| | |  Americas & Beyond | July 2008 
New Venue, Familiar Kings
 FIFA.com
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Marseille is a long, cross-Atlantic journey away from the Copacabana beach on which Brazil won the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup in 2006 and 2007, but the formidable Seleção undid Italy to emerge atop of the podium once again on Prado beach. Bronze went to Portugal, who edged an enticing duel with Spain to return home with their heads held high. FIFA.com takes a closer look at the concluding day to a tournament that will live long in the memory.
Brazil 5-3 Italy
Goals - Bruno (2), Sidney (2), Andre for Brazil; Palmacci, Pasquali and Maradona Jr for Italy
After struggling past Russia and Portugal, Alexandre Soares' side, with Buru back at its fulcrum, made lighter work of a determined Italy, whose impressive, third-period comeback made the final score a respectable 5-3. Doubles from Bruno and Sidney had given Brazil a four-goal lead, which was then extended by Andre before Paolo Palmacci sparked a comeback.
Brazil bade a triumphant farewell to the Marseille fans with more of their breathtaking skills and interchange, and Sidney's second goal was truly something to behold. They will be hoping to re-establish their dominance in Dubai next year, although they will have to do so without Junior Negao, who retired from the sport today with the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup in his hands.
The player
Bruno (BRA)
He scored the winner in Brazil's 5-4 defeat of Portugal in the semi-finals, and this time Bruno scored the first two goals, both expertly taken, to propel his side to the title.
The stat
3 - The number of FIFA Beach Soccer World Cups Brazil have won following four editions of the competition.
What they said
"It's far more difficult to win the title outside of Brazil, so we're even more delighted than we were last year. We played well today and deserved this trophy. It's for all our fans," Junior Negao, Brazil player.
Portugal 5-4 Spain
Goals - Madjer (3), Bilro, Torres for Portugal; Amarelle (3), Nico for Spain.
Madjer and Amarelle thrilled in the third-place play-off, both scoring hat-tricks apiece in front of a grateful audience. The former's team-mates got the better of the latter's, however, and goals from Bilro and Torres earned Portugal the slightest of victories in this tense, all-Iberian affair.
 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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