Russia have done what they do best and claim another European title, the maiden edition of the Women’s Euro Beach Soccer League Superfinal!
They beat England in decisive fashion to cruise to victory, and they also claimed the MVP, which went to Iana Zubilova as well as the Best Goalkeeper which was won by Anna Akylbaeva. England’s Molly Clark, scoring seven goals in four games, took home the Top Scorer trophy.
In the playoffs to decide the finish positions, Spain left it very late to edge Switzerland and take third, while Portugal marked their return to European beach soccer with a win over Ukraine.
ENG 2-8 RUS (SUPERFINAL)
The two previous winners of the European championships were out to claim the first-ever edition of the Women’s Euro Beach Soccer League when they met in Figueira da Foz on Sunday. undoubtedly two of Europe’s top teams, it is never dull when these sides meet.
The Lionesses had come out on top when they played against each other in the EBSL Regular Stage earlier in the year, which England went on to win, but Russia drew first blood in the Superfinal, and it was captain Kempson who saw an unlucky deflection bounce into her own net for the first goal.
Bazhanova then finished clinically to make it two to Russia, but just before the first whistle sounded, Gemma Hillier slotted home a set piece to make it 1-2.
Russia, however, were playing at a different level today, as Petrova, Cherniakova, Zubilova and then Zaitseva stunned the English defence, to take the score to 6-1 at the beginning of the final period.
The tournament Top Scorer Molly Clark hit back with a wonder goal straight from kick-off, but Petrova’s second and then another own goal, this one bouncing off the back of England keeper Scadding, saw the final whistle sound with the scoreline at 2-8.
An unexpectedly one-side final in the end, but there is no doubting the strength of the Russian side – champions of Europe for three seasons running!
Goals: 0-1: Kempson (OG), min. 8 (1); 0-2: Bazhanova, min. 7 (1); 1-2: Hillier, min. 1 (1); 1-3: Petrova, min. 11 (2); 1-4: Cherniakova, min. 5 (2); 1-5: Zubilova, min. 3 (2); 1-6: Zaitseva, min. 11 (3); 2-6: Clark, min. 11 (3); 2-7: Petrova, min. 7 (3); 2-8: Scadding (OG), min. 4 (3);
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