The Division A rivals produced upsets while the hosts were beaten on penalties.
Comeback kings Czech Republic open with a win
Czech Republic picked up the first points of the Euro beach Soccer League’s Division B as they battled from three goals down to beat Estonia 5-3 on Friday.
On day one of the opening stage, the Czechs began badly as Ervin Stuf’s brace helped Estonia into a 3-0 lead after just three minutes.
However, Martin Bocek and Radek Cerny brought the Czechs within one prior to the break before David Radosta, Jiri Baran and Jakub Mizar ensured the points.
Estonia made an ideal start as Stuf grabbed two goals inside the opening minute, before Rasmus Munskind extended the advantage with a wonderful overhead kick.
The Czechs steeled themselves from there, forcing a few attempts on goal themselves, Martin Bocek poked in his side’s first.
Cerny swivelled strike pulled the Czechs ever closer to Estonia prior to the first interval before Radosta completed the fightback four minutes into the second frame.
Czech Republic led for the first time through Baran’s clever diving header as Martin Chalupa’s men took a slender lead into the final 12 minutes.
And the points were wrapped up 39 seconds from time when Mizar fired home a set-piece into the top right-hand corner of Marten Rimmel’s net.
Impressive Germany upset Spain in Belgrade
Germany made the ideal start to their Euro Beach Soccer League Division B campaign with a 4-2 win against five-time champions Spain.
The Germans could only muster a third-place finish at the Sal Beach Soccer Cup in Cape Verde but turned in an impressive display against a side ranked 18 places above them in the world.
While Spain battled back from 3-0 down to 3-2, a late Daniel Pajon own-goal punctured their momentum as Christian van der Ar’s side started with a bang.
Christian Biermann’s strike was the only of the first period, the Germans carrying on his impressive form from Cape Verde, before a fine finish from captain Sascha Weirauch doubled the lead shortly after the restart.
Antonio Mayor hit the post for Spain but it was Germany who continued to find the net as Thurk made it 3-0 prior to Francisco Cintas getting Spain on the board with a set-piece.
Llorenc Gomez saw his set-piece saved early in the final frame but the forward reacted quickly to slot home the loose ball and cut the deficit to one.
However a Daniel Pajon own-goal took the wind out of Spanish sails as his misfortune put Germany back in control after a difficult few minutes.
Antonio again rattled the woodwork late on as Spain began to realise it perhaps wasn’t their day – Germany instead holding to earn the first points of the Division.
France spring an upset against Russia in Belgrade
Four-time champions Russia were stunned by France in the Euro Beach Soccer League on Friday as Gerard Sargent’s men claimed a 4-2 win in Belgrade.
Russia, ranked fourth in the world, were competing for the first time since November and were forced to battle from an early Jeremy Basquaise strike before leading 2-1 at the break through Boris Nikonorov’s double.
From there, France showed resilience and struck at opportune times with Basquaise grabbed a second alongside a brace from Anthony Barbotti on a day of surprise in the Serbian capital.
Having seen Germany beat Spain earlier on, France led early on through Basquaise’s long-range strike, only for the impressive Nikonorov to send Russia into the break ahead. T
hings remained tight early in the second period until a quickfire double from France, courtesy of Barbotti and Basquaise turned the tables in France’s favour.
And, when Barbotti delivered the killer blow in the final minute, France were ensured of the points and a winning start to the tournament.
Shootout victors Norway spoil the party
Norway came out on top against Euro Beach Soccer League hosts Serbia with the help of a penalties on Friday as Nemanja Vucicevic’s missed spot kick settled matters in a 3-2 shootout victory.
A four-goal haul from Jorn Andre Jacobsen had helped Norway hold off a spirited Serbia effort as the sides ended 6-6 after normal and extra time.
But, with five converted penalties preceding Vucicevic, the Serb could only rattle the woodwork with his effort as Norway spoiled the party in Belgrade.
After almost 12 goalless minutes, Jacobsen opened his account for the day with just 37 seconds until the first break only for Vucicevic to level early in the second period.
Vojislav Trajkovic put Serbia in front for the first time midway through the second period with the help of a goalkeeping error but the score continued to swing back and forth with Henrik Salveson levelling for Norway before the final frame.
With the scores all square after two periods, the final 12 minutes proved fascinating as Jacobsen grabbed his second only for Vucicevic to respond, before goalkeeper Thomas Sandsoer put Norway back on top with a wonderful strike from distance.
Nikola Cubrilovic and Mladen Jovancic thought they had done enough to avoid extra time and claim maximum points, although Jacobsen again had other ideas as the contest headed to a fourth period.
Cubrilovic’s penalty 48 seconds from time sent the crowd into raptures only for Jacobsen to prove a thorn in Serbia’s side once more 12 seconds from the end.
Then, following four periods of enthralling action, it came down to penalties, with Vucicevic denied by the post as Norway claimed a point in Division B.
Friday results
14:15 -Estonia 3-5 Czech Republic
15:30 – Spain 2-4 Germany
16:45 – France 4-2 Russia
18:00 – Norway (3) 6-6 (2) Serbia (PSO)
Saturday fixtures
14:15 – Estonia v Norway
15:30 – Spain v France
16:45 – Russia v Germany
18:00 – Czech Republic v Serbia
