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 Americas & Beyond | May 2008 
Spain Shocks Italy to Meet Portugal in Benidorm Final
 Beach Soccer Worldwide
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The hosts of this World Cup Qualifier put up a mind-blowing Beach Soccer exhibition in the second semi final of day five at the Benidorm showpiece and defeated the Azzurri 6-7 after Penalties. Led by an inspiring Amarelle, the red fury got back in a game that until three minutes from the final whistle was as good as lost for the Spaniards.
The 30-year-old captain had another scenario in mind and had a moment that made one think back of when living legend Zinedine Zidane won the game for ‘Les bleus’ against England at the 2002 FIFA World Cup™. Amarelle scored two goals in an exhilarating end to the third period and obliged both teams to decide the encounter on the penalty spot. Pasquali missed Italy’s third, which puts Spain in the final and condemns the Italians to stride for third place tomorrow.
It’s clear that Russia has loads of potential and that they’ve steadily evolved into a team that has his place amongst the worlds finest. But next time they may just wish that they don’t have to face Portugal on their way to a final of the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup Qualifier. The Russian force started quite well and took a 0-1 lead early in the first period.
For a long time it seemed that the Lusitanians weren’t going to be able to break through a well organised Russian defence, who countered every attack Madjer and co set up. Until at the end of the second period, the Portuguese demonstrated why they are widely regarded as tournament favorites after their stunning performances here in Benidorm. Portugal again showed their immense quality by overcoming a strong and always determined Russian side with goals by Belchior and Madjer to clinch a spot in the final of the Benidorm showdown.
Tomorrow both teams will stride for continental glory and put an end to an historical FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup 2008 Qualifier Benidorm.
Results and match schedule (GMT+1)
May 11 (Sunday) – Matches
9:00 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
9:00 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
9:00 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
10:15 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 (ET)
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 M47 Ukraine 3 x 8 Italy
17:45 M46 Russia 3 x 2 Suiza
19:00 M48 Czech Republic 1 x 7 Spain
May 17 (Saturday) – Semi finals
17:45 M49 Portugal 2 x 1 Russia
Followed by M50 Italy (3)3 x 3(4) Spain ap*
May 18 (Sunday) – 3rd & 4th play-off/Final
17:45 M51 Russia x Italy
Followed by M52 Portugal x Spain
ap*: after penalties
The 24 teams in the European Zone Qualifier to be played from May 11 to 18 were drawn into 6 groups of 4 teams from which sixteen teams will go to the next round and so on towards the semi finals, where we will officially know the 4 teams that qualify for the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup 2008 Marseille.
 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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