Spain, Italy, Switzerland, Russia and France, with two victories, are the first teams qualified for the next round of the European Qualifier
The Czech Republic uses big 2nd period to hold off comeback
The Czech Republic’s 5-4 victory over Bulgaria was a tale of two teams, on the one hand, the Czech Republic was poised for a rout while Bulgaria looked inept on offense and defense and then also the other Czech team that could not find the back of the net and seemed shocked by the Bulgarian attack. In the end, the Czechs hung on for a very close and tight win. The Czech Republic earned their first victory of the qualifiers and will play on Tuesday against Spain in hopes of securing a spot in the next stage. Bulgaria will look for their first win on Tuesday, against Azerbaijan.
The Czech Republic looked determined from the kick-off to avoid an early hole and they almost scored on said kick-off. Their first shot did not fall but their second did, only seconds later, on a looping header from Hasek that put the Czechs up 1-0. The Narodak narrowly maintained their lead through opportune defensive saves, however, the Bulgarians came close on many occasions to knotting the score, but the leveler never came and the opening period ended with the Czech Republic up 1-0. Starting quick in the periods was beginning to become a trend for the Czechs as they scored in the first minute and a half of the second period also, extending their lead to 2-0. The good times did not stop there for the Czechs continued to score while keeping the clean sheet and heading into the final minutes of the middle frame, the score was 5-0 for the Czech Republic. The score did not change heading into the final period.
Beach soccer is such an unpredictable sport and if you had seen on the first two periods, you would have thought that Bulgaria was done but the Lions opened the third period by scoring a quick goal to inch closer, at 5-1.The Czechs saw their lead chipped away at a little more when Kaloyanov scored his first in the match to pull the Bulgarians to within three goals at 5-2. The Czech squad could not seem to get on track as the Bulgarians were playing a different match than they did in the first two periods. Going into the final minutes, Bulgaria was still down by three goals but they had yet to concede a final period goal. Time was running out when Filipov scored his second of the match to bring his team within two goals, and put a real scare into the Czechs, who looked a little too content with their previously large lead. At the beginning of the period it seemed like the five goal lead was insurmountable but Bulgaria found ways to net the ball and get to within one goal, their closest since the opening minutes of the game, as Filipov finished off his run to a hat-trick, making the score 5-4 for the Czech Republic. The final seconds saw the Bulgarians go all out on the attack but they could not force overtime and the game ended with the Czech Republic up 5-4.
Goals: 1-0: Hasek, min. 11 (1); 2-0: Vyhnal, min. 10 (2); 3-0: Radosta, min. 6 (2), 4-0: Chalupa, min. 3 (2); 5-0: Radosta, min. 2 (2); 5-1: Filipov, min. 10 (3); 5-2: Kaloyanov, min. 8 (3); 5-3: Filipov, min. 3 (3); 5-4: Filipov, min. 2 (3).
Greece rebounds from penalties loss to earn 3 points
Greece’s 10-5 win over Moldova was their first of the tournament, though they played one of the favourites to win the qualifier, Italy, and played them into an exciting penalty shoot-out. This match was not as close but with many more goals. Greece took the early lead and never looked back. Moldova finished the qualifier playing very tough matches against England, narrowly losing, and then hanging with Italy for more than a period before being overpowered. Greece now has three points and has the hope of becoming the best 3rd place team, and advancing, depending on the other groups’ outcomes.
Like a boxing match, the game began with both teams exchanging blows but not connecting on the one big shot, until Moldova booted a kick into the dirt from long distance and had it bounce just over the leaping Greek goalkeeper. Good fighters always find a way to respond and just a minute later, Greece did just that on a header from Kafantaris, which leveled things at 1. The Hellenic then scored their second, third, and fourth unanswered goals to go up 4-1 into the first break. Greece kept the pressure on the Moldovans in the second period, and even turned it up when they scored early to put their side up 5-1. Kafantaris added to the Moldovan woes when he scored his third of the match to put his side up by five goal heading into the heart of the period. Moldova scored their first goal, after 6 unanswered, to pull within four goals, but Greece quickly responded with their 7th goal, putting them up by five goals once again, at 7-2, which is how the period would end.
Moldova knew they always had a punchers chance and when they scored early in the second, on a rocket from Lungu, they built on that belief. Greece tried to squash that hope with another goal, making the score 8-3, but Moldova scored the next goal on a spectacular overhead that beat the Greek keeper and put the score at 8-4. As if on cue, the Greeks scored another two rapid goals to balloon their lead to 10-4 going into the final minute. That last hit from Greece was the third of the match for their captain Triantafyllidis, which lifts him up in the goal-scorer chart. Moldova showed again that they have heart and grit as they scored again after that to make the score a respectable 10-5 as the buzzer sounded.
Goals: 0-1: Ciopa, min. 9 (1); 1-1: Kafantaris, min. 8 (1); 2-1: Gkritzalis, min. 5 (1); 3-1: Karakasis, min. 4 (1); 4-1: Kafantaris, min. 2 (1); 5-1: Triantafyllidis, min. 9 (2); 6-1: Kafantaris, min. 6 (2); 6-2: Comlionoc, min. 4 (2); 7-2: Thomas, min. 3 (2); 7-3: Lungu, min. 10 (3); 8-3: Papastathopoulos, min. 4 (3); 8-4: Podlesnov, min. 1 (3); 9-4: Triantafyllidis, min. 1 (3); 10-4: Triantafyllidis, min. 1 (3); 10-5; Banar, min. 1 (3).
Switzerland finds offense late to get through surprising Estonia
Switzerland’s 4-3 victory over Estonia was close from whistle to whistle as the goalkeepers’ skills were on full display. As very few could have predicted, Estonia struck first, before the Swiss gained their composure and scored twice but the Estonian squad stayed cool under pressure and eventually tied the match again. The Switzerland offense found their footing late and were able to pull away in the final period. Switzerland will finish their group matches on Tuesday against France, with hopes of winning the group. Estonia will face Slovakia on Tuesday with the confidence that they can play with anyone and with the hopes of winning their first match.
Estonia started the match on a war path, right from the kick-off, and though their shots went unanswered, they made a statement that they could cause some problems for the Swiss defense. The Blueshirts defense was not too shabby in the early minutes either, as they were able to keep the extremely potent Switzerland offense of the scoreboard. The stalemate continued until Estonia shocked the Nati by scoring first all the while the Estonians’ belief that they could pull off the upset began to grow stronger and stronger. Switzerland rarely goes a period without multiple goals, let alone one and they did find that first goal in the final minute of the opening period from Mo, to level things at 1 heading into the middle frame. Estonia began the second leg with the same kind of energy as the first and kept the Swiss from scoring early. Estonia did not see as many offensive chances in the opening minutes of the middle frame but they maintained a sturdy defense. Estonia’s inspiriting goalkeeping kept things level heading into the final minutes of the second period. Lukk, the man under the Estonian posts even kept out a strong penalty kick attempt from Swiss goal specialist, Ott, but the Alpine finally found their second goal on a direct kick from Stankovic that put his side up 2-1, which is how the period would end.
Switzerland could not get comfortable in the match and in face they became rather worried in the opening minutes of the final frame as Estonia scored again to tie the match for the second time. Switzerland hit the back of the net for the third time when Spacca sent a low flying rocket that got through everyone. Ott missed an earlier penalty but you cannot give a scorer like that more than one chance and when he was given another penalty kick, he slotted it home to make the sure 4-2 and all but seal the match. Estonia proved their mettle once again when they scored another late goal but the direct kick goal from Saharov was not enough to pull of the big upset as the game ended with Switzerland up 4-3.
Goals: 0-1: Marmor, min. 3 (1); 1-1: Mo, min. 0 (1); 1-2: Stankovic, min. 2 (2); 2-2: Marmor, min. 10 (3); 3-2: Spacca, min. 6 (3); 4-2: Ott, min. 4 (3); 4-3: Saharov, min. 0 (3).
France scared early by Slovakia but recovers for big win
The 10-3 win for France was big with two French hat-tricks, but the game had a much different feel and look in the opening period as Slovakia took the lead twice before France took control on the second and third periods. The win was huge for France as they have now secured a spot in the Group Phase II stage, which is to commence on Wednesday. France will next compete against Switzerland on Tuesday, for the top spot in the group. Slovakia will look for their first win in the qualifier against Estonia, who is also in search of its first points, on Tuesday.
France came into the match heavily favoured but no one told Slovakia as they began by playing as if it were any other match. Both sides took some great shots on goal but nothing went in until Pagis scored on a direct kick, putting his side up 1-0. The Slovakians quickly rebounded by scoring two back-to-back goals in a matter of seconds, to take their first lead of the qualifiers, as they were shut-out by the Swiss in their opening match. France answered the call and scored the equalizer in the closing seconds of the period to make sure the match leaning in their favour going into the middle frame. Slovakia began the middle frame by upping the pressure even more, but both sides did not get the result they wanted, a goal. Pagis changed that when he scored his second of the match, restoring the French lead at 3-2. France then turned on the afterburners and rattled off two more quick goals to put the score at 5-2 going into the final minutes. Les Bleus tacked on another three goals, including the third of the day for Pagis, to extend their lead to 8-2 heading into the last break.
The French would not let up and continued their scoring spree by scoring first in the final frame and extending their lead to seven goals. Slovakia lost a little of their early magic but they continued to fight and had some good looks at goal but the French were closing the windows too quickly for the Slovaks to recover. Slovakia did find the net again, after giving up nine unanswered goal, to make the score 10-3. The Slovakian goal came around the halfway mark of the period but it was not enough to spark the big comeback that they so desperately needed. When the buzzer sounded, France was still up 10-3.
Goals: 1-0: Pagis, min. 6 (1); 1-1: Kanyai, min. 7 (1); 1-2: Bures, min. 6 (1); 2-2: Francois, min. 0 (1); 3-2: Pagis, min. 8 (2); 4-2: Boucenna, min. 6 (2); 5-2: Boucenna, min. 4 (2); 6-2: Basquaise, min. 2 (2); 7-2: Pagis, min. 1 (2); 8-2: Barbotti, min. 0 (2); 9-2: Fischer, min. 10 (3);10-2: Boucenna, min. 7 (3); 10-3: Obert, min. 5 (3).
Spain stays the course in clinching victory
Spain´s 5-3 win over Azerbaijan had some amazing passing and great goals on both sides, leaving the Azeri wondering, why not us? The two teams looked very equal and exchanged goals and plays from start to finish but the Spanish made more saves and more importantly, more goals. Spain have now secured their place in the next stage, Group Phase II and can secure the maximum nine group points on Monday against the Czech Republic. Azerbaijan still has one win and will look to secure 2nd place in the group with a win against Bulgaria on Monday.
Spain and Azerbaijan both came ready to play as they used their well-respected goalies to keep the score even while they both continued to attack. The two sides stayed level until the final minutes in the period when Chiky slotted home the first goal of the match, putting Spain up 1-0. Llorenç doubled the Spanish lead in the closing seconds of the period and the match headed to the first break with Spain up 2-0. Azerbaijan did not panic and brought themselves back into contention with a great strike from Sabir, that made the score only 2-1 for Spain. The slim lead for La Furia Roja quickly disappeared as Azerbaijan netted another goal to tie things at 2. Almost immediately after the Azerbaijani’s second goal, Llorenç of Spain scored his second to restore Spain’s slim one goal lead. Spain then took advantage of a small opening to double their lead and put the difference back at two goals but Azerbaijan did not go away and used a timely goal from Amid to get back to within one goal at 4-3, which is how things would stay going into the final period.
Spain saw Azerbaijan make a few defensive mistakes early in the last period, but the Spanish were unable to take advantage of them and the score remained 4-3 heading into the middle of the period. Spain’s defensive mistakes also did not prove costly as whenever the Spanish slipped up, Azerbaijan could not capitalize. The Spanish used a spectacular run and brilliant passing to score the match’s next goal, which was ultimately finished by Kuman, and put Spain up by two goals very late in the game. Azerbaijan was unable to get any close than that and the match ended with Spain up 5-3.
Goals: 1-0: Chiky, min. 4 (1); 2-0: Llorenç, min. 0 (1); 2-1: Sabir, min. 11 (2); 2-2: Orkhan, min. 7 (2); 3-2: Llorenç, min. 6 (2); 4-2: R. Merida, min. 2 (2); 4-3: Amid, min. 1 (2); 5-3: Kuman, min. 3 (3).
Russia comes from behind to clinch head of group
The 4-2 win for Russia over Belarus was constantly a rush of emotions as both teams played at a great level in scoring goals, saving shots, and limiting opportunities for the opposition, all at different points in the match. Russia started slow but picked up their game as they stared at a deficit and a very resilient Belarusian side. The win means Russia wins the group and will not play until the Group Phase II stage is set, which will become official after Tuesdays matches. Belarus will also be advancing and will know their opponent on Tuesday evening.
Belarus needed a quick start to set the tone for the match and there could not have been a quicker start as they scored on the kick-off but within one second, using a rocket to go up 1-0. If Russia did not know that they were in a fight after that goal, they did after the Belarusians hit the post and repeatedly got through the Russian defense slightly missing shots that would have put Russia even further behind. Russia cannot be stopped for long and if Belarus did not know that they were in a dogfight then after Krash’s tying goal for Russia, they sure did. Belarus added to their score line with a very late goal to place themselves up 2-1 going into the first break. Things changes quickly in the middle period as Belarus was awarded a penalty kick, but Russia saved it and on the ensuing distribution, Krash scored his second for Russia. With the momentum in their favour, Russia added another goal less than a minute later, on a strike from Paporotnyi that struck both posts before going in, giving Russia the 3-2 lead. The rest of the period went scoreless and the match sat at 3-2 for Russia going into the final frame.
The final period was played at a breakneck speed with both teams looking to clinch the group outright and looking for the next goal that would surely sway the momentum one way or the other. The goal did not come in the early minutes and going into the middle of the frame, the score remained the same with the Russians clinging to a one goal lead at 3-2. The defense was stellar for both teams in keeping the score the same, as no real threats had reached the goalies as they headed into the final minutes of the match. Russia used a clutch direct kick from Shishin to give themselves a two goal safety cushion and all but assure the win and consequently, group head. The final whistle was blow a few minutes later with Russia still up 4-2.
Goals: 0-1: Bryshtsel, min. 11 (1); 1-1: Krash, min. 3 (1); 1-2: Slavutsin, min. 2 (1); 2-2: Krash, min. 7 (2); 3-2: Paporotnyi, min. 6 (2); 4-2: Shishin, min. 2 (3).
Italy slips past competitive English side to win group
The 4-2 win for Italy over England was much tighter than people might have expected before the match but once play started, it was evident that England belonged. The Italians took an early lead before seeing England punch back with two goals of their own, getting to within one goal, but Italy kept finding ways to stay one step ahead and maintain at least a slim lead. The excitement was thorough and both teams played at a World Cup quality level, which the Italian crowd noticed and appreciated. Italy earns first place in the group and will advance, along with England as second in the group, to the Group Phase II stage, set to begin on Wednesday.
England began the match soundly shutting down the Italian offense, though every Italian attack looked like it had the potential to score. Italy finally did get on the scoreboard first when a series of blocks and rebounds in front of the English goal led to the first goal, more than halfway through the period. Italy did not let up after the first goal and they doubled their first period lead on a blast from Marrucci with only a few minutes remaining in the opening frame. The score did not change as the match headed to the second period with the hosts up 2-0. The 2-0 lead did not stay that way for long as Di Palma scored in the opening seconds to put Italy up 3-0. The English were clawing and fighting for every ball and possession but the Azzurri defense was stifling. England’s Temple got his team on the mark with a great free kick that blew past the Italian keeper, Spada, to bring the score to 3-1 for Italy. The Three Lions were not finished with their comeback attempts as Morris netted a bobbling shot to bring the English to within one goal. Italy inflated their lead to two once again with a penalty kick goal from Ramacciotti and the period ended with Italy up 4-2.
Physical play was obvious throughout and the third period had more evidence of that but the Italians and English were not backing down from each other. Heading into the middle of the period both sides were attacking but the goalkeepers were keeping everything in front of them and both squads left chances on the table that could have changed proceedings one way or the other. Time began running out on the English as the minutes ticked away and they were still down by two goals, which are hard to come by against such a fast Italian squad. The two missing goals were never found and Italy found themselves on the right side of a 4-2 score once the buzzer sounded.
Goals: 1-0: Palmacci, min. 5 (1); 2-0: Marrucci, min. 3 (1); 3-0: Di Palma, min. 11 (2); 3-1: Temple, min. 6 (2); 3-2: Morris, min. 3 (2); 4-2: Ramacciotti, min. 2 (2).
FIFA BEACH SOCCER WORLD CUP 2015 – EUROPE QUALIFIER JESOLO-ITALY
Results today:
Sunday 07.09.14
09:00 – Czech Republic 5-4 Bulgaria (Group C)
10:15 – Greece 10-5 Moldova (Group A)
12:45 – Switzerland 4-3 Estonia (Group D)
14:00 – France 10-3 Slovakia (Group D)
15:15 – Spain 5-3 Azerbaijan (Group C)
16:30 – Russia 4-2 Belarus (Group B)
17:45 – Italy 4-2 England (Group A)
Matches for tomorrow:
Monday 08.09.14
11:30 – Romania vs. Austria (Group F)
12:45 – Germany vs. Latvia (Group E)
14:00 – Azerbaijan vs. Bulgaria (Group C)
15:15 – Poland vs. Hungary (Group F)
16:30 – Spain vs. Czech Republic (Group C)
17:45 – Ukraine vs. Norway (Group E)
