Italy, Portugal and Switzerland will head to the Bahamas alongside Poland.
After the finish to the second group phase of the European qualifier in Jesolo on Friday, Italy, Portugal and Switzerland ensured they will join Poland at the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup in the Bahamas next year.
Poland sprung a shock to qualify ahead of Russia on Thursday but things proved simpler for the remaining three, as the big issues were settled.
Group One
Italy sent the Jesolo crowds home happy in the final game by beating Hungary 5-2 to ensure their finals place.
Defeat to the Magyars in normal-time would have sent Hungary to the competition instead but, aside from Szentes-Biro’s strike in the second period, Italy were rarely troubled as Gori’s treble sent the hosts through.
Earlier in the day, Czech Republic fought back from 4-2 down to beat Germany 6-4, picking up their first second-phase points in Jesolo.
The Germans were beaten in heartbreaking fashion by Italy on Thursday and were in need of a miracle to make the Bahamas but things were on track as Biermann’s brace helped them into a 4-2 lead midway through the second period.
However, the Czechs took advantage of tiring German legs to finish with a flourish and claim the points.
Group Two
Portugal will have the chance to defend their FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup title in the Bahamas next year after clinching a tight 5-4 win against Belarus in dramatic circumstances.
Belarus knew they needed a normal-time win against the world champions to progress and were ahead early in the final period only to see Jose Maria equalise and seemingly send the game to extra time.
With Mario Narciso’s side already heading through but, with the game on a knife edge, Jordan’s late penalty guaranteed Portugal’s place in the Bahamas.
France signed off their Group Two campaign with an entertaining 7-4 win against Greece on Friday, Les Blues giving putting themselves second in the pool.
Defeat to Portugal and a win on penalties against Belarus meant qualification was not a possibility for the French but Bizot’s brace helped hold off a Greek side who remained in the mix until late in the contest.
Group Three
Poland followed up on their FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup qualification by capping a perfect group campaign with a 3-1 win against Moldova.
Thursday’s surprise win over Russia ensured Poland will go to the Bahamas next year as one of Europe’s representatives and Marcin Stanislawski’s ensured there were no slip-ups in their Group Three finale thanks to goals from Stasiak, Negara and Saganowski.
Russia then salvaged second place in Group Three of FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup qualification after edging Ukraine 4-3 in extra time on Friday.
The two-time World Cup winners looked set for double disappointment as they trailed 2-0 midway through the second frame.
But, having fought back to lead 3-2, and later being pegged back by Shcherytsia’s equaliser, Makarov struck the winner in extra time to guarantee second place behind the Poles.
Group Four
Switzerland became the second of the teams qualified for the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup in the European pool.
The Alpine side produced an efficient display, following directly on from Azerbaijan’s victory against Turkey, giving Spain no chance in the game.
Stankovic, once again, was the most powerful weapon for his side, and the worst nightmare for his opponents, adding to his tally to spark Swiss celebrations.
Azerbaijan did what they could to qualify by beating Turkey 3-1 on Thursday but fell short due to Switzerland’s success.
The recent Promotion Final winners knew they needed a win and Switzerland to claim nothing in their contest straight after, but, after Abdul’s brace inspired a tricky win against Turkey, the tournament’s leading goalscorer Stankovic did the business again for the Swiss, who wrapped up first place.
Friday results
Germany 4-6 Czech Republic
France 7-4 Greece
Poland 3-1 Moldova
Azerbaijan 3-1 Turkey
Spain 8-4 Switzerland
Russia 4-3 Ukraine (AET)
Portugal 5-4 Belarus
Italy 5-2 Hungary
Saturday fixtures
Turkey v Moldova
Hungary v Greece
Belarus v Spain
Ukraine v Germany
Russia v France
Azerbaijan v Czech Republic
Portugal v Switzerland
Italy v Poland
