There was joy for the Belarusians as well as Hungary in Siofok on Saturday.
Belarus produced the shock of the day for the second time in the Siofok leg of the Euro Beach Soccer League 2016, downing world champions Portugal 4-2 on Saturday.
Following victory against Russia on day one, Belarus toppled another beach soccer heavyweight with captain Bryshtel inspiring his side to a win that makes them surprise leaders of Division A, Group One.
Bryshtel sprung a surprise when he opened the scoring from a tight angle and, after Belarus initially held firm, B. Novo levelled with a powerful drive late in the opening period.
However, Belarus were back in front courtesy of a neat turn and finish from Samsonov, prompting heavy pressure from the European champions as they sought a way back into the game.
They were frustrated for the remainder of the frame however – a theme that continued into the final 12 minutes.
Belchior and Jose Maria both went close to registering another Portuguese equaliser while Andrade was required to save from Bokach at the other end.
Madjer eventually levelled from close range but, when Torres handled on the line, Bryshtel put Belarus back on front from the spot.
And the skipper completed his hat-trick to seal a famous win that takes Belarus top of the table.
Russia had earlier bounced back from defeat to Belarus by beating Romania 7-2.
The world’s second-ranked side were below par in their loss on Friday but recovered to outclass Romania, with the help of braces from Shishin and Pankratov, bolstering their hopes of featuring at the Promotion Final in Catania.
Italy – ranked fourth in the world – took another step towards top spot in Division A, Group Two, seeing off a spirited Poland side 7-6 in the Euro Beach Soccer League, Siofok, on Saturday.
Poland – fresh from a surprise win against Ukraine – proved stubborn opposition for the first two period, equalising four times with the help of Ziober’s brace.
However, Italy’s quality eventually shone through, Zurlo scoring twice in the latter stages to help the Azzurri to six points and effectively ensure their Superfinal spot.
Hosts Hungary will go head to head with Azerbaijan for top spot in Division B and a place in Catania after beating Bulgaria 7-3.
Like their opponents on Sunday, the hosts boast a 100 per cent record across the weekend, with Turos’ four-goal haul inspiring victory in front of an impressed home crowd.
That came after Ukraine kept alive their hopes of topping Division A, Group Two as they dispatched Germany 5-0 to move second.
The men in yellow – beaten by Poland on Friday – will face leaders Italy on the final day in Siofok and warmed up for the clash with a relatively straightforward success, captain Korniichuk scoring twice to help claim the points.
At the start of the second day, Azerbaijan made it two wins from two by narrowly edging Denmark 3-2.
The Danes twice led but were pegged back by Hikmat and Renat before Sabir struck the decisive blow for Azerbaijan.
Saturday’s results
Azerbaijan 3-2 Denmark
Italy 7-6 Poland
Russia 7-2 Romania
Ukraine 5-0 Germany
Portugal 2-4 Belarus
Hungary 7-3 Bulgaria
Sunday fixtures
Bulgaria v Denmark
Germany v Poland
Belarus v Romania
Ukraine v Italy
Portugal v Russia
Hungary v Azerbaijan
