Spaniards and Swiss get ahead in Valence, as England and Czech Republic dominate in the Division B pool
Spain edge Portugal after amusing thriller
Spain showed little signs of rust as they narrowly defeated rival Portugal in a very exciting match. Spain had yet to play in the first stages of the EBSL but after their first match they secured three necessary points.
Portugal was very cautious in the first period. Spain played with quite a bit of urgency in the first leg but they were only able to capitalize on one opportunity, after Llorenç scored midway through the period.
Amarelle would widen the distance for La Roja, but Lucio equalized immediately for Narciso?s side, not to let the Spaniards too far. Portugal seemed to get on the pursuit when Spain?s rising star, forward Llorenç, netted his second for the 1-3.
When Cintas found Graça?s back of the net for a fourth time, it seemed that Spain was securing the points. But never say never when such a talented side as Portugal is on the pitch? With less than 6 minutes to go, Lucio tried to light up again his teams expectation?s with Alan to follow to bring one some breath-taking last minutes.
The Lusitanian side tried and tried, but an excellent Dona today denied all their attempts, as time ticked down to finally certify Spain?s victory. In hopes of keeping pace with other Division A teams, the Spaniards needed to get the maximum number of points to increase their chances of making it to the European Beach Soccer League Superfinal, and they quickly into it against Portugal today.
Goals: 0-1: Llorenç, min. 7 (1); 0-2: Amarelle, min. 9 (2); 1-2: Lucio, min. 9 (2); 1-3: Llorenç, min. 5 (2); 1-4: Cintas, min. 7 (3); 2-4: Lucio, min. 5 (3); 3-4: Alan, min. 2 (3);
Switzerland gives a dominant performance to secure three coveted points
With the start France had in the group stages in Division A of the European Beach Soccer League, they needed at least two points in this opening match to keep their European Beach Soccer League Superfinal hopes alive. Instead they were defeated 12-4 by an extremely talented Swiss team.
In the opening period, Switzerland had plenty of scoring chances and seemed to take advantage of them all. Meanwhile, France missed on multiple chances to score after penalties and one-on-one situations against the Swiss keeper.
After a tough start to the match, France pulled their starting keeper Botherel to start the second period. The backup keeper, Valette, fared much better, only seceding two goals in the second period. France´s frustration was evident, though, in the second period when they were called for multiple penalties which included two yellow cards for a harsh tackle and a forceful shove against the Swiss.
In the third period we saw a still energetic France squad try and keep it close by scoring a couple goals, but in the end, Switzerland controlled the game better than the French could. Both sides were carded in the final period but no ill will seems to be evident.
With the final whistle, Switzerland takes a big step towards a Superfinal birth while France seems to be headed towards the Promotion final.
Goals: 0-1: Stankovic, min. 9 (1); 1-1: Sansoni, min. 7 (1); 1-2: Meier, min. 7 (1); 1-3: Mo, min. 4 (1); 1-4: Ott, min. 3 (1); 1-5: Stankovic, min.2 (1); 1-6: Stankovic, min. 1 (1); 1-7: Borer, min. 11 (2); 2-7: Basquaise, min. 1 (2); 2-8: Borer, min. 10 (3); 2-9; Mo, min. 7 (3); 3-9: Fayos, min. 6 (3); 3-10: Mo, min. 6 (3); 3-11: Stankovic, min. 6 (3); 3-12: Ott, min. 3 (3); 4-12: Basquaise, min. 1 (3);
DIVISION B
Czech Republic hammers Moldova in Division B opening in Valence (3-9)
The Czech National Beach Soccer National Team ran past Moldova to earn their first three points in the season, in this Division B pool of the Euro Beach Soccer League Valence 2013. Despite the Moldovan tried to contest Lukic?s team during the first stages of the match, a prolific second half of the game by the Czech made the difference.
Indeed, a brilliant bicycle kick by Negara opened the score, surprisingly sweeping the Moldovan ahead. Filinger lasted only one minute to level the score back again with the 1-1, though, and Stejskal got the Czechs ahead before the first hooter. That moment, that soon, meant the turning point of the game, as once Lukic?s side got in command, they would never lose this position.
Kubice widened the distance two minutes into the second period, and despite Cojocari tried to keep his side in the fight, the game control was already in Czech?s hands, as Filinger and Kovaric clearly proved. Three more goals in the last period definitely sealed the victory for the Czech Republic, who eventually gets on top of the table in the Division B.
Goals: 1-0: Negara, min. 7 (1); 1-1: Filinger, min. 6 (1); 1-2: Stejskal, min. 1 (1); 1-3: Kubice, min. 9 (2); 2-3: Cojocari, min. 7 (2); 2-4: Stejskal, min. 6 (2); 2-5: Kovarik, min. 4 (2); 3-5: Negara, min. 4 (2); 3-6: Stejskal, min. 3 (2); 3-7: Chalupa, min. 11 (3); 7-8: Slama, min. 9 (3); 3-9: Bocek, min. 2 (3);
England takes a crucial three points to help their bid for the Promotional Final
England bagged their first units in the EBSL Valence, following a hard-fought victory over a spirited Andorra in the opening of the competition. It was never easy for the English side, as the men from the Pyrenees fielded a laudable resistance, but three goals in the first period got things quite unbalanced.
England came out very strong, using teamwork a bit more than Andorra and it helped establish an early rhythm. After Andorra fell behind 2-0, they started looking more opportunistic, taking first look shots. The goal keeper for England made some spectacular saves in the first, though after some early miscues lead to a few scoring chances for Andorra.
In the second, England hustled much more and got to critical loose balls. But Andorra kept things interesting by scoring two quick goals in the same minute.
Coming out in the third period, both teams switched goal keepers. The two keepers started the period with strong play to help their teams, as no goals were scored on either side. With the final whistle, then, England clinched three points that get them well on the road to Promotion final.
Goals: 1-0: Temple, min. 5 (1); 2-0: Mitchell, min. 3 (1); 3-0: Evans, min. 1 (1); 4-0: Day, min. 11 (2); 4-1: Somoza, min. 9 (2); 4-2: Lima, min. 9 (2);
EURO BEACH SOCCER LEAGUE VALENCE 2013
Match results:
Friday, 21st of June, 2013
14:45 ? Moldova 3-9 Czech Republic (Division B)
16:00 ? England 4-2 Andorra (Division B)
17:15 ? Portugal 3-4 Spain (Division A)
18:30 ? France 4-12 Switzerland (Division A)
Matches for tomorrow:
Saturday, 22nd of June, 2013
14:15 ? Czech Republic vs Andorra (Division B)
15:30 ? England vs Moldova (Division B)
16:45 ? Switzerland vs Portugal (Division A)
18:00 ? Spain vs France (Division A)
