2017 Euro Beach Soccer League Explained

Tourney Name:Euro Beach Soccer League
Year:2017
Dates:23 June – 17 September
Num Teams:27
Confederations:1
Country:Serbia
Country2:Portugal
Country3:Russia
Country4:Hungary
Country5:Germany
Country6:Italy
Venues:6
Cities:6
Count:5
Matches:89
Goals:727
Prevseason:2016
Nextseason:2018

The 2017 Euro Beach Soccer League (EBSL) was the 20th edition of the annual, premier European competition in beach soccer contested between men's national teams, in a league and play-off format.

This season teams continued to take part in two divisions, the top tier (Division A) and the bottom tier (Division B). Twelve teams continued to contest Division A as in recent seasons, consisting of the top eleven finishers from last year plus Azerbaijan who were promoted to the top tier. Division B was expanded to accommodate fifteen nations; the thirteen nations which did not gain promotion from last season, Lithuania who made their debut, plus Romania who were relegated from the top tier. No nations returned to the tournament after an absence from competing in recent years.

This season, in recognition of the 20th anniversary of the competition, additional matches were scheduled for a total of five stages of fixtures during the regular season. Each team from Division A played in two stages whilst each team from Division B played in one stage. During each stage the participating nations earned points for the overall league tables.

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

Turkey were promoted to Division A after beating Estonia to claim the Promotion Final title. This sees Turkey return to the top flight for the first time since they were relegated from Division A in 2011. Greece finished last in Division A and failed to defend their place in the Promotion Final and were therefore subsequently relegated to Division B, ending their four-year run in the top tier.

Russia won the league after a strong performance in the Superfinal, claiming their fifth EBSL crown to tie for first with Spain and Portugal with the most titles in EBSL history. Defending champions Ukraine were knocked out of title-winning contention in the group stage of the Superfinal, ultimately finishing seventh in the post-season event.

Calendar and locations

DatesCountryCityStage
23–25 June Stage 1
7–9 July Stage 2
28–30 July Stage 3
11–13 August Stage 4
25–27 August Stage 5
14–17 SeptemberSuperfinal and Promotion Final

Teams

The following teams have entered this season, in the following divisions (12 in Division A, 15 in Division B).[1]

The numbers in brackets show the European ranking of each team prior to the start of the season, out of 36 nations.[2]

Division A

Division B

Notes:

1. Promoted from Division B at the end of the 2016 season

2. Relegated from Division A at the end of the 2016 season

3. Teams making their debut

Stage 1 (Belgrade, 23–25 June)

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

All matches took place at the National Beach Soccer Stadium at Ada Ciganlija, with a capacity of 2,500.[3]

Division A

TeamNotes
132001109+16Group Winners
2311011311+25
33100269–33
431002101003

Division B

TeamNotes
1320011412+26Group Winners
2301111517–23
3310021312+13
4310021112–13
Serbia, Norway and Czech Republic are ranked accordingly based on their three-way head-to-head results

Awards

The following were presented after the conclusion of final day's matches. Individual awards apply to Division A only.[4]

Stage Winners trophyTop scorer(s)width=200Best playerwidth=200Best goalkeeper

(Division A)

(Division B)
Llorenc Gomez
Anthony Barbotti
4 goals Llorenc Gomez Lorenzo Dupin

Stage 2 (Nazaré, 7–9 July)

Stage 2 was originally scheduled to take place in Sanxenxo, Spain[5] but on 1 June, BSWW announced the stage was to be moved due to administrative issues, with Nazaré becoming the new host city due to having successfully hosted the 2017 Euro Winners Cup events, as well as being in close geographical proximity to the original hosts, Sanxenxo.[6]

There were no Division B fixtures during this stage.

Division A

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

All matches took place at the Estádio do Viveiro at the Praia de Nazaré, in tandem with the hosting of the 2017 Women's Euro Beach Soccer Cup. The arena has a capacity of 1,600.[7]

Group 1

TeamNotes
132001167+96Group Winners
2320011312+16
33101198+14
430003718–110

Group 2

TeamNotes
1321002516+98Group Winners
2320011510+56
331002612–63
430003816–80

Awards

The following were presented after the conclusion of the final day's matches.[8]

width=150Stage Winners trophyTop scorer(s)width=200Best playerwidth=200Best goalkeeper
7 goals Elinton Andrade

Stage 3 (Moscow, 28–30 July)

Matches are listed as local time in Moscow, MSK (UTC+3)

All matches took place at Yantar Beach Soccer Stadium in the district of Strogino,[9] with a capacity of 2,500 seats.[10]

Division A

TeamNotes
133000196+139Group Winners
232001139+46
331002161603
430003320–170

Division B

TeamNotes
12200084+46Group Winners
2210015503
32000259–40

Awards

The following were presented after the conclusion of final day's matches. Individual awards apply to Division A only.[11]

Stage Winners trophyTop scorer(s)width=200Best playerwidth=200Best goalkeeper

(Division A)

(Division B)
Ihar Bryshtel 6 goals Maxim Chuzhkov

Stage 4 (Siófok, 11–13 August)

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

All matches took place at the Mlsz Beach Aréna at Nagystrand,[12] with a capacity of 1,500.[13]

Division A

TeamNotes
132010157+87Group Winners
232001114+76
331002813–53
430003818–100

Division B

TeamNotes
133000376+319Group Winners
2320012113+86
3310022029–93
430003535–300

Awards

The following were presented after the conclusion of final day's matches. Individual awards apply to Division A only.[14]

Stage Winners trophyTop scorer(s)width=200Best playerwidth=200Best goalkeeper

(Division A)

(Division B)
Pawel Friszkemut
Sabir Allahguliyev
Ihar Bryshtel
4 goals Valery Makarevich

Stage 5 (Warnemünde, 25–27 August)

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

All matches took place at the purpose built DFB Beachsoccer Arena,[15] at the site of the Sport & Beach Arena on Warnemünde Beach,[16] with a capacity of 1,500 seats.[17]

Division A

TeamNotes
13210096+38Group Winners
232001108+26
33100287+13
430003410–60

Division B

TeamNotes
1330002210+129Group Winners
2320011312+16
3310021215–33
4300031121–100

Awards

The following were presented after the conclusion of final day's matches. Individual awards apply to Division A only.[18]

Stage Winners trophyTop scorer(s)width=175Best playerwidth=175Best goalkeeper

(Division A)

(Division B)
Michele Di Palma
Maksym Voitok
Amid Nazarov
Sascha Weirauch
3 goals Roman Pachev Toni Muller

League tables

At stage completion

Ranking & tie-breaking criteria: Division A – 1. Points earned 2. Goal difference 3. Goals scored | Division B – 1. Highest group placement 2. Points earned 3. Goal difference 4. Goals scored 5. Results against 4th place team

Division A

TeamNotes
1641104023+1715Advance to
Superfinal
2641012218+414
3640022413+1112
4640022616+1012
5640022515+1012
6630033126+59
7630031620–49
8620131721–47
9611042127–65
10610051420–63
11610051625–93
12600061038–280Promotion Final

Division B

height=40 width="20"TeamNotes
1 (Q) 22000235+186Advance to
Promotion Final
2 (Q) 22000156+96
3 (Q) 22000117+46
4 (Q) 2200084+46
5 (q) 210011312+13
6 (q) 210015503
7 (q) 2100158–33
8200111013–31
920002910–10
102000259–40
1120002612–60
1220002726–190
13310021112–13
14300031121–100
1530003535–300
Note: Since one group in Division B consisted of just three teams, for the teams who finished in 1st, 2nd or 3rd in a group of four, their results against the 4th placed team in their groups have been discounted.[19] Team group placement: 1st place / 2nd place / 3rd place / 4th place

(Q) – Qualified to Promotion Final as group winner
(q) – Qualified Promotion Final as best group runners-up

Promotion Final (Terracina, 14–17 September)

Qualified teams

The teams in bold have qualified as group winners. The team in italics will attempt to retain their position in Division A, having finished bottom of the table.

Group stage

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

All matches took place at the Beach Arena "Carlo Guarnieri", at Spiaggia di Levante[20] with a capacity of around 2,500.[21]

Group 1

TeamNotes
133000115+69Advance to final
232001139+46
33100289–13
430003716–90

Group 2

TeamNotes
132100138+58Advance to final
2320011813+56
3310021012–23
430003715–80

Play-off stage

Promotion play-off final

Final standings

TeamQualification
1Promoted to 2018 EBSL Division A
2Remain in Division B
3
4Relegated to 2018 EBSL Division B
5Remain in Division B
6
7
8

Italics: team from Division A

Superfinal (Terracina, 14–17 September)

Qualified teams

The top eight teams from Division A, as per the league table, qualified for the Superfinal.

Group stage

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

All matches took place at the Beach Arena "Carlo Guarnieri", at Spiaggia di Levante[20] with a capacity of around 2,500.[21]

Group 1

TeamNotes
1330001814+49Advance to final
2320011811+76
3310021721–43
4300031522–70

Group 2

TeamNotes
133000126+69Advance to final
2320011913+66
331002810–23
430003717–100

Play-off stage

Superfinal match

Awards

Individual awards

Awarded for feats achieved in the Superfinal only[22]

width=300Top scorer
Noel Ott
9 goals
Best player
Artur Paporotnyi
Best goalkeeper
Maxim Chuzhkov

Final standings

TeamNotes
1Champions
2Runners-up
3Third place
4
5
6
7
8

Season statistics

Top scorers

The following tables list the top 10 scorers in each division including goals scored in both the regular and post season events. Note there is no award 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.

Division A

width=45Rankwidth=200Playerwidth=30Pldwidth=65Goals
1 10 18
2 9 15
3 Léo Martins 10 14
Ihar Bryshtel 10
5 9 11
10
7 10 9
Salvador Ardil "Chiky" 10
10
10 7 8
Boris Nikonorov 8
Ivan Glutskyi 10
Antonio Mayor 10
Eduard Suárez 10

Division B

width=45Rankwidth=200Playerwidth=30Pldwidth=65Goals
1 Aaron Clarke 7 15
2 Filip Filipov 7 12
3 Viktor Túrós7 9
Ferenc Besenyei 7
Viktor Fekete 7
7
7 Cem Keskin 6 8
8 Jake Younie 7 7
9 Casper Dorph Jørgensen 3 6
Henrik Rædkjær 3
Jørn-Andre Lygre Jacobsen 3
Kornel Genczler 5
Ionut Florea 7
Balazs Rutai 7

Assists

The following tables list the top five assistants in each division including assists provided in both the regular and post season events.

Division A

width=45Rankwidth=200Playerwidth=30Pldwidth=65Assists
1 Dejan Stanković 10 7
2 Eduard Suárez 10 6
10
4 Michael Misev 8 5
9
10
Valery Makarevich 10
10

Division B

width=45Rankwidth=200Playerwidth=30Pldwidth=65Assists
1 Ivan Todorov 7 5
2 Gabriel Dobre 3 3
Klaus Ryding 3
Bogdan Ciocanel 6
Viktor Fekete 7
Source

Note: The source of these assists stats does not explain what system was used to determine the award of an assist. The total no. of assists recorded is 270 but 727 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 each division in both the regular and post season events.

Categorywidth=30Div.width=200 colspan=2Player(s)width=30width=150Team(s)width=30
Most yellow cards A Dejan Stanković
Konrad Kubiak
Gabriele Gori
418
B Nikola Valentić
Vojislav Trajkovic
Ragnar Rump
Pavel Adamov
Martin Velikov
Stanislav Dzhambazov
Richard Patocs
Filip Filipov
Bogdan Ciocanel
Victor Iordachi
Semíh Türkmen
Gabriel Dobre
Kaloyan Tsvetkov
Viktor Bartosevic
213
height=2 colspan=9
Second yellow cards A Bruno Torres
Anton Shkarin
1
1
B Dan Storm11
height=2 colspan=9
Straight red cards A Tobias Steinemann11
B Erkan Anzafioglu
Aivaras Meškinis
Taylor Humm
Leonid Podlesnov
1


1
Source

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: MEN'S BEACH SOCCER - FIXTURES. theroonba.com. 30 May 2017.
  2. Web site: OVERALL WORLD RANKING . beachsoccer.com . 8 June 2017 . 8 June 2017 . bot: unknown . https://web.archive.org/web/20170608011017/http://beachsoccer.com/ranking/overall . 8 June 2017 .
  3. News: Stadion . Beach Soccer Serbia . 21 June 2017 . Serbian.
  4. News: Spain down Russia to earn Belgrade silverware . beachsoccer.com . 25 June 2017 . 26 June 2017.
  5. Web site: The Euro Beach Soccer League - bigger and better than ever! . beachsoccer.com . 27 March 2017 . 1 June 2017.
  6. Web site: Euro Beach Soccer League and Women's Euro Beach Soccer Cup move to Nazaré . beachsoccer.com . 1 June 2017 . 1 June 2017.
  7. Web site: CHAMPIONS' É ESPETÁCULO GARANTIDO . record.pt . 26 May 2017 . 28 June 2017 . Portuguese .
  8. News: Convincing Portugal wrap up Nazare success . beachsoccer.com . 9 July 2017 . 10 July 2017.
  9. Note the stadium is also referred to as "Amber Beach Sports Stadium".Web site: ЕВРОЛИГА. ДИВИЗИОН А. ТРЕТИЙ ЭТАП . beachsoccerrussia.ru . 17 July 2017 . Russian .
  10. Web site: Реконструкция стадиона "Янтарь" в Строгино. . vk.com . 11 February 2016 . 17 July 2017 . Russian .
  11. News: Russia lift Moscow title after Swiss thriller . beachsoccer.com . 30 July 2017 . 30 July 2017.
  12. Web site: https://www.facebook.com/events/115781622385996/?acontext=%7B%22source%22%3A5%2C%22page_id_source%22%3A310828214676%2C%22action_history%22%3A[%7B%22surface%22%3A%22page%22%2C%22mechanism%22%3A%22main_list%22%2C%22extra_data%22%3A%22%7B%5C%22page_id%5C%22%3A310828214676%2C%5C%22tour_id%5C%22%3Anull%7D%22%7D%2C%22has_source%22%3Atrue%7D EBSL Siófok ]. Hungary Beach Soccer – Facebook . 26 July 2017 .
  13. Web site: 2017 CEV Beach Volleyball Satellite Siófok . evensi.com . 26 July 2017 .
  14. News: Portugal, Hungary taste Siofok success . beachsoccer.com . 13 August 2017 . 13 August 2017.
  15. Web site: BEACHSOCCER-DM: STRAND, MEER UND TOLLE TORE . dfb.de . 19 August 2017 . 20 August 2017 . German .
  16. Web site: Sport & Beach Arena . Warnemuender Woche . July 2017 . 20 August 2017 . German .
  17. Web site: Highlights der Strandfußball-Saison in Warnemünde . rostock-heute.de . 17 August 2017 . 20 August 2017 . German .
  18. News: Ukraine claim Warnemünde title . beachsoccer.com . 27 August 2017 . 27 August 2017.
  19. News: Euro Beach Soccer League standings updated . Beach Soccer Worldwide . 9 August 2018 . 10 August 2018.
  20. Web site: Beach Soccer: a Terracina le finali dell'Europeo . perteonline.it . 7 September 2017 . 12 September 2017 .
  21. Note that the capacity figure is as of 2014.Web site: riveDitraianoSport Beach Soccer. Rive Di Traiano . 12 September 2017 .
  22. Web site: Impressive Russia see off Portugal to land Euro title. beachsoccer.com . 17 September 2017 . 18 September 2017 .