Victories for Russia, Spain and Switzerland on second day of Euro Beach Soccer Cup, as finalists are decided
Spain and Netherlands were in action twice today, and both with very dfferent results, as the group stages were settled and finalists decided. Here’s how the action played out…
Netherlands vs Russia
Gert Oosterbroek’s Dutch side were looking to start their Women’s Euro Beach Soccer Cup with a win against a Russian team who saw off the spirited Swiss yesterday to claim the first three points of the tournament.
It took just a minute for the Russians to make their presence on the sand felt, as Samorodova made up for her own goal yesterday, by rifling in a beauty from the half way line, leaving the Dutch keeper no chance.
Zaitseva doubled the Russian advantage, before it was halved just minutes later by an overhead volley from De Bondt that snuck in at the near post. The first period finished at 1-2 with the Dutch still very much in the tie despite Ilia Leonov’s ladies enjoying the lion’s share of the chances.
Both teams managed to find the net once more in the second period, and Russia struggled to hang on to their advantage as they scrambled the ball off the line in the closing stages before the second break.
But then Leonov’s ladies pushed their lead to two goals, and things swiftly got worse for the Dutch as they saw their number seven, Jongsma, sent off and Russia awarded a penalty, which was despatched by Gorshkova to complete her brace. A brace then became a hat-trick for her, as she converted a bicycle kick from the edge of the area.
This late burst of goals proved too much for the Dutch, who would have to wait until they faced Switzerland later in the day for their next chance at some Women’s Euro Beach Soccer Cup points.
Goals: 0-1: Samorodova, min. 11 (1); 0-2: Zaitseva, min. 4 (1); 1-2: De Bondt, min. 11 (1); 1-3: Ivashkina, min. 9 (2); 2-3: Verschoor, min. 6 (2); 2-4: Gorshkova, min. 11 (3); 2-5: Gorshkova, min. 9 (3); 2-6: Gorshkova, min. 4 (3);
Spain vs Czech Republic
Czech Republic were aiming to make up for the loss they suffered at the hands of the reigning English champions yesterday. But a Spanish side, coached by Cristian Mendez, were eager to kick off their Women’s Euro Beach Soccer Cup with a win.
In the opening period, both sides created promising attacks, but neither were able to convert them and it seemed that the stage would end goalless, until Alba Mellado found the net to give the Spaniards the lead just seconds before the whistle blew.
But they were just getting started, as a quick-fire brace from the captain Miron, put La Roja in control of the game at the start of the second period but before it was over, Mellado had a brace and with just a minute to go, De Francisco slid in to convert a loose ball and make it five.
But there was still time for Captain Miron to smash in a long range shot and for Mellado to find the net once more too, both of whom went into the second break with a hat-trick each!
It’s seemed that the Czechs were truly overwhelmed by the Spanish firepower and it became a case of damage limitation for Petr Visek’s side, who will finish the tournament bottom of Group A. After putting eight past their Czech opponents, Spain would play England later in the day to fight it out for top spot.
Goals: 1-0: Mellado, min. 0 (1); 2-0: Miron, min. 11 (2); 3-0: Miron, min. 6 (2); 4-0: Mellado, min. 5 (2); 5-0: De Francisco, min. 1 (2); 6-0: Miron, min. 0 (2); 7-0: Mellado, min. 0 (2); 8-0: De Francisco, min. 1 (2);
Switzerland v Netherlands
The Netherlands, still smarting from their defeat to a very strong Russian side this morning, wanted to pick up their first Euro Beach Soccer Cup points against Franziska Steinemann’s Swiss side who had also fallen to an overwhelming Russian side, yesterday.
The teams fought a close contest and when the first period ended, each had converted one of the numerous chances created. The goalkeepers had been involved in a lot of the play, both keeping their teams in the game and maintaining the stalemate going into the first break.
Another goal apiece in the second period, including an own goal from Morger who had already scored for her team in the first period, meant that the race continued and neither side looked likely to blink, until Morger netted once more for Switzerland, half way through the final period.
This proved to be the winning goal and the Netherlands end the tournament bottom of the group on zero points. The Swiss finish is second behind Russia who have already secured their place in the final tomorrow.
Goals: 1-0: Morger, min. 6 (1); 1-1: Birrfelder, min. 2 (1); 1-2: De Bondt, min. 3 (2); 2-2: Morger (OG) min. 2 (2); 2-3: Morger min. 8 (3);
England v Spain
This bout would not only decide who topped Group A, but who would face a dangerous looking Russian side in tomorrow’s final. Both Perry Northeast’s England and Cristian Mendez’s Spain had won their previous games and were eager to keep the momentum going.
It appeared that neither side was keen to blink first, playing a very reserved game and creating little in the opening passage of play. As the period continued, Spain produced more and more goal-scoring opportunities and they eventually converted one when Pascual drove in a free-kick from distance, nosing the Spanish ahead.
Going into the second period, the goalkeepers both made impressive and athletic saves to keep the score at 0-1 until halfway through the second half when, after a bout of Spanish pressure, Carla converted to double her side’s advantage.
Two minutes later, Lorena Asensio made it three and it looked like England’s title defending campaign was over, as their frustration grew and they started snatching at shots that would usually have any goalkeeper jumping. A final killer blow from the Spanish captain, Miron, saw of any chance of a comeback.
Spain will meet Russia in the final tomorrow, while England will have to settle for a chance at third place.
Goals: 0-1: Pascual, min. 3 (1); 0-2: Carla, min. 7 (3); 0-3: Asensio, min. 5 (3); 0-4: Miron, min. 1 (3);
Follow all the Euro Beach Soccer League Nazaré 2018 action, including teams, fixtures and results, right here.
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