners Cup. The match was neck and neck all the way through, taking the game to extra time and it was Portsmouth who would blink first, conceding a single goal in the added three minutes, handing their Portuguese rivals two points. Portsmouth sit in fourth place.
Boca Gdansk took an early lead but when Leixões SC, feeling confident after their win over Portsmouth yesterday, hit back immediately it became clear that they would be a tough nut to crack. Boca let a 4 – 2 lead slip in the third period, forcing extra time. Boca really asserted their dominance when it mattered the most with two goals in the three minutes of extra time. They top the group leaving Leixões SC, despite their loss, in second.
Group H
Atletico Licata went into this fixture eager to score some goals and pick up some points after a heavy defeat yesterday, but their Hungarian opponents had other ideas. Siófoki took an early need and when Licata equalised almost immediately it was clear they weren’t going to be easy to defeat. But Siófoki were clinical in front of goal and took their chances well, and the win takes them into second place in the group, behind Casa Benfica de Loures who won earlier in the day. Atletico, unable to pick up a any points in the first two games, can now not qualify for the Euro Winners Cup.
Casa Benfica de Loures were looking to build on their thrashing of Atletico Licata in the group’s first game yesterday, but it was Chelas that took the lead and the first period saw Benfica playing catch up. In the second period Benfica seemed to shift into another gear and the gap gradually widened until there could only be one clear winner. This result means that Casa Benfica de Loures site in top spot and Chelas slip into fourth place and will be unable to qualify for the Euro Winners Cup.
For complete results, standings and schedule, click here.
