Giantkillers Azerbaijan and Poland picked up big results in Jesolo on Wednesday.
As the second group phase of European FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup qualifying began on Wednesday, Azerbaijan and Poland were among those to spring upsets while traditional heavyweights Portugal, Russia and Italy all claimed maximum points.
Group One
Hosts Italy made it four wins from four in qualification for the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup on Wednesday, kicking off their Group One campaign with a 5-2 win against the Czech Republic.
The hosts joined Germany on maximum points at the summit in Jesolo as Gori’s treble inspired victory against a Czech outfit who offered a threat – notably in halving the deficit when 4-0 down – but lacked Italy’s attacking talent.
A hat-trick from captain Olli gave the Germans an European qualification boost in a 4-2 win over Hungary.
In the opening game of the second group phase, Olli provided the key contribution, with his treble holding off a spirited Hungary effort to give Germany early momentum in Group One.
Group Two
Portugal kicked off the second stage of their FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup qualification campaign with a resounding 8-0 win against Greece.
The world champions were rarely troubled in their Group A games and maintained that fine form to ease Greece aside, with hat-trick hero Jordan turning in another eye-catching display as Portugal moved ahead of France to the top of Group Two.
France maintained their winning record in European qualification for the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup but could only beat Belarus 3-2 on penalties after their clash ended 4-4 in normal time.
France qualified top of Group G with a 100 per cent record but were forced to battle back from 3-1 down before requiring a late Belhomme leveller to take the game to extra time.
That failed to separate the sides, with Belarus skipper Bryshtel’s missed penalty ultimately proving costly.
Group Three
Poland pulled off the day’s first major upset, with a 4-3 win over European champions Ukraine.
In their first tournament since lifting the Euro Beach Soccer League title, all was going to plan for Ukraine, who amassed a 3-1 lead through Zborovkskyi and a Korniichuk brace.
However, Ziober set the comeback in motion before goals in quick succession from Madani and Klepczarek gave Poland a huge win that bolsters their hopes of topping the group.
Russia will be fancied by many to book their ticket to the Bahamas and they avoided an upset against Moldova with a convincing 8-3 win.
Having seen Spain and Ukraine fall victim to defeats against Azerbaijan and Poland respectively, two-time World Cup winners Russia showed no mercy as Paporotnyi and Nikonorov ran riot against arguably the competition’s biggest surprise package.
Group Four
Azerbaijan had earlier proved once again that, at this point, any team has the potential to beat any other contender in the group.
The Azeri side upset Spain in an amazing comeback during the third period to blow Group Four wide open, with the Swiss settling into second after Stankovic’s extra-time winner handed Switzerland a 6-5 win against Turkey.
The world’s seventh-ranked side battled from 3-1 down to lead 5-3 thanks to Stankovic’s treble before Cem Keskin and Kerem Sinc ensured extra time, with a penalty save from Yagizcan in the final seconds of normal time thrown in for good measure.
However, Stankovic was the match-winner, breaking Turkish hearts with 11 seconds left to play.
Wednesday results
Hungary 2-4 Germany
Belarus (2) 4-4 (3) France
Ukraine 3-4 Poland
Spain 2-4 Azerbaijan
Turkey 5-6 Switzerland AET
Moldova 3-8 Russia
Greece 0-8 Portugal
Czech Republic 2-5 Italy
Thursday fixtures
Hungary v Czech Republic
Belarus v Greece
Ukraine v Moldova
Spain v Turkey
Switzerland v Azerbaijan
Russia v Poland
Portugal v France
Italy vs Germany
