France World Cup -BEACH SOCCER

[Frank Cunha]

this week Portugal won the European Cup in the final with France on 9-8 including Penalty shots

[Frank Cunha]

national championship to starter on Friday, with Benfica, Porto, Sporting taken part
http://www.record.pt/noticia.asp?id=709467&idCanal=4

[verde-rubro]

Its the big one today France v Portugal to see who goes to the world cup later this year.

EBSL Superfinal: Italy, Poland and Spain book their tickets to Copacabana [world cup]
|23/08/2006|



Two days into the Euro Beach Soccer League Superfinal and we are still to see one single match being decided by more than one goal. It was like this, having to master the nerves, that Poland and Italy got breathtaking wins this Wednesday and changed their fate in the tournament. Poland’s 4-3 overtime win against Ukraine led them to the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup 2006 and also qualified Spain for the sport’s maiden competition. Italy, meanwhile, was inches close of being knocked out of contention, but eventually frustrated a packed stadium and guaranteed their trip to Rio de Janeiro.

Semi finalists Spain and Poland will decide the winner of Group B at 7:00pm on Thursday, while the 5:45pm France vs. Portugal clash will determine the other European Zone team to qualify for the EBSL Superfinal semi finals and, therefore, for November’s FBSWC in Rio de Janeiro. Last Chance Bracket action also starts on Thursday (see schedule below).

The six EBSL Superfinal teams play round robin inside their pools and the top two qualify for the semi finals. These four countries book their tickets to play in beach soccer’s premier competition, the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup 2006, to be held in Rio de Janeiro’s famed Copacabana Beach from November 2 t0 12. The two teams that fail to qualify for the semi finals keep fighting for a place in the FBSWC in the Last Chance Bracket – a knockout tournament between a total 12 teams that awards the last European Zone berth and that is being played in Marseille simultaneously to the EBSL Superfinal.

Sagan, FBSWC hero

It took Boguslaw Saganowski, alias Sagan, 35 seconds and two goals to take two countries to the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup 2006. The shorthanded Ukrainians, who had two players injured during training sessions in Marseille, showed character and had Poland on the ropes, but the striker simply would not let his country miss the chance of qualifying for Rio de Janeiro. Sagan stepped up: he levelled the score at three apiece with 21 seconds left in regulation and it took him only 14 seconds inside extra time to find again the back of the net. His cross lefty shot went just inches away of goalkeeper Gladchenko’s hands and booked both Poland’s and Spain’s tickets to the FBSWC.

“Our whole team worked steadily and hard for this. I was just the one who was able to finalize it”, said the fiery forward who was the best player of the EBSL Group A event of Mallorca earlier in August. “Week after week we have been going through new, incredible things. But this is nothing compared to what we have accomplished today.”

Group A still huddled

After everything that was already going on inside the pitch, France and Italy simply could not wait for what was coming from the stands. Almost 5,000 people – including former football star Michel Platini - had the Marseille stadium boiling and led the bleus not only to one, but to two comebacks after being down 0-3 and 3-5. The atmosphere hit fever pitch on the way to yet another overtime, but one goal from striker Carotenuto completely melted down the French joy, qualified the Italians and brought Group A contention back to life. Had the Frenchmen won the battle, they would be qualified for the FBSWC along with the Portuguese. As they were beaten, tomorrow’s France vs. Portugal means life or death for both FBSWC 2005 finalists. Whoever wins goes to Rio de Janeiro. The losers will try their luck in the Last Chance Bracket.

“That is just the way beach soccer is. Anything can change from one moment to the other”, said an amazed Roberto Pasquali, who scored a clutch hat trick. “We had two immensely hard-fought matches and now it is time to rest a bit and try to repeat our European title”, added the EBSL 2005 winner with Italy.

UKRAINE 3 x 4 POLAND (1x0 overtime)

Ukraine
Gladchenko, Kochin, Zubenko, Pylypenko and Varenytsya
Subs: Sydorenko, Kuzmin, Golovin and Kostenko
Head coach: Volodymyr Zaloylo
Goals: Zubenko 2’43 in the 1st; Golovin 4’30 in the 3rd and Pylypenko 8’14 in the 3rd

Poland
Guru, Keny, Wydma, Zukinho and Sagan
Subs: Wisnia, Junior, Viki, Polak and Zaba
Head coach: Jacek Ziober
Goals: Sagan (3) 10’46 in the 2nd, 11’39 in the 3rd and 0’14 in overtime and Polak 6’35 in the 2nd

Referees
Christian Hauben (FRA) 1st
Sofien Benchabane (FRA) 2nd
Carlos Frazão (POR) 3rd
Tomasz Grzelinski (POL) 4th

FRANCE 5 x 6 ITALY

France
Aubry, Edouard, Francois, Cardoso and Sciortino
Ottavy, Samoun, Basquaise, Libbra and Aureille
Goals: Cardoso (3) 10’33 in the 2nd, 4’35 and 6’35 in the 3rd; Samoun 2’38 and Sciortino 8’34 in the 2nd

Italy
Rasulo, Galli, Pasquali, Carotenuto and Fruzzetti
Subs: Scalabrelli, Leghissa, Feudi, Vasile and Lele
Head coach: Massimo Agostini
Goals: Pasquali (3) 9’06 in the 1st, 1’22 and 2’06 in the 3rd; Carotenuto (2) 4’15 in the 1st and 8’36 in the 3rd; Galli 1’30 in the 1st

Referees
Carlos Frazão (POR) 1st
Tomasz Grzelinski (POL) 2nd
Christian Hauben (BEL) 3rd
Lakhdar Benchabane (FRA)4th


EBSL SUPERFINAL

Group A
Italy 3 points, 2 matches*
Portugal, 2 points, 1 match
France 0 points, 1 match

Group B
Spain, 3 points, 1 match*
Poland 3 points, 1 match*
Ukraine 0 points, 2 matches

* Qualified for the semi finals and for the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup 2006

Match schedule: Thursday, August 24 (all times are local)
5:45pm: Portugal vs. France
7:00pm: Spain vs. Poland

Tuesday’s Results:
Portugal (1) 6 x 6 (0)Italy
Spain 5 x 4 Ukraine

LAST CHANCE BRACKET – 1ST ROUND

Thursday, August 24
11:00am: Netherlands vs. Montenegro
2:00pm: England vs. Russia
3:15pm: Belgium vs. Czech Republic
4:30pm: Germany vs. Hungary

[verde-rubro]

well we made it to the world cup finals in brasil starts in november


Amarelle and Nico lead Spain to EBSL 2006 title |27/08/2006|

It was clearly a clash between the best two teams in Marseille’s Euro Beach Soccer League Superfinal. Both Portugal and Spain had entered the tournament as the two top seeds, both had come from three impressive wins and both had difference-making talent in superstars Madjer and Amarelle. Difference is the Portuguese still had some other historical obstacle to pass by.

Call it the final match jinx. It may even by mere coincidence, but the fact is that it happened in the 2005 edition of the EBSL and in the inaugural FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup in the same year: Portugal shined their way to the decisive encounter and were frustratingly stopped one step away from paradise. Amarelle scored the two first goals of the match and Nico closed it with a pair of his own to lead Spain to the EBSL 2006 title wit a 4-2 victory.

“We have all reasons tocelebrate and feel proud for the serious work that has been done all summer long. We started our season with poor showing in the Euro Beach Soccer Cup in Naples and in the EBSL first stage, in Italy, but we knew we could reach the EBSL Superfinal as well as we have done", said Spanish head coach Joaquín Alosno. “Besides, it is also time to start thinking about the same kind of planning for the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup.”

Alonso’s Portuguese counterpart José Miguel Mateus, albeit disappointed with another defeat, does not seem to feel as if the series of losses in final matches has anything to do with confidence. “Losing in another final does not affect our, because we know that we have only reached these matches because of how good a team we are. Both of our previous losses (EBSL 2005 and FBSWC 2005) were in the penalty kick shootout, after having played good matches, so I do not think there is nothing to worry about regarding confidence”, he stated.

EBSL Group B Champions Poland remarked their status of surprise of the season as they finished 3rd in the Superfinal after a penalty kick shootout win against Italy. A 2-2 tie through overtime led the two teams to the series of shots that ended with Lele missing the decisive one for the Italians.

FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup Official Draw - At 9:00pm, FIFA will conduct the Official Draw for the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup 2006 at the Palm Beach Hotel in Marseille (200 Corniche J.F Kennedy, 13007 Marseilles, France). The draw, which will be conducted by FIFA Director Jérôme Valcke, will determine the fixtures for the group stage of the 10-day, 16-team tournament, which will take place on Rio de Janeiro’s famous Copacabana beach from 2 to 12 November 2006.

The draw ceremony will be open to the media, who are also invited to a pre-draw cocktail reception starting at 8:30pm. Accreditation is not required. Media representatives will, however, be required to present valid press passes. Free W-LAN will be provided. The draw will be followed by a media release. FIFA will also produce an international video news release, which broadcasters may receive via satellite from SNTV.

SPAIN 4 x 2 PORTUGAL

Spain
#1 Roberto V., #3 Alfonso, #6 Nico, #8 Javi and #10 Amarelle
Subs: #13 Rebo, #4 J. Lopez, #5 Johny, #7 Iri and #9 Pablo
Head coach: Joaquín Alonso
Goals: Amarelle (2) 0’14 in the 1st and 0’37 in the 2nd; Nico (2) 8’13 in the 2nd and 5’20 in the 3rd
Yellow card: Hernâni

Portugal
#22 Rodrigues, #2 P. Jorge, #6 Alan, #7 Madjer and #8 Marinho
Subs: #12 Bruno, #3 Hernani, #5 Ricardo Loja, #10 Belachior and #11 Jonas
Head coach: José Miguel Mateus
Goals: Madjer (2)1’15 in the 2nd and 7’57 in the 3rd
Yellow card: Nico

Referees
Christian Hauben (BEL) 1st
Sofien Benchabane (FRA) 2nd
Denis Jacob (BEL) 3rd
Stephan Fassler (SUI) 4th

[verde-rubro]

The Official Draw for the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup 2006 in Rio de Janeiro took place on August 27 at the conclusion of the European qualifying tournament at the Palm Beach Hotel in Marseilles, with the opening game on 2 November pitting Argentina against an African Zone representative. FIFA Director Jerome Valcke drew Poland, a team from the North, Central American and Caribbean Zone and Japan to go up against the host nation in the group round. The celebrities who attended the draw included the coach of defending champions France, Eric Cantona. FIFA Associations Committee member and president of the French Football Federation Jean-Pierre Escalettes and FIFA Futsal and Beach Soccer Committee member Joan Cuscó were also present.


The second FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup will get into full swing in the land of samba on 2 November 2006 and spectators of this thrilling variation on association football will be in for a real treat judging by the line-up of teams. The 10-day tournament on the famous Copacabana Beach will feature the top 16 teams from across all six confederations, as detailed below:

ASIAN ZONE (3 slots): Bahrain, Japan, Iran

AFRICAN ZONE (2 slots): TBC (Cameroon, Côte d’Ivoire, Egypt, Morocco, Nigeria and South Africa will contest the regional qualifying tournament in Durban, South Africa, from 26 to 30 September). After the qualifying event, a draw will be performed in order to determine the position of the two qualified teams from the African Zone.

NORTH, CENTRAL AMERICAN and CARIBBEAN ZONE (2 slots): TBC (Canada, Costa Rica, Mexico, Jamaica and USA will contest the regional qualifying competition in Costa Rica from 13 to 17 September). After the qualifying event, a draw will be performed in order to determine the position of the two qualified teams from the North, Central American and Caribbean Zone.

SOUTH AMERICAN ZONE (host + 2 slots): Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay.

OCEANIAN ZONE (1 slot): TBC (Cook Islands, Solomon Islands, Tahiti and Vanuatu to contest the regional qualifying competition in Tahiti from 1 to 3 September).

EUROPEAN ZONE (5 slots) : France, Italy, Poland, Portugal, Spain.

[verde-rubro]

Group A

Brazil
Poland
CONCACAF
Japan

Group B

Spain
France
CONCACAF
Iran

Group C

OFC
Africa
Portugal
Uruguay

Group D

Italy
Bahrain
Argentina
Africa

Quarterfinals

# Date Match
25 09 Nov 06 09:40 1st B - 2nd A
26 09 Nov 06 11:00 1st A - 2nd B
27 09 Nov 06 12:20 1st C - 2nd D
28 09 Nov 06 13:40 1st D - 2nd C

Semifinals

# Date Match
29 11 Nov 06 09:30 W25 - W27 or W28*
30 11 Nov 06 11:00 W26 - W27 or W28*

Match for 3rd place

# Date Match
31 12 Nov 06 09:30 L29 - L30

Finals

# Date Match
32 12 Nov 06 11:00 W29 - W30

*Draw after last match of Group Stage on Tuesday 07.11.06

[Frank Cunha]

World cup to be played in Rio de Janeiro between 2 of Nov to 12 of November

http://www.fpf.pt/seleccoes/praia/mundial/jogos.php

Portugal roster
http://www.fpf.pt/seleccoes/praia/mundial/conv.php

[Frank Cunha]

the stadium for the games
http://www.fpf.pt/seleccoes/praia/mundial/estadios.php

Portugal wants to reach the final
http://www.fpf.pt/seleccoes/praia/mundial/noticias.php

[Frank Cunha]

Thursday first game of the world cup vs Uruguay

http://www.fpf.pt/seleccoes/praia/mundial/jogos.php

[verde-rubro]

FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup 2006
Portugal pushed hard but still prevail

In the final minutes of the match, Madjer's goal secured a dramatic win for Portugal over Uruguay.
02 Nov 2006

While the Portuguese did the necessary by recording an important first-day win against Uruguay, Ze Miguel's charges were made to suffer until the very last minutes. Deprived of the space to develop their usual intricate approach play, the world and European finalists were left in no doubt that the group stage will be far from a cakewalk. But with three points already in the bag, they are nevertheless on the right course for qualification.
"I'm satisfied with my players' display, although I feel we could have retained possession a bit better late on," declared the Uruguayan coach Venancio Ramos. "But we were playing against the second best team in the world, so I can't really say I'm surprised to have lost the game."

Portugal have made no secret of their ambition to win the title this year, and Uruguay initially offered them a golden opportunity to showcase their credentials. Venancio Ramos' charges stood off the Europeans so much in the early stages that Alan's opening goal had an air of inevitability about it. Stung, the South Americans realised that attack was the best form of defence, and the game subsequently sprung into life, ending 3-3 at the end of the first period.

Fifth last year and second in their continental hierarchy, the South Americans set about asking some serious questions of the Selecao, and even finished the second period in the lead for the first time in the match courtesy of a splendid bicycle kick from Sarandi Sobral.

But the Portuguese are not favourites to win the event for nothing. Their ranks contain numerous players capable of stepping it up a gear when need be. Pinned in their own half, Uruguay managed to hold out until just three from time, when, in the space of a few seconds, Hernani and Madjer gave the score an entirely different look and secured victory for their side.

"We knew it would be a tough game," acknowledged Portugal's coach Ze Miguel after the game. This Uruguayan side has a typically South American style and are becoming increasingly adept at nullifying us. But my players showed a lot of patience in waiting for the right moment and then hitting them where it hurts."

[verde-rubro]

An opening day to savour

Argentina and Cameroon played out the inaugural match of the 2006 FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup, and it was the South Americans who came out on top, with Santiago Lopez Hilaire among their star performers.

THE DAY REPLAYED - As a fine but persistent drizzle fell over Rio de Janeiro on the morning of Thursday 2 November, the scorching sun that would later illuminate the world's finest exponents of beach soccer was as yet nowhere to be seen.

Undeterred by the inclement weather conditions, two thousand fans had queued patiently along the Avenida Atlantica for their tickets, and they would not be disappointed. As the goals flew in and excitement reigned supreme, the clouds soon made way for the kind of searing heat typical of this most famous of Brazilian cities.
Out on the sands of the Copacabana, Argentina and Portugal, two of the pre-tournament favourites, were certainly made to sweat for vital opening-day successes over Nigeria and Uruguay respectively, while Bahrain boosted their bourgeoning reputation with an impressive win over Italy. However, the day's big story came from the Solomon Islands, their defeat of Cameroon being their first-ever win in the final phase of a FIFA competition.

Argentina 5 - 4 Nigeria: Experience proves decisive
Despite touching down in Rio de Janeiro a matter of hours before kick-off, the Africans showed no sign of jet lag as they tore into an experienced Albiceleste side. Unfortunately for Nigeria, their over-exuberance would eventually cost them dear against the wily Argentinians, whose ruthless finishing compensated for an off-colour display. Inspired performances from the Lopez Hilaire brothers and a superb brace from deadly front-man Facundo Minico would eventually win the day for the South Americans, who had trailed going into the third and final period. Kelechi Emeteole's Nigeria team can take two positives from their defeat: Gabriel Agu will go down in the record books as the tournament's first goalscorer, while 16-year-old Ifeanyi Onigbo underlined his potential with a double strike.

Portugal 5 - 4 Uruguay: Patience brings its rewards
In a clash of footballing styles to savour, the typically slick Portuguese took to the sand to take on the always-competitive Uruguayans. The result? An enthralling encounter settled right at the death. The first period appeared to belong to the Lusitanians, until a stirring fightback from Venancio Ramos's men saw them turn the scoreline on its head. However, last year's beaten finalists refused to be ruffled, gradually cranking up the pressure until Madjer, Portugal's man for the big occasion, fired home the winner with just three minutes left. That said, if their performance today is anything to go by, then the Portuguese recipe for success will owe much more to perspiration than inspiration.

Italy 2 - 4 Bahrain: Adding substance to the rumours
Prior to the tournament there had been a lot spoken about Bahrain's excellent performances during qualifying, and the team led by Brazilian coach Gustavo Zlocewick certainly lived up to the hype. Leaving their mark on the Copacabana with a deserved victory against a strong Italy side, the Asian champions' nerveless display did much to vindicate those who have backed them as the tournament's surprise package.

The defeat turned out to be a painful lesson for the Azzurri who, as coach Massimo Agostini would later admit, will have to perform much better should they harbour hopes of a place in the last eight. Over in the Bahrain camp, their astute coach raised a few eyebrows when he said, "If we can get off to a start like that after only discovering this sport a few months ago, who knows what could happen? We could be better than Brazil in two years' time." He may be jumping the gun slightly, but a place in the quarter-final stages is already that bit closer.

Solomon Islands 5 - 2 Cameroon: History in the making
The Solomon Islands may have had to wait a long time before making their debut at the final phase of a FIFA competition, but the wait has not been in vain. Under the watchful eye of coach Eddie Omokirio, the Bilikiki Boys went toe-to-toe with fellow tournament new boys Cameroon in a frenetic encounter, showing nerves of steel to come away with an historic victory. The hero on an epic day for the Solomons was No.10 James Naka, scorer of all his side's five goals. In the best possible start to their stay in Rio, the win takes the Oceania champions straight to the top of Group C, ahead of European heavyweights Portugal. All of which means that the clash between the two teams, scheduled for the final round of group matches, is sure to be a cracker.

[Frank Cunha]

another article

great win for Portugal --5-Uruguay -4

Alain 2 and Madjer again
Hernani 1
http://www.fpf.pt/scriptnews/view/show.php?id=3798

[verde-rubro]

todays results
USA- JPN 4-8
BRA - POL 9-2
CAN - IRN 6-6 (1-0 PSO)
ESP - FRA 4-7

FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup 2006
Canada prevail in clash of the new boys

It was a day of firsts in Group B of the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup 2006 as tournament debutants Canada and Iran played out a 12-goal thriller before the North Americans pocketed the points in the first penalty shoot-out of the competition.
Once the dust had settled, Canada coach Rosario Ongaro was quick to point to the historic nature of his team's success. "Canada had never won a game before at a World Cup finals, and that makes this win all the more special for us," he declared. "If we can win our next match, we're through. We didn't expect this but we're absolutely delighted. Nonetheless, we need to raise our game defensively and cut out the silly mistakes."

Both sides had already had chances to take an early lead when Mohammad Ahmadzadeh opened Iran's account with just one minute on the clock, much to the delight of a small but vociferous band of Iranian supporters. The Canadian response was not long in coming as the imposing Sibila Sipho drove his team forward. The number 10 was in inspired mood and gave his side the lead after Ian Diaz, one of the Canucks' top two scorers in the CONCACAF qualifiers, had cancelled out Ahmadzadeh's opener.

All their good work was undone in the second period, however, as the hard-running Iranians pulled away thanks to some clinical finishing. By the time the buzzer for the second interval had sounded, Farshad Falahatzadeh's high-flying charges had established a 5-3 lead courtesy of some well-taken goals.

And yet, as the nail-biting final period illustrated to perfection, nothing is decided in Beach Soccer until the final whistle blows. Unsettled by Abbas Hashempour's dismissal for a second yellow card, the Asian challengers allowed the Canadians to roar back into contention, with Sibiya taking his tally for the afternoon to four goals. Despite his heroics, though, the Iranians were still in the ascendancy as the clock ticked down, only for Kyle Yamada to make it 6-6 with an opportunistic strike just seven seconds from time.

And with that went Iran's chances of victory. Sibiya's confident spot-kick in the resulting shoot-out was followed by Ahmadzadeh's miss, as the points went to the Canadians. The rousing ovation from the stands at least offered the plucky losers some consolation.

Even in the wake of an agonising defeat, coach Falahatzadeh refused to be downhearted: "We faced a lot of problems in even making it here, particularly in getting a team together," he explained. "A few guys dropped out at the last minute, and a lot of the team have had to face the pressure of competing in their first major international match outside Asia. We can still get through, though, and we're not out of it by any means," he added defiantly.

Referees: Joao Almeida (BRA), Fabio Polito (ITA), Francisco Sarmiento (ESP)