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 Americas & Beyond | May 2008 
Smiles and Cries in Benidorm
 Beach Soccer Worldwide
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Portugal was the first team to clinch a berth for this year’s global showpiece, and is making a good shot at conquering the European title. Jose Mateus’ troops made their intentions very clear by dominating their quarter final from start until finish. The Greek defence had no answer to the Lusitanians fluent combinations mostly created by the outstanding performing usual suspects Alan and Madjer. Tomorrow Portugal will face Russia on their road to continental glory.
“People want goals and lots of tricks but we have to focus on winning, which is what really matters. The first step was qualifying for the World Cup, and now that that is behind us we can concentrate on taking the title back home”, commented Portugal captain Hernani after his team’s demonstration.
Ukraine and Italy gave the over present crowd what they came to the stadium for, a true Beach Soccer battle In which Italy edged past former Soviets Ukraine with an impressive 3-8 to clinch their berth to the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup 2008. Until today the Italians were never convincing at the Benidorm showdown, something that can not be said from the yellow and blues, but today the Azzurri put on a breathtaking show which puts them into the Semis and one step closer to lifting the European trophy.
Under immense pressure, the Swiss once again showed poise and a lot of improvement in comparison to their performance in former occasions at the European World Cup Qualifier, but again didn’t manage to qualify for Beach Soccer’s most prestigious event. Until late in the third period, the Russians seemed to be heading towards an easy 3-0 victory, when top scorer Stankovic managed to score his goal number 15 and 16 of the Benidorm showdown in an attempt to realize a heroic comeback, but failed and the Swiss return homewards empty-handed. Tomorrow Russia will face Portugal on their way to the final of the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup 2008 Qualifier Benidorm.
“We expected a tough match and that's exactly what we got. You only have to look at the result. Technically they are superb and have with Stankovic in their ranks a player who can hurt any defence when he’s having a good day. We knew that, so we adapted our game a little and eventually won the physical battle”, explained Russian defender Makarov.
Host Spain rushes into the Semis and snatches their Marseille berth by putting up a mind blowing show in front of thousands of enthusiastic Spaniards. Led by an inspiring Amarelle, the red fury overpowered the Czech Republic 1-7 and completes the next phase towards reaching continental glory in Benidorm.
Results and match schedule (GMT+1)
May 11 (Sunday) – Matches
9:00am Hungary 3 x 1 Austria
Ukraine 6 x 2 Andorra
Followed by England (3)2 x 2(2) Estonia ap*
Norway 4 x 3Greece
Followed by Czech Rep 5 x 4 Netherlands
Germany 8 x 3 Romania
Followed by Slovakia 1 x 4 Poland
Followed by Lithuania 3 x 14 Switzerland
Followed by Azerbaijan 2 x 4 Italy
Followed by Latvia 1 x 4 Russia
Followed by Georgia 3 x 15 Portugal
Followed by Belarus 0 x 5 Spain
May 12 (Monday) – Matches
9:00am Germany 3 x 1 Belarus
Czech Rep 7 x 5 Latvia
Followed by Norway 2 x 3 Azerbaijan
England 4 x 1 Georgia
Followed by Ukraine 7 x 4 Slovakia
Hungary 6 x 2 Lithuania
Followed by Poland 4 x 2 Andorra
Followed by Switzerland 4 x 3 Austria
Followed by Italy (2)1 x 1(1) Greece ap*
Followed by Russia (0)4 x 4(1) Netherlands ap*
Followed by Portugal 5 x 2 Estonia
Followed by Spain 8 x 2 Romania
May 13 (Tuesday) – Matches
9:00am Andorra 5 x 7 Slovakia
Netherlands 2 x 4 Latvia
Followed by Estonia 7 x 0 Georgia
Greece 5 x 1 Azerbaijan
Followed by Romania 2 x 6 Belarus
Austria 2 x 4 Lithuania
Followed by Poland 3 x 4 Ukraine
Followed by Switzerland 5 x 1 Hungary
Followed by Italy 5 x 2 Norway
Followed by Russia 6 x 2 Czech Rep
Followed by Portugal 6 x 1 England
Followed by Spain 6 x 1 Germany
May 14 (Wednesday) – Rest Day
May 15 (Thursday) – 1/8 finals
10:15am M37 Czech Republic 4 x 1 Hungary
11:30 M38 Italy 4 x 3 Belarus
12:45 M39 Portugal 8 x 1 Latvia
14:00 M40 Germany 3 x 4 Greece
15:15 M41 Russia 6 x 0 Estonia
16:30 M42 Ukraine 6 x 0 England
17:45 M43 Poland 3 x 4 Switzerland
19:00 M44 Spain 6 x 3 Norway
May 16 (Friday) – Quarter finals
15:15 M45 Greece 0 x 8 Portugal
16:30 M46 Ukraine 3 x 8 Italy
17:45 M47 Russia 3 x 2 Switzerland
19:00 M48 Czech Republic 1 x 7 Spain
May 17 (Saturday) – Semi finals
17:45 M49 Portugal x Russia
Followed by M50 Italy x Spain
May 18 (Sunday) – 3rd & 4th play-off/Final
17:45 M51 Loser M49 x Loser M50
Followed by M52 Winner M49 x Winner M50
*ap: After penalties
 Click HERE for the complete matchday report (PDF)
 FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup 2008
Follow the competition from Durban, to Puerto Vallarta, Buenos Aires, Dubai, and Benidorm on the road leading up to the final championship matches in Marseille, France, the host country for the 2008 FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup. |
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