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 Americas & Beyond | May 2008 
Spain Retains European Crown At Home
 Beach Soccer Worldwide
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Earlier today, during the play-off for 3rd and 4th place of the Benidorm showpiece, the crowd stayed away from the ‘Playa de Levante’ Beach Soccer temple because of the poring rain, who has again proven to be Beach Soccer’s worst enemy. But as soon as the finalists stormed onto the Benidorm pitch the rainy clouds disappeared, and thousands of enthusiastic Spaniards entered the stadium to cheer the red fury to victory.
The hosts crown themselves European champions after defeating powerhouse Portugal 3-4 in a game very similar to Spain’s semi final spectacle yesterday. Amarelle and co spoiled the crowd with a comeback after being 2 goals down and conquer their second European trophy since FIFA took over the Beach Soccer World Championships in 2004. A great achievement by the Spaniards who managed to realize something nobody would have dared to risk their money on before the event, and leave the Lusitanians to wondering what happened.
Ramiro Amarelle was given the award of MVP of the tournament and Spanish goalkeeper Roberto clinched the best goalkeeper trophy, his first award at an official Beach Soccer event since he became available again to play for the beach red fury.
Russia finishes third at the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup Qualifier Benidorm by overcoming a shorthanded Italy side in the outset of the final matchday. Under the poring rain, the Azurri never really had a chance against the powerful Russians who dominated from start until finish. Leonov opened the score early in the second period, but Pasquali did what he failed to do yesterday and put the 1-1 on the scoreboard. The Italians lacked concentration in defense and the Russians took the lead back with goals by Shaykov and Shushin. Palmacci managed to bring back some excitement in the game by scoring his fifth at the Benidorm showpiece for an Italy side that seemed more then satisfied with the World Cup berth they clinched in the quarter finals two days ago. Gorchinskiyy eventually completed the final score so that Russia ends their qualifying campaign on a positive note.
The final whistle at the Benidorm Qualifier also put an end to the series of qualifiers that the Beach Soccer Nations have been through towards reaching the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup 2008 that will be played in Marseille from July 17-27. Over the past months 15 teams managed to qualify for the global event and joined host France in the official draw that took place today (May 18) immediately after the final at Benidorm’s hotel Villaitana.
To see the results of the draw for the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup 2008, click HERE
Final Standings:
Champion: Spain*
Runner-up: Portugal*
3rd place: Russia*
4th place: Italy*
*qualify for the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup 2008 Marseille
Individual awards:
Best player: Ramiro Amarelle (ESP)
Best goalkeeper: Roberto (ESP)
Top goal scorer: Dejan Stankovic (SUI) – 16 goals
Fair-play award: Madjer (POR)
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 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 4 x 2 Italy
Followed by M52 Portugal 3 x 4 Spain
*ap: After penalties
High resolution pictures available at: www.beachsoccer.com/photogallery.php
 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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