The English edge Switzerland in the final of the Women’s Euro Beach Soccer Cup, as Netherland earns third place
England became the new champions of Europe, following a thrilling win over Switzerland in the final of this Women’s Euro Beach Soccer Cup taking place in Nazaré (Portugal). The 4-0 run lead by the English was key for them to keep their hands on the Cup when the Swiss pressure got more intense.
Ramona Birrfelder, with the first of her two goals today, swept the Swiss ahead, but not even two minutes later, Shannon Sievwright balanced things back, kick starting the English assault. Hillier and Clark, before the first period was over, pushed England ahead.
Switzerland tried to counteract the English dominion, but nothing they tried seemed to work. Instead, Sievwright added on to England’s advantage, making the score 4-1 midway third period.
It was a matter of time that the Alpine made their way to the back of Quinn’s nets, and it finally happened, with two goals in one minute that added drama to the final. The Swiss reaction finally fell one goal short, though, and England claimed their first ever Women’s Euro Beach Soccer Cup.
Goals: 1-0: Birrfelder, min. 10 (1); 1-1: Sievwright, min. 8 (1); 2-1: Hillier, min. 4 (1); 3-1: Clark, min. 3 (1); 4-1: Sievwright, min. 8 (3); 4-2: Birrfelder, min. 6 (3); 4-3: Schenk, min. 5 (3);
Netherlands seal third place
One single goal pushed the Dutch national team onto the third place in this Euro Beach Soccer Cup Nazaré 2017. Grytsje Van de Berg, one of the tournament’s best players, sealed the win for her side by the end of second period, finally bending the tight resistance by the Czech Republic.
Both Holland and Czech Republic had come to this 3rd place playoff after having won one game and having lost another one, but truth is that the Dutch were somehow regarded as the favourites, since they not only edged the defending champions, Spain, but saw themselves out of the final by just one goal.
The Czech Republic disregarded that, though, and fought to claim bronze in the Women’s European Cup, managing to deny all attempts by the Oranje for most of the game. All but one, which was the only the Tulips needed to snatch the win today and fly back home with a laudable third place in this Women’s Euro Beach Soccer Cup.
Goals: 1-0: Van de Berg, min. 1 (2)
Spain says goodbye with loud win
Defending queens Spain could finally earn their first win in the competition, following a loud victory over Greece in the game for the 5th place. The Spaniards found the inspiration they have been lacking all tournament, and could at least go back home with a slightly sweeter taste than the one they were left with yesterday.
WOMEN’S EURO BEACH SOCCER CUP NAZARÉ 2017
Final standings:
Winner – England
Runner-up – Switzerland
3rd place: Netherlands
4th place: Czech Republic
