The Russians are poleaxed, with three more nations on the verge of the Bahamas.
Poland are the first team to book their place at the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup in the Bahamas, with Italy, Portugal and Switzerland in position to join them on Friday.
The Poles pulled off a huge upset against Russia on Thursday to seal their place at the competition next year while the aforementioned trio know that avoiding a slip-up tomorrow will ensure they join them.
Group One
Italy skipper Ramacciotti put his team on the brink of qualification by scoring twice inside the final minute to see off Germany 5-4.
The hosts led 3-1 going into the final period knowing that a win would effectively guarantee them a place in the Bahamas next year.
Bierman and Olli drew Germany level before the drama kicked up a notch – Ramacciotti’s first cancelled out by Biermann’s equaliser before the Italy captain struck the winner with the last kick of the game, leaving Italy all but confirmed for the showpiece next year.
Earlier, Hungary picked up their first points of the second phase with a 4-2 win against Czech Republic.
Both tasted defeat on the opening day – to Germany and Italy respectively – but it was Hungary who bounced back, as goals from Berkes, Rutai, Sebestyen and Genczler ended Czech hopes of making to next year’s World Cup.
Group Two
Portugal all but confirmed their place in the Bahamas by beating France 5-3.
The world champions are the only team in the group with two wins from two and, after a brace from captain Madjer, know that only defeat to Belarus in normal time on Friday will deny them the chance to defend their title in the Bahamas next year.
Belarus produced a response from their defeat on penalties to France by beating Greece 6-3, with Marco Octavio’s side keeping their slim hopes alive as Bryshtsel scored four times in a comprehensive success.
Group Three
Poland made themselves the big story of the day in Jesolo however, as they became the first team to qualify after springing another upset to beat former champions Russia 5-3 and top Group Two.
Marcin Stanislawski’s men gave themselves hope of qualification by beating Ukraine on Wednesday and went one better against the two-time World Cup winners, seeing their 3-1 lead evaporate only to battle back again with Saganowski and Ziober late on.
European champions Ukraine shrugged off their surprise defeat against Poland to beat Moldova 7-2.
Yevhen Varenytsia’s men were shock losers on Wednesday and then saw Moldova battle back from two goals down to level.
However, Zborovskyi scored three times as they held off their plucky opponents, who will look to their clash with Poland to claim their first points of phase two.
Group Four
Switzerland are the leaders in Group Four, following a narrow 7-6 win over Azerbaijan.
Dejan Stankovic was, once again, the lighthouse that guided the Swiss way today. With a stunning performance, including five goals, the Alpine forward became the man everyone looked for in his team when someone had the ball, to what he responded by punishing the Azeri nets once and again.
Elsewhere, Spain got their Group Four campaign up and running by beating Turkey 8-2 on Thursday.
A day on from their surprise loss to Azerbaijan, Joaquin Alonso’s men proved their quality, with Juanma and Ezequiel among those to help outclass their opponents and pick up points in the pool.
Thursday results
Hungary 4-2 Czech Republic
Belarus 6-3 Greece
Ukraine 7-2 Moldova
Spain 8-2 Turkey
Switzerland 7-6 Azerbaijan
Russia 3-5 Poland
Portugal 5-3 France
Italy 5-4 Germany
Friday fixtures
Germany v Czech Rep.
France v Greece
Poland v Moldova
Azerbaijan v Turkey
Switzerland v Spain
Russia v Ukraine
Portugal v Belarus
Italy v Hungary
