2021 Euro Beach Soccer League

2021 Euro Beach Soccer League
Tournament details
Host countriesPortugal
Moldova
Dates17 June – 12 September
Teams24 (from 1 confederation)
Venue(s)4 (in 3 host cities)
Final positions
Champions Portugal (8th title)
Runners-up Belarus
Third place Italy
Fourth place Spain
Tournament statistics
Matches played76
Goals scored566 (7.45 per match)
2020
2022
2021 Euro Beach Soccer League is located in Europe
Stage 1, Nazaré
Stage 1, Nazaré
Stage 2, Chișinău
Stage 2,
Chișinău
Superfinal, Figueira da Foz
Superfinal, Figueira da Foz
Locations of the two stages and the Superfinal of the 2021 Euro Beach Soccer League

The 2021 Euro Beach Soccer League was the 24th season of the Euro Beach Soccer League (EBSL), 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.

After only Division A went ahead last season due to the COVID-19 pandemic, for the 2021 season, the competing teams returned to taking part in two divisions: the top tier (Division A) and the bottom tier (Division B). 12 teams contested Division A; all twelve teams returned from the 2019 season after only five participated in 2020 due to travel constraints caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.[1] Division B also accommodated 12 nations: those who did not gain promotion in 2019, Slovakia making their debut, and teams that returned after an absence from competing in recent years prior to 2020.

Due to continued effects of the COVID-19 pandemic in Europe, the season's format was altered considerably compared to the usual program.[1] A total of just two stages of fixtures were scheduled during the regular season. All 12 teams from Division A played together in just one stage (compared to the usual two) whilst each team in Division B also played together in one stage.

The eight best teams in Division A advanced to the post-season event, the Superfinal, to compete to become the winners of the EBSL. Meanwhile, the top seven teams in Division B 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 in 2022.

Estonia were promoted to Division A for the first time after beating Turkey to claim the Promotion Final title; the Turks, having finished last in Division A, failed to defend their place in the Promotion Final and were therefore relegated to Division B, ending their four-year run in the top tier. Portugal were the two-time defending champions and successfully defended the title, extending their record total to eight European crowns; by winning a third consecutive title, Portugal matched the feat only previously achieved by Spain between 1999 and 2001.[2] Belarus reached their first final, and became the first new nation to finish in the top four since Romania in 2011. Despite winning the 2021 World Cup just a fortnight prior, Russia failed to finish in the top four for the first time since 2006.

Calendar and locations[edit]

The calendar below was revealed on 13 April 2021.[3]

Phase Dates Country City Stage Divisions
Regular
season
17–19 June  Portugal Nazaré Stage 1 A
28 July – 1 August  Moldova Chișinău Stage 2 B
Post-season/
Finals
8–12 September  Portugal Figueira da Foz Superfinal A
Promotion Final B

Teams[edit]

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

The following teams entered the season, divided into two divisions, A and B, as shown (12 in Division A, 12 in Division B).[1][4]

The numbers in parentheses show the European ranking of each team prior to the start of the season, out of 34 nations.[5]

Division A[edit]

In 2020, teams from Division A who decided not to compete because of any concerns surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic were not penalised.[6] This season, BSWW declared teams would be penalised for not competing unless they could provide evidence of a legitimate reason in respect of the continued effects of the pandemic.[7] Ultimately, all teams did participate.

Division B[edit]

England did not compete for the first time since their debut in 2001, ending 19 consecutive years of participation; Sweden returned for the first time since 2004.

Notes:
1. Teams making their debut

Stage 1 (Nazaré, 17–19 June)[edit]

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

All matches took place at the Estádio do Viveiro – Jordan Santos on Praia de Nazaré (Nazaré Beach). Due to COVID-19 concerns, the matches were played behind closed doors.[8]

All teams from Division A competed; there were no Division B fixtures during this stage. It took place in tandem with the first group stage of the World Cup qualifiers for UEFA; the teams of Division A joined its second group stage immediately after the conclusion of this event. BSWW decided to organise the two events back-to-back in the same location involving all nations, in order to minimise travel in consideration of the continued effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.[9]

The best eight teams qualified for the Superfinal; the worst team was consigned to the Promotion Final.[10]

Key:   Qualified for the Superfinal /   Consigned to the Promotion Final / (H) Hosts

Group 1[edit]

Pos Team Pld W W+ WP L GF GA GD Pts
1  Portugal (H) 3 2 0 1 0 20 6 +14 7
2  Ukraine 3 0 1 1 1 9 8 +1 3
3  Germany 3 0 1 0 2 8 17 –9 2
4  Azerbaijan 3 0 0 0 3 9 15 –6 0
17 June 2021 Ukraine  3–2 (a.e.t.)  Germany
11:15 Zborovskiy 3', 34'
Pashko 39'
Report(ru) 16', 34' Metzler
17 June 2021 Azerbaijan  2–7  Portugal
12:45 Nazarov 13'
Allahguliyev 15'
Report(ru) 5', 18', 34' Léo Martins
9' Bê Martins
32' Torres
33' Belchior
34' (pen.) Coimbra

18 June 2021 Ukraine  3–3 (a.e.t.)
(5–4 p)
 Azerbaijan
11:15 Zborovskiy 5'
Voitenko 29', 34'
Report(ru) 11' Mammadov
14', 18' Allahguliyev
18 June 2021 Portugal  10–1  Germany
12:45 Belchior 2' (pen.), 31'
Bê Martins 3', 17', 18'
Brilhante 6'
Torres 29'
Mano 30'
Coimbra 32'
André Lourenço 36'
Report(ru) 36' Ebener

19 June 2021 Germany  5–4 (a.e.t.)  Azerbaijan
11:15
  • Svenson 8', 33'
  • Biermann 18'
  • Metzler 26' (pen.), 39'
Report(ru)
  • 16', 29' Amid
  • 19' Asif
  • 33' Sabir
19 June 2021 Portugal  3–3 (a.e.t.)
(4–2 p)
 Ukraine
12:45
  • Coimbra 24'
  • Léo Martins 29', 33'
Report(ru)
  • 4', 21' (pen.) Voitenko
  • 32' (o.g.) Brilhante
Penalties
  • Bê Martins soccer ball with check mark
  • Belchior soccer ball with check mark
  • Léo Martins soccer ball with check mark
  • Coimbra soccer ball with check mark
  • soccer ball with check mark Medvid
  • soccer ball with red X Voitok
  • soccer ball with red X Korniichuk
  • soccer ball with check mark Pashko

Group 2[edit]

Pos Team Pld W W+ WP L GF GA GD Pts
1  Italy 3 2 0 1 0 13 11 +2 7
2   Switzerland 3 2 0 0 1 18 17 +1 6
3  Poland 3 1 0 0 2 15 15 0 3
4  France 3 0 0 0 3 9 12 –3 0
17 June 2021 Italy  5–4  France
14:00 Gori 20', 31'
Giordani 25'
Zurlo 25'
Josep Jr. 29'
Report(ru) 2', 20' Huck
23', 29' Tremoulet
17 June 2021 Poland  9–10   Switzerland
18:15 Petrasyak 2', 5', 23', 33'
Brochowsky 4', 26'
Becker 12'
Bistula 14'
Gac 16'
Report(ru) 15', 24' Mounoud
22', 24', 33', 34', 36' Borer
28' Schirinzi
34', 36' Hodel

18 June 2021 Italy  2–2 (a.e.t.)
(5–3 p)
 Poland
14:00 Marinai 8'
Gori 24'
Report(ru) 21' Petrasyak
29' Becker
18 June 2021 Switzerland  3–2  France
18:15 Borer 5'
Stanković 29' (pen.)
Gosselin 30' (o.g.)
Report(ru) 5' Basquaise
11' Gosselin

19 June 2021 France  3–4  Poland
14:00
  • Barbotti 18' (pen.), 31'
  • Basquaise 33'
Report(ru)
  • 1', 35', 36' Pietrasiak
  • 24' Brochocki
19 June 2021 Switzerland  5–6  Italy
18:15
  • Monoud 2', 31'
  • Hodel 5'
  • Borer 8'
  • Wanji 20'
Report(ru)
  • 6', 10' Zurlo
  • 9', 20', 31', 31' Gori

Group 3[edit]

Pos Team Pld W W+ WP L GF GA GD Pts
1  Russia 3 2 1 0 0 16 9 +7 8
2  Spain 3 2 0 0 1 16 12 +4 6
3  Belarus 3 1 0 0 2 14 13 +1 3
4  Turkey 3 0 0 0 3 6 18 –12 0
17 June 2021 Spain  6–3  Belarus
15:30
  • J. Torres 17', 17', 35'
  • Riduan 22'
  • Llorenç 28'
  • P. Perez 28'
Report
  • 14' Kanstantsinau
  • 23' Piatrouski
  • 32' Novikau
17 June 2021 Turkey  1–5  Russia
19:30 Keskin 13' Report(ru) 1' Raskin
5', 36' Krasheninnikov
19' Nikonorov
20' Zemskov

18 June 2021 Spain  5–3  Turkey
15:30
  • Llorenç 6', 34'
  • J. Torres 31'
  • Domingo 33'
  • Chiky 36'
Report
  • 19' Yasin
  • 24', 36' Bariş
18 June 2021 Russia  5–3  Belarus
19:30 Makarov 13', 16'
Zemskov 14', 31'
Kosharnyi 22'
Report(ru) 16' Kanstatsinau
24' (pen.) Ryabko
34' Bokach

19 June 2021 Belarus  8–2  Turkey
15:30
  • Ryabko 9'
  • Chaikouski 10'
  • Hardzetski 11'
  • Kanstatsinau 16'
  • Mahaletski 17'
  • Novikau 17'
  • Bokach 24'
  • Piatrouski 30'
Report
  • 17' Semih
  • 27' Bariş
19 June 2021 Russia  6–5 (a.e.t.)  Spain
19:30
  • Zemskov 11'
  • Nikonorov 14'
  • Novikov 28', 33'
  • Makarov 34'
  • Romanov 38'
Report(ru)
  • 1' Juanmi
  • 7' P. Perez
  • 8' D. Ardil
  • 30' J. Torres
  • 34' Llorenç

Awards[edit]

The following were presented after the conclusion of the final day's matches.[10]

Stage Winners trophy Top scorer(s) Best player Best goalkeeper
 Russia Poland Patryk Pietrasiak 8 goals Switzerland Philipp Borer Portugal Elinton Andrade

Stage 2 (Chișinău, 28 July – 1 August)[edit]

Matches are listed as local time in Chișinău, EEST (UTC+3)

All matches took place at the FMF Beach Soccer Arena in La Izvor Park; the stadium had a capacity of 1,024,[11] however was limited to 50% in order to accommodate social distancing measures regarding the COVID-19 pandemic.[12]

There were no Division A fixtures during this stage, making this the first stage exclusive to Division B teams since 2007. Slovakia made their EBSL debut during this stage; Moldova hosted for the first time.

Group stage[edit]

Key: Advance to –   Semi-finals /   5th–8th place play-offs /   9th–11th place play-offs /   Withdrew / (H) Hosts

Group A[edit]

Pos Team Pld W W+ WP L GF GA GD Pts
1  Moldova (H) 2 2 0 0 0 9 1 +8 6
2  Bulgaria 2 1 0 0 1 9 9 0 3
3  Slovakia 2 0 0 0 2 6 14 –8 0
 Denmark[a] 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
  1. ^ Denmark's withdrawal was announced on 25 July, due to travel constraints caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.[13]
28 July 2021 Bulgaria  Cancelled  Denmark
14:30
28 July 2021 Slovakia  0–6  Moldova
18:30 Report
  • 9' Ignat
  • 15', 18' Cojocari
  • 33' Podlesnov
  • 33' Negara
  • 35' Gurjui
Referee: Eduards Borisevics (Latvia)

29 July 2021 Bulgaria  8–6  Slovakia
14:30
  • Filipov 1', 6', 20', 34'
  • Merazchiev 6', 20'
  • Lozanov 16'
  • Tuzakov 31'
Report
  • 1' Šmálik
  • 2' Kanyai
  • 2' Letko
  • 6', 28' Grey
  • 36' Lipovský
Referee: Ago Kärtmann (Estonia)
29 July 2021 Moldova  Cancelled  Denmark
18:30

30 July 2021 Denmark  Cancelled  Slovakia
14:30
30 July 2021 Moldova  3–1  Bulgaria
18:30
  • Cojocari 3'
  • Negara 13'
  • Graur 15'
Report
  • 21' Merazchiev
Referee: Ozcan Sultanoglu (Turkey)

Group B[edit]

Pos Team Pld W W+ WP L GF GA GD Pts
1  Kazakhstan 3 2 0 0 1 12 8 +4 6
2  Lithuania 3 2 0 0 1 9 7 +2 6
3  Greece 3 1 0 0 2 5 9 –4 3
4  Sweden 3 1 0 0 2 8 10 –2 3

Kazakhstan & Lithuania; Greece & Sweden are ranked based on their head-to-head results.

28 July 2021 Kazakhstan  4–3  Lithuania
13:15
  • Demeshko 2'
  • Makazhanov 11', 32'
  • Perevyortov 23'
Report
  • 8' Novičkov
  • 10' Navickas
  • 12' Levonauskas
Referee: Ago Kärtmann (Estonia)
28 July 2021 Sweden  1–4  Greece
17:15
  • Granberg 36'
Report
  • 6' Triantafyllidis
  • 18' Mikelatos
  • 33', 36' Katsoulis
Referee: Oleg Cebotari (Moldova)

29 July 2021 Kazakhstan  3–5  Sweden
13:15
  • Demeshko 18'
  • Perevyortov 25'
  • Yershin 26'
Report
  • 2' Turesson
  • 19' Granberg
  • 22' Malmström
  • 29' Lavah
  • 36' Kettler
Referee: Piotr Stoianov (Moldova)
29 July 2021 Greece  1–3  Lithuania
17:15
  • Triantafyllidis 34'
Report
  • 29' Giedraitis
  • 31', 34' Lebedev
Referee: Ozcan Sultanoglu (Turkey)

30 July 2021 Lithuania  3–2  Sweden
13:15
  • Meškinis 28'
  • Smolkovas 31'
  • Levonauskas 33'
Report
  • 5' Gustafsson
  • 24' Palmen
Referee: Roman Borisov (Russia)
30 July 2021 Greece  0–5  Kazakhstan
17:15 Report
  • 12', 31' Azhikenov
  • 23' Demeshko
  • 29' Yershin
  • 33' Perevyortov
Referee: Ago Kärtmann (Estonia)

Group C[edit]

Pos Team Pld W W+ WP L GF GA GD Pts
1  Estonia 3 3 0 0 0 17 6 +11 9
2  Czech Republic 3 2 0 0 1 13 7 +6 6
3  Romania 3 1 0 0 2 8 14 –6 3
4  Norway 3 0 0 0 3 3 14 –11 0
28 July 2021 Romania  3–8  Estonia
12:00
  • Alex 31'
  • Voica 32'
  • Andrescu 34'
Report
  • 12', 22', 26' Marmor
  • 13' Er. Stüf
  • 31' Sooaluste
  • 33' Alaväli
  • 34' Rahnik
  • 36' Nõmmiko
Referee: Vladimir Tashkov (Bulgaria)
28 July 2021 Norway  1–6  Czech Republic
16:00
  • Elverum 36'
Report
  • 19' Huráb
  • 22', 36' Valeš
  • 24' Jeřábek
  • 31', 34' Trampota
Referee: Laurynas Arzuolaitis (Lithuania)

29 July 2021 Romania  4–2  Norway
12:00
  • Boata 11'
  • Ravi 20'
  • Bolojan 23'
  • Alex 31'
Report
  • 14' Jalland
  • 30' Rasch
Referee: Cepoi Octavian (Moldova)
29 July 2021 Czech Republic  3–5  Estonia
16:00
  • Vyhnal 3'
  • Trampota 8', 26'
Report
  • 11' Ed. Stüf
  • 20' (o.g.) Petárek
  • 21' Marmor
  • 25' Er. Stüf
  • 33' Rahnik
Referee: Matthieu Dor (France)

30 July 2021 Estonia  4–0  Norway
12:00
  • Er. Stüf 18'
  • Palm 21'
  • Kotter 22'
  • Remmelgas 35'
Report Referee: Eduards Borisevics (Latvia)
30 July 2021 Czech Republic  4–1  Romania
16:00
  • Trampota 5', 25'
  • Valeš 26', 31'
Report
  • 26' Boata
Referee: Vladimir Tashkov (Bulgaria)

Final group stage ranking[edit]

Since Group A consisted of three teams, for the teams in first, second and third place in Groups B and C, their results against the teams finishing in fourth place in their groups were discounted for this ranking.

Ranking & tie-breaking criteria: 1. Group placement 2. Points earned 3. Goal difference 4. Goals for

Pos Team Pld W W+ WP L GF GA GD Pts Grp Qualification
1  Moldova (H) 2 2 0 0 0 9 1 +8 6 1A Semi-finals
2  Estonia 2 2 0 0 0 13 6 +7 6 1C
3  Kazakhstan 2 2 0 0 0 9 3 +6 6 1B
4  Czech Republic 2 1 0 0 1 7 6 +1 3 2C
5  Lithuania 2 1 0 0 1 6 5 +1 3 2B 5th–8th place play-offs
6  Bulgaria 2 1 0 0 1 9 9 0 3 2A
7  Greece 2 0 0 0 2 1 8 –7 0 3B
8  Slovakia 2 0 0 0 2 6 14 –8 0 3A
9  Romania 2 0 0 0 2 4 12 –8 0 3C 9th–11th place play-offs
10  Sweden 3 1 0 0 2 8 10 –2 3 4B
11  Norway 3 0 0 0 3 3 14 –11 0 4C

Semi-finals[edit]

31 July 2021 9th–11th place Sweden  3–2  Norway
11:00
  • Turesson 13', 23'
  • Granberg 35'
Report
  • 9' Jalland
  • 22' Elverum
Referee: Ago Kärtmann (Estonia)
31 July 2021 Romania  1–1 (a.e.t.)
(5–3 p)
 Norway
16:00
  • Voica 12'
Report
  • 16' Jalland
Referee: Oleg Cebotari (Moldova)
Penalties
  • Ravi soccer ball with check mark
  • Andreescu soccer ball with check mark
  • Boață soccer ball with check mark
  • Bolat soccer ball with check mark
  • Dumi soccer ball with check mark
  • soccer ball with check mark Jalland
  • soccer ball with check mark Elverum
  • soccer ball with red X Li
  • soccer ball with check mark Nielsen

31 July 2021 5th–8th place Bulgaria  0–3  Greece
13:15 Report
  • 27' Mikelatos
  • 28', 31' Gkritzalis
Referee: Cepoi Octavian (Moldova)
31 July 2021 Lithuania  0–6  Slovakia
14:30 Report
  • 11' Čarnogurský
  • 13' Letko
  • 24' Topor
  • 27', 29' Grey
  • 35' Hustý
Referee: Piotr Stoianov (Moldova)

31 July 2021 1st–4th place Estonia  1–0  Kazakhstan
17:15
Report Referee: Laurynas Arzuolaitis (Lithuania)
31 July 2021 Moldova  5–2  Czech Republic
18:30
  • Negara 7', 14', 15'
  • Podlesnov 18'
  • Cojocari 35'
Report
  • 7' Trampota
  • 33' Vyhnal
Referee: Ozcan Sultanoglu (Turkey)

Finals[edit]

1 August 2021 9th place match Sweden  0–1  Romania
13:15 Report
  • 26' Voica
Referee: Ozcan Sultanoglu (Turkey)

1 August 2021 7th place match Lithuania  6–1  Bulgaria
14:30
  • Novičkov 5'
  • Lebedev 9'
  • Levonauskas 11', 13'
  • Navickas 23'
  • Nedev 27' (o.g.)
Report
  • 34' Filipov
Referee: Matthieu Dor (France)

1 August 2021 5th place match Slovakia  2–7  Greece
16:00
  • Kanyai 13'
  • Hustý 23'
Report
  • 5', 7', 32' Katsoulis
  • 8' Mikelatos
  • 14', 36' Sofoulis
  • 35' Rizos
Referee: Vladimir Tashkov (Bulgaria)

1 August 2021 3rd place match Czech Republic  1–5  Kazakhstan
17:15
  • Valeš 20'
Report
  • 6' Demeshko
  • 14' Bogdanov
  • 15', 32' Azhikenov
  • 18' Kazybekov
Referee: Oleg Cebotari (Moldova)

1 August 2021 Stage final Moldova  4–1  Estonia
18:30
  • Ignat 6', 35'
  • Istrati 21'
  • Cojocari 23'
Report
  • 33' Ed. Stüf
Referee: Roman Borisov (Russia)

Final standings[edit]

Key:   Qualified for the Promotion Final
Pos Team
1  Moldova
2  Estonia
3  Kazakhstan
4  Czech Republic
5  Greece
6  Slovakia
7  Lithuania
8  Bulgaria
9  Romania
10  Sweden
11  Norway

Awards[edit]

The following were presented after the conclusion of the final day's matches.[14]

Stage Winners trophy Top scorer(s) Best player Best goalkeeper
 Moldova Czech Republic Lukáš Trampota 7 goals Moldova Andrei Negara Moldova Ruslan Istrati

Promotion Final (Figueira da Foz, 9–12 September)[edit]

The top seven teams from Division B and the team bottom of Division A played in the Promotion Final; the winner earned a place in Division A next season.

Qualified teams[edit]

The team in green attempted to retain their position in Division A, having finished as the worst team of Division A's regular season event.

Slovakia originally qualified, but withdrew "at the last minute" for undisclosed reasons; Sweden replaced them as lucky losers.[15]

Notes:
1. First appearance in Promotion Final

Group stage[edit]

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

Group 1[edit]

Pos Team Pld W W+ WP L GF GA GD Pts
1  Turkey 3 2 0 0 1 16 10 +6 6
2  Greece 3 2 0 0 1 14 13 +1 6
3  Kazakhstan 3 1 0 0 2 7 14 –7 3
4  Lithuania 3 1 0 0 2 8 8 0 3

Turkey & Greece; Kazakhstan & Lithuania are ranked based on their head-to-head results

9 September 2021 Kazakhstan  2–4  Greece Main stadium
09:15
  • Perevyortov 7'
  • Makagon 21'
Report
  • Katsoulis 4', 15', 36'
  • Triantafyllidis 23'
Referee: Fiammetta Susanna (Italy)
9 September 2021 Lithuania  3–0  Turkey Main stadium
10:30
  • Makutunovičius 26', 36'
  • Lebedev 29'
Report Referee: Csaba Baghy (Hungary)

10 September 2021 Kazakhstan  3–1  Lithuania Pitch 2
09:15
  • Chornyy 8'
  • Perevyortov 14', 35'
Report
  • Makutunovičius 2'
Referee: Torsten Guenther (Germany)
10 September 2021 Turkey  7–5  Greece Main stadium
10:30
  • Volkan 7'
  • Keskin 11', 30'
  • Efe 16'
  • Ömer 23'
  • Semih 27'
  • Bariş 36'
Report
  • Triantafyllidis 10', 29'
  • Mikelatos 28', 34', 35'
Referee: Wilson Castanheira (Portugal)

11 September 2021 Greece  5–4  Lithuania Main stadium
09:15
  • Katsoulis 11', 26', 26'
  • Nikolaou 27'
  • Triantafyllidis 33'
Report
  • Giedraitis 11'
  • Navickas 19', 22'
  • Makutunovičius 24'
Referee: Saverio Bottalico (Italy)
11 September 2021 Turkey  9–2  Kazakhstan Main stadium
10:30
  • Serkan 5'
  • S. Ahmet 7'
  • Bariş 10', 13', 26'
  • Keskin 18', 28'
  • Volkan 23'
  • Semih 34'
Report
  • Yershin 31'
  • Gulyy 33'
Referee: Lukasz Ostrowski (Poland)

Group 2[edit]

Pos Team Pld W W+ WP L GF GA GD Pts
1  Estonia 3 3 0 0 0 15 6 +9 9
2  Moldova 3 2 0 0 1 10 8 +2 6
3  Czech Republic 3 0 0 1 2 8 11 –3 1
4  Sweden 3 0 0 0 3 9 17 –8 0
9 September 2021 Sweden  3–5  Moldova Pitch 2
09:15
  • Kettler