Romania and former World Champions Russia knocked out of European Games on day two
Portugal and Italy took their first wins on day two in Minsk to keep their hopes of gold alive, while Ukraine and Belarus are yet to taste defeat after seeing off Spain and Switzerland.
The hosts, Belarus, were taken right to the wire to win their points against Switzerland, while Ukraine netted two late goal to down La Roja and go top of Group B.
However, second defeats for Romania and Russia dealt fatal blows to their gold medal hopes, as they become the first teams to exit the European Games.
Portugal 8-1 Romania
Suffering a dip in form, made worse by an extra time loss to Switzerland in their first match at the European Games, Portugal were in dire need of points against Romania.
The only side who made it to Minsk from the Euro Beach Soccer League Division B were equally desperate for points, missing out 1-6 to their hosts yesterday, but it was Goncalves who drew first blood for Portugal after a minute of play.
Florea hit back for Romania, but Coimbra and Be Martins struck to make it 3-1. Then Goncalves added his second before the break, and completed a hat-trick just after the restart to make it five to Portugal.
Romania were slipping further out of sight, and when Jordan found the net too, they went into the final period trailed by six goals to one.
Ravoiu grabbed a second for the Romanians but a Belchior brace in the last 12 minutes wrapped up the points for Narciso’s men who keep hopes of a gold medal alive with a comfortable win.
They will take on the hosts in their final group match, while Romania are set to face Switzerland.
Goals: 1-0: Goncalves, min. 10 (1); 1-1: Florea, min. 8 (1); 2-1: Coimbra, min. 6 (1); 3-1: Be Martins, min. 5 (1); 4-1: Goncalves, min. 4 (1); 5-1: Goncalves, min. 7 (2); 6-1: Jordan, min. 1 (2); 7-1: Belchior, min. 8 (3); 8-1: Belchior, min. 1 (3); 8-2: Ravoiu, min. 1 (3);
Italy 4-2 Russia
Both Italy and Russia had lost by the slimmest of margins the previous day and points were essential today if they wanted to keep any hope of competing for the gold alive.
Just as he had done yesterday against Ukraine, Corosinitti nosed the Azzurri into an early lead midway through the first period, and his goal was all that separated the teams at the first whistle.
A stroke of bad luck saw Italian keeper Del Mestre turn the ball in his own net, and then the Russians struck again through Krash who made it 1-2.
As the second period was nearing its end, Gori managed to equalise and it looked as if yet another match could well be heading to extra time, as two of Europe’s beach soccer giants went into the final period level pegging.
It was Del Duca’s men who found that extra energy in final third, with goalkeeper Carpita blasting in number three and then Gori netting his second of the match. These strikes sealed three vital points for the men in blue, while Russia suffer yet another devastating blow.
Italy will face old Mediterranean rivals Spain in tomorrow’s match, while Russia’s final chance at points in the group stage will come against Ukraine.
Goals: 1-0: Corosinitti, min. 5 (1); 1-1: Del Mestre (OG), min. 10 (2); 1-2: Krash, min. 8 (2); 2-2: Gori, min. 4 (2); 3-2: Carpita, min. 8 (3); 4-2: Gori, min. 2 (3);
Spain 4-6 Ukraine
Victory had not come easily for these sides yesterday, as Spain won two points thanks to an Edu Suarez golazo, and Ukraine held their nerve in a penalty shootout against Italy.
However, points had been dropped and it was therefore even more important to strive for all three today. After almost a year out, the Ukrainian number 11, Korniichuk, marked his return with a goal after just a minute and a half.
Spain began the second period on the backfoot, and the deficit was doubled when Zborovskyi scored directly from the restart. But a turnaround came when keeper Dona, then Javi Torres and David, all found the net in the space of just six minutes.
Spain lead only momentarily, as Borsuk levelled up before the second period finished, keeping the match tantalizingly close. Pachev nosed Ukraine in front but an own goal by Nerush cancelled it out to level up once more.
Completing his brace was Pachev’s response, grabbing the lead for the last time in the match and Borsuk added a sixth to put the match to bed.
Their first defeat sees La Roja drop to third in Group B, as Ukraine shoot into pole position. A win against the already-eliminated Russia on Thursday will seal their place in the next round.
Goals: 0-1: Korniichuk, min. 10 (1); 0-2: Zborovskyi, min. 11 (2); 1-2: Dona, min. 10 (2); 2-2: Javi Torres, min. 6 (2); 3-2: David, min. 4 (2); 3-3: I. Borsuk, min. 4 (2); 3-4: Pachev, min. 10 (3); 4-4: Nerush, min. 6 (3); 4-5: Pachev, min. 6 (3); 4-6: A. Borsuk, min. 1 (3);
Belarus 5(3)-(2)5 Switzerland *PSO
Belarus breezed to an opening victory against Romania yesterday and they shocked Switzerland, who had beaten Portugal in extra time, by kicking off their second match by taking an immediate lead.
Goals from Bryshtel, Miranovich, Bokach and Ryabko blew the Swiss away within the 12 minutes. Wuest did manage to pull one back, but Angelo Schirinzi’s men went into the second period trailing by 4-1.
Belarus struggled to score from that point on, as the Swiss found their rhythm and gradually got themselves back into the game. Wuest hit another one early in the second period, then Stankovic cut the deficit to just one.
The final 12 minutes started with Belarus hanging on to a 4-3 lead, but not for long. Noel Ott found the net and then Wuest completed a hat-trick with four minutes to go, grabbing the lead for the Swiss for the first time in the match. The hero for the hosts was Savich, who provided the equaliser with just 21 seconds on the clock to force extra time.
After the three added minutes couldn’t separate them, penalties were the only option. Belarus netted three out of their four spotkicks, as Wuest and Hodel failed to convert for Switzerland, giving the hosts the point and the topspot in Group A.
Goals: 1-0: Bryshtel, min. 10 (1); 2-0: Miranovich, min. 7 (1); 3-0: Bokach, min. 5 (1); 4-0: Ryabko, min. 0 (1); 4-1: Wuest, min. 0 (1); 4-2: Wuest, min. 8 (3); 4-3: Stankovic, min. 1 (2); 4-4: Ott, min. 9 (3); 4-5: Wuest, min. 4 (3); 5-5: Savich, min. 0 (3);
PSO: 1-0: Savich, scored; 1-1: Ott, scored; 2-1: Bokach, scored; 2-1: Wuest, missed; 2-1: Kanstantsinau, missed; 2-2: Stankovic, scored; 3-2: Samsonov, scored; 3-2: Hodel, missed;
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