2019 Euro Beach Soccer League

The 2019 Euro Beach Soccer League (EBSL) was the 22nd edition of the Euro Beach Soccer League, the annual, premier competition in European beach soccer contested between men's national teams. It was organised by Beach Soccer Worldwide (BSWW), in a league and play-off format.

2019 Euro Beach Soccer League
Composite image of the banner style logos used during the 2019 EBSL. At each regular season stage, the main EBSL banner is joined soley by the subtitle corresponding to that stage.
Tournament details
Host countriesPortugal
Italy
Dates5 July – 8 September
Teams28 (from 1 confederation)
Venue(s)3 (in 3 host cities)
Final positions
Champions Portugal (6th title)
Runners-up Russia
Third place Spain
Fourth place Italy
Tournament statistics
Matches played71
Goals scored566 (7.97 per match)
Stage 1, Nazaré
Stage 2, Catania
Superfinal, Figueira da Foz
Locations of the two stages and the Superfinal of the 2019 Euro Beach Soccer League

This season, the competing teams continued to take part in two divisions: the top tier (Division A) and the bottom tier (Division B). 12 teams continued to contest Division A; all twelve teams returned from last season's top tier as none were relegated. Division B accommodated a record 16 nations: 14 nations who did not gain promotion from last season, Finland who made their debut, and the Netherlands who returned after an absence from competing in recent years.

Due to the saturated 2019 international beach soccer calendar for European teams, this season was shortened considerably compared to the usual program.[1][2] A total of just two stages of fixtures were scheduled during the regular season. Each team from Division A played in just one stage (compared to the usual two) whilst each team in Division B also played in one. At each stage the participating nations earned points for the overall league tables.

At the end of the regular season, according to the league tables, the eight best teams in Division A advanced to the post-season event, the Superfinal, to compete to become the winners of this year's EBSL. Meanwhile, the top seven teams in Division B (the four group winners and three best runners-up) and the team ranked bottom of Division A played in a different post-season event, the Promotion Final, to try to earn a spot in Division A next year.

Azerbaijan, the defending Division A team in the Promotion Final, beat Kazakhstan in the final to win the event, therefore retaining their Division A status for next season;[3] for the second year running, no Division B nation earned promotion. Italy were the defending champions but were knocked out of title-winning contention in the group stage of the Superfinal, ultimately finishing fourth in the post-season event. The concluding match of the Superfinal was contested between Russia and Portugal, who were both looking to claim a record sixth European title.[4] Portugal, on home sand, came from 2–0 down to win the match and claim their sixth EBSL crown.[5]

Calendar and locations

The calendar below was revealed on 18 March 2019.[6]

Similarly to the 2008 and 2015 editions, this season's regular season schedule was truncated, down to just two stages, in order to accommodate the additional events taking up space in the international calendar,[1][2] including Division A teams competing in just one stage each, compared to the usual two stages.[7]

Phase Dates Country City Stage Divisions
Regular
season		5–7 July PortugalNazaréStage 1AB
16–18 August ItalyCataniaStage 2AB
Post-season/
Finals		5–8 September PortugalFigueira da FozSuperfinalA
Promotion FinalB

Teams
  Competing in Division A
  Competing in Division B
  Competed in previous editions but not this year
  Never competed in the EBSL

The following 28 teams entered this season, divided into divisions A and B as shown (12 in Division A, 16 in Division B).[6]

The numbers in parentheses show the European ranking of each team prior to the start of the season, out of 36 nations.[8]

Division A

Division B
Notes:
1. Teams making their debut

Stage 1 (Nazaré, 5–7 July)
Praia de Nazaré
Estádio do Viveiro

Matches are listed as local time in Nazaré, WEST (UTC+1)

All matches took place at the Estádio do Viveiro on Praia de Nazaré (Nazaré Beach),[9] in tandem with the hosting of the 2019 Women's Euro Beach Soccer Cup. The area has a capacity of 2,200.[10]

During this round, Georgia won their first ever matches in the EBSL,[11] ultimately leading to a first stage title (in either division), meanwhile Spain reached a milestone of winning their 25th stage title. Goalkeeper Valentin Jaeggy made his 300th appearance for Switzerland on day 3, marked with a commemorative jersey presented on-field by fellow players.[12]

Division A

Division B
Key:   Group winners
Pos Team Pld W W+ WP L GF GA GD Pts
1 Georgia 320011210+26
2 Bulgaria 32001128+46
3 Norway 31002812–43
4 Denmark 31002810–23

Georgia & Bulgaria; Norway & Denmark are ranked based on their head-to-head results.
5 July 2019 Norway  4–1  Denmark
13:30
  • Sorensen  8', 19'
  • H. Salveson  10'
  • Li  33'
 Report(ru)
  •  13' C. Jorgensen
 Referee: Oezcan Sultanolu (Turkey)
5 July 2019 Georgia  4–3  Bulgaria
14:45
  • Davitadze  4'
  • Todadze  20'
  • Kokoladze  23'
  • Shamiladze  25'
 Report(ru)
  •  8' Tsvetkov
  •  25' Filipov
  •  34' Gospodinov
 Referee: Oleg Cebotari (Moldova)
6 July 2019 Norway  3–6  Georgia
11:30
  • Sandsor  8'
  • E. Salveson  32'
  • Sorensen  33'
 Report(ru)
  •  13' Shamiladze
  •  15', 18' Ivaniadze
  •  19' Kokoladze
  •  21' K. Makhadadze
  •  35' G. Makharadze
 Referee: Emmanuel Vocale (Belgium)
6 July 2019 Bulgaria  4–3  Denmark
12:45
  • Filipov  7', 7', 20'
  • C. Jorgensen  8' (o.g.)
 Report(ru)
  •  7', 33' C. Jorgensen
  •  22' Kjobek
 Referee: Francisco Henriques Costa (Portugal)
7 July 2019 Denmark  4–2  Georgia
12:45
  • Damm  3'
  • Raedkjaer  6', 30'
  • Kjobek  36'
 Report(ru)
  •  6' G. Makharadze
  •  14' Ivaniadze
 Referee: Jesus Montoro (Spain)
7 July 2019 Norway  1–5  Bulgaria
14:00
  • H. Salveson  8'
 Report(ru)
  •  1' Dzhambazov
  •  10' Martinov
  •  11', 20', 30' Filipov
 Referee: Jonathan Mallia (Malta)

Awards

The following were presented after the conclusion of the final day's matches. Individual awards apply to Division A only.[12]

Stage Winners trophy Top scorer(s) Best player Best goalkeeper
 Spain
(Division A)		 Georgia
(Division B)		 Dejan Stankovic8 goals Jordan Santos Dona

Stage 2 (Catania, 16–18 August)

Matches are listed as local time in Catania, CEST (UTC+2)

All matches took place at the Arena Beach Stadium on the "Spiaggia libera numero 1" (Free beach number 1) section of Playa di Catania (Catania Beach),[13] with a capacity of approximately 2,000.[14]

Finland made their EBSL debut during this stage.[1]

Division A
Key:   Group winners / (H) Hosts
Pos Team Pld W W+ WP L GF GA GD Pts
1 Italy (H) 32010139+47
2 Belarus 3200195+46
3 Germany 300121315–21
4 France 300031117–60
16 August 2019 Belarus  4–1  France
16:45
  • Samsonov  6', 13' (p)
  • Piatrouski  11'
  • Chaikouski  12'
 Report(ru)
  •  2' Fayos
16 August 2019 Germany  4–5  Italy
18:00
  • Körner  5'
  • Weirauch  18'
  • Biermann  20', 33'
 Report(ru)
  •  6' Ramacciotti
  •  12' Palmacci
  •  13' Marinai
  •  20', 21' Gori
17 August 2019 Belarus  3–2  Germany
17:00
  • Ryabko  16' (p)
  • Chaikouski  24'
  • Hapon  25'
 Report(ru)
  •  19' Weirauch
  •  26' (p) Metzler
17 August 2019 France  3–6  Italy
18:00
  • Bru  8', 34' (p)
  • Leblanc  20'
 Report(ru)
  •  8' Gori
  •  11', 17', 23' Palmacci
  •  18' Josep Jr
  •  19' Zurlo
18 August 2019 France  7–7 (a.e.t.)
(4–5 p)		  Germany
16:45 Bru  6', 8'
Soares  14'
Barbotti  18', 36'
Angeletti  24'
Dias  38'		 Report(ru)  2', 10', 14', 21', 33' Körner
 5', 39' Metzler
Penalties
  • Soares
  • Gosselin
  • Angeletti
  • Leblanc
  • Fayos
  • Dias
  • Barbotti
  • Bru
  • Ebener
  • Kniller
  • Höveler
  • Körner
  • Nowak
  • Metzler
  • Martinez
  • Weirauch
18 August 2019 Italy  2–2 (a.e.t.)
(3–2 p)		  Belarus
18:00
  • Palmacci  16'
  • Gori  27'
 Report(ru)
  •  12' Hapon
  •  22' Piatrouski
Penalties
  • Chiavaro
  • Gori
  • Zurlo
  • Savich
  • Samsonov
  • Chaikouski

Division B

Group 3
Key:   Group winners
Pos Team Pld W W+ WP L GF GA GD Pts
1 Hungary 32100148+68
2 Estonia 320011714+36
3 Lithuania 310021312+13
4 Moldova 30003616–100
16 August 2019 Moldova  5–6  Estonia
09:00 Report(ru)
16 August 2019 Lithuania  3–5  Hungary
12:45 Report(ru)
17 August 2019 Moldova  0–6  Lithuania
09:00 Report(ru)  3' Plytnikas
 6', 17' Lebedev
 7' Graiciunas
 31' (p), 36' Meskinis
17 August 2019 Hungary  5–4 (a.e.t.)  Estonia
12:45
  • Besenyei  25'
  • Fekete  30'
  • Turos  36', 39'
  • Rutai  38'
 Report(ru)
  •  2', 6', 37' Lepik
  •  2' (o.g.) Turos
18 August 2019 Estonia  7–4  Lithuania
09:00
  • Juha  8', 30'
  • Lukk  12', 15'
  • Stüf  13', 32'
  • Kigaste  24'
 Report(ru)
  •  6' Graiciunas
  •  10' Meskinis
  •  14', 20' Makutunovicius
18 August 2019 Hungary  4–1  Moldova
12:45 Fekete  17'
Besenyei  22'
Rutai  23'
Wirth  25'		 Report(ru)  28' (p) Ignat

Awards

The following were presented after the conclusion of the final day's matches. Individual awards apply to Division A only.[16]

Stage Winners trophy Top scorer(s) Best player Best goalkeeper
 Italy
(Division A)		 Greece
(Division B)		 Sven Körner6 goals Paolo Palmacci Valery Makarevich

League tables

At end of regular season

Ranking & tie-breaking criteria:
Division A – 1. Points earned 2. Highest group placement 3. Goal difference 4. Goals scored / Division B – 1. Highest group placement 2. Points earned 3. Goal difference 4. Goals scored 5. Least yellow cards

Promotion Final (Figueira da Foz, 5–8 September)

Matches are listed as local time in Figueira da Foz, WEST (UTC+1).

All matches took place at a purpose built stadium constructed between 12 August and 3 September at the Beach Sports Complex on Praia de Buarcos (Buarcos Beach), with a capacity of 2,500.[18]

The top seven teams from Division B and the team bottom of Division A, as per the end of regular season league tables, played in the Promotion Final; the winner earned a place in Division A in the 2020 season.[19]

Qualified teams

The teams in bold qualified as Division B regular season group winners; those in italics qualified as the three best group runners-up.

The team in green attempted to retain their position in Division A, having finished bottom of the regular season table.

Notes:
1. First appearance in Promotion Final
2. Bulgaria withdrew due to administrative issues on 2 September; they were replaced by the next best team in the Division B table, Estonia.[20]
3. First appearance as defending Division A team in Promotion Final


Group stage
Key: Advance to –   Final /   3rd place match /   5th place match /   7th place match

Seventh place play-off
Estonia 7–1 Georgia
Ivaniadze  1' (o.g.)
Lepik  8', 31'
Kigaste  12'
Makharadze  26' (o.g.)
Munskind  26'
Stüf  27'		 Report(ru)  33' Kokoladze
Referee: Lukasz Ostrowski (Poland)

Fifth place play-off
Czech Republic 2–4 Hungary
Stejskal  5'
Valeš  23'		 Report(ru)  10' Wirth
 16' Szasz
 34' Rutai
 36' Bartha
Referee: Vladimir Tashkov (Bulgaria)

Third place play-off
Romania 2–2 (a.e.t.) Greece
Florea  3'
Benciu  10'		 Report(ru)  3' Papastathopoulos
 18' Kafantaris
Penalties
  • Zaharia
  • Florea
2–0
  • Triantafyllidis
  • Kafantaris
Referee: Viktor Listratov (Russia)

Promotion play-off final
Azerbaijan 2–1 Kazakhstan
Manafov  6'
R. Aliyev  17'		 Report(ru)  34' Bogdanov
Referee: Francisco de Oses Bumedien (Spain)

Final standings

Azerbaijan won the event to successfully retain their Division A status for the 2020 EBSL season; this was the first time since the Promotion Final was introduced in 2009 that the defending Division A team successfully won the event in consecutive seasons (following Germany's successful defence of their top tier membership in 2018).

Consequently, no Division B team earned promotion to the top division and no Division A team was relegated this year.

Pos Team Outcome
1 AzerbaijanRetained spot in 2020 EBSL Division A
2 KazakhstanRemain in Division B
3 Romania
4 Greece
5 Hungary
6 Czech Republic
7 Estonia
8 Georgia

Superfinal (Figueira da Foz, 5–8 September)
Praia de Buarcos

Matches are listed as local time in Figueira da Foz, WEST (UTC+1).

All matches took place at a purpose built stadium constructed between 12 August and 3 September at the Beach Sports Complex on Praia de Buarcos (Buarcos Beach), with a capacity of 2,500.[18]

The winners of the Superfinal are crowned 2019 EBSL champions. No teams made their debut in the Superfinal, however Turkey made their first appearance in 17 years.

Qualified teams

The top eight teams from Division A, as per the end of regular season league table, qualified for the Superfinal.[19]

Group stage
Key: Advance to –   Final /   3rd place match /   5th place match /   7th place match / (H) Hosts

Seventh place play-off
Switzerland  7–9 Ukraine
Hodel  13', 35' (p)
Ott  17', 23'
Steinemann  18', 32' (p)
Mounoud  22'		 Report(ru)  7' Pachev
 8', 33', 35' Zborovskyi
 10' Voitok
 15' Makeiev
 18', 28' Voitenko
 35' Medvid

Fifth place play-off
Belarus 5–4 Turkey
Ryabko  2'
Hapon  5', 7'
Bokach  22'
Savich  36'		 Report(ru)  7', 9', 35' Keskin
 31' Bağcı
Referee: Francisco Henriques Costa (Portugal)

Third place play-off
Spain 4–1 Italy
Adrian  8'
Antonio  23', 34'
Chiky  36'		 Report(ru)  19' (o.g.) Ardil
Referee: Antonio Pereyra Almeida (Portugal)

Superfinal match
Russia 2–4 Portugal
 Report(ru)
  •  24' Leo Martins
  •  30' Rui Coimbra
  •  32' Belchior
  •  35' Bê Martins
Referee: Gionni Matticoli (Italy)

Winners trophy
 2019 Euro Beach Soccer League
Champions 

Portugal
Sixth title

Individual awards

Awarded for feats achieved in the Superfinal only[22]

Top scorer(s)
Emmanuele Zurlo
Cem Keskin
8 goals
Best player
Jordan Santos
Best goalkeeper
Maxim Chuzhkov

Final standings

Finalists Russia and Portugal faced each other for a record fourth time in an EBSL title-decider (no fixture has been played more in the Sueprfinal match), with Russia having won all three previous meetings (2009, 2013, 2017); both teams were aiming to win a record sixth EBSL title, surpassing the current five title record shared with Spain who first reached the milestone in 2006.

Pos Team Result
1 PortugalEBSL Champions (6th title)
2 RussiaRunners-up
3 SpainThird place
4 Italy
5 Belarus
6 Turkey
7 Ukraine
8  Switzerland

Season statistics (Division A)
Notes:
1.There are no awards presented for these season-encompassing scoring feats, the tables are for statistical purposes only. Scoring awards were bestowed per stage, with the primary award that which was presented in the Superfinal.
2.Regarding the recording of assists: The source of these assists stats does not explain what system was used to determine the awarding of an assist. The total no. of assists recorded is 233 but 298 goals were scored. The discrepancy of the source not recording an assist for every goal scored may be due to a system in use such as FIFAs assists system – (regardless of who made the final pass to the scorer, no assist is awarded when the scorer ultimately lays the goal on for him/herself via a dribble, solo run etc., scores after intercepting an opponent's pass etc.). However, since the system in use is not explained, note that assists may simply of gone undocumented.

Discipline

The following table lists the players and teams who received the most penalties for disciplinary infringements in both the regular and post season events.

Category Player(s) # Team(s) #
Most yellow cards
 Yasin Bagci 4  Turkey 14
Second yellow cards
 		 Ivan Kanstantsinau
Jakub Jesionowski
Pietro Palazzolo
Aleh Hapon		 1  Belarus 2
Straight red cards
 Roman Pachev
Mehmet Aslamaci
Anthony Fayos
Sandro Spaccarotella
Vitalii Sydorenko
Volkan Yesilirmak
Noël Ott		 1  Ukraine
  Switzerland
 Turkey		 2

Source

References
  1. "Euro Beach Soccer League 2019 is defined!". Beach Soccer Worldwide. 18 March 2019. Retrieved 23 March 2019.
  2. "The EBSL touches down in Nazaré". Beach Soccer Worldwide. 4 July 2019. Retrieved 4 July 2019.
  3. "Azerbaijan win Promotion Final to stay in Division A!". Beach Soccer Worldwide. 8 September 2019. Retrieved 8 September 2019.
  4. "Португальский песок России не помог. У нашей сборной - серебро Евролиги-2019". Beach Soccer Russia (in Russian). 8 September 2019. Retrieved 8 September 2019.
  5. "Portugal champions of Europe once more!". Beach Soccer Worldwide. 8 September 2019. Retrieved 8 September 2019.
  6. "Стали известны соперники сборной России на первом этапе Евролиги-2019". Beach Soccer Russia (in Russian). 19 March 2019. Retrieved 23 March 2019.
  7. "Лихачёв: планирую максимально ротировать состав сборной России на Евролигу". Beach Soccer Russia (in Russian). 19 March 2019. Retrieved 23 March 2019.
  8. "OVERALL WORLD RANKING - EUROPE". Beach Soccer Worldwide. 4 July 2019. Retrieved 4 July 2019.
  9. "Euro Beach Soccer League arranca na Nazaré" (in Portuguese). cm-nazare.pt. 1 July 2019. Retrieved 2 July 2019.
  10. "Сборная Грузии по пляжному футболу одержала первую победу в истории" (in Russian). Beach Soccer Russia. 5 July 2019. Retrieved 8 July 2019.
  11. ""Тратим на Кубок европейских чемпионов € 200 тыс., но деньги остаются в Назаре"" (in Russian). Beach Soccer Russia. 31 May 2018. Archived from the original on 28 June 2018. Retrieved 27 June 2018.
  12. "Portugal, Spain and Georgia top first EBSL regular stage groups of 2019". Beach Soccer Worldwide. 7 July 2019. Retrieved 8 July 2019.
  13. "Pronti a tifare gli AZZURRI del Beach Soccer?". Catania Beach Soccer. 15 August 2019. Retrieved 15 August 2019.
  14. "Arena Beach Stadium". Catania Beach Soccer. Retrieved 15 August 2019.
  15. "OFFICIAL ANNOUNCEMENT: Serbia will not participate at the EBSL Catania 2019". Beach Soccer Worldwide. 16 August 2019. Retrieved 16 August 2019.
  16. "Italy lift the trophy in Catania". Beach Soccer Worldwide. 18 August 2019. Retrieved 18 August 2019.
  17. "2019 Euroleague; Division B; Stage 2; Cards". Beach Soccer Russia. Retrieved 18 August 2019.
  18. "A Super Final do Europeu de Futebol de Praia 2019 está prestes a chegar à Praia de Buarcos". Figueira Beach Sports City (in Portuguese). 12 August 2019. Retrieved 31 August 2019.
  19. "Стали известны соперники сборной России по группе в Суперфинале Евролиги-2019". Beach Soccer Russia (in Russian). 25 August 2019. Retrieved 31 August 2019.
  20. "Estonia replace Bulgaria in the Promotion Final". Beach Soccer Worldwide. 2 September 2019. Retrieved 2 September 2019.
  21. "Определились финалисты Промофинала Евролиги". Beach Soccer Russia (in Russian). 7 September 2019. Retrieved 7 September 2019.
  22. "Стали известны обладатели индивидуальных наград по итогам Суперфинала Евролиги-2019". Beach Soccer Russia. 8 September 2019. Retrieved 8 September 2019.
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