After the excitement of Moscow, EBSL returns to wow the crowds in Galicia.
The Euro Beach Soccer League reaches its second stage this week as Sanxenxo plays host to the next round of competition with home favourites Spain well on course to secure a promotion final spot.
Last weekend’s action in Moscow saw Spain bounce back from a disappointing seventh-placed finish at the Euro Beach Soccer Cup in Serbia to top their group with three wins from three against Italy, Belarus and Greece.
With spirit in the camp clearly high, coach Joaquin Alonso said in the build-up to Sanxenxo: “You can’t find a better place than here for beach soccer.
“Both myself and the team are hugely excited about taking part in this event. Galicia is a worldwide reference point in the beach soccer community and everybody knows it. Being able to host such an event on these sands is something very special.”
And those nine points mean Spain are virtually guaranteed a place in August’s Superfinal in Catania while Division A Group One runners-up Switzerland will also fancy their chances of finishing among the eight best-ranked teams in the top tier and completing the job.
With the Spanish taking on Ukraine, Romania and France, Switzerland – second in Group One last weekend – face Greece, Germany and world champions Portugal.
Russia topped Group One on home sand last weekend but skip the Sanxenxo leg while Division B’s Moldova will also watch on over the coming days, knowing their ticket to Catania is safe.
In their absence, Czech Republic, Norway and Netherlands will compete to progress to the Promotion Final as Group One winners in the second tier while England, Turkey and Andorra meet up in Group Two.
Alongside the winners of each stage in Division B, the three best-ranked runners-up also have the chance to earn promotion in Sicily, ensuring this weekend’s action promises to be an exhilarating affair with plenty left to play for.
England and Andorra kick us off on Friday at 13.00 local time, with Spain and Romania closing the first day’s action at 19.15 in front of what will likely be a fervent and vocal home crowd.
All matches are available to watch live via www.beachsoccer.com, where you can also find the latest news, fixtures and results.
