News.The champions
Russia achieved their objectives by qualifying for Portugal 2015 and winning a title that eluded them in '09 and again in 2013, when they lost both finals to Spain. Tactical discipline and physical strength were the keys to the Russians’ triumph, simple fact they scored only 28 goals – budget friendly tally from the four qualifiers – they did enough to win all their games in normal time, something beyond the reach of Switzerland, Italy and Spain.
The Russians also kept two clean sheets in conceding merely 13 goals, a figure almost unusual as of this level. Even though they still did not win any kind of their games by in excess of three goals, only Belarus inside the first group phase, Germany inside second and semi-final opponents Italy was able to push them hard, though they almost let slip a 4-0 lead resistant to the Swiss inside the final, eventually used up 6-5 winners.
Additional qualifiers
Needless to say, the champions is going to be joined in Portugal by Switzerland. Absent from Tahiti 2013, this year's world finals runners-up owe their come back to the big stage with their attacking power, top-scoring inside the preliminaries with 53 goals. Despite posting big wins over Slovakia and France within the opening group phase and England within the second, the Swiss had to search hard to succeed in a final. Their toughest test were only available in the semis against Spain, a game title they won 5-4 in more time after conceding a late equaliser in normal time. Their eventual second place was the most beautiful ever performance within the qualifiers, eclipsing the next they achieved in the preliminaries for that 2009 finals.
The last place on the podium was taken by Italy, another side who missed out on Tahiti 2013. For La Azzurra qualification went a way to atoning for their last-16 exit to unfancied El Salvador when hosting the earth finals at Ravenna 2011. The Italians found themselves being forced on several occasions, specifically in the 2nd group phase, needing penalties to conquer Poland and scoring twice late through to down Belarus 4-2 and clinch their place at Portugal 2014. Though beaten 5-3 because of the Russians inside semis, the hosts have every reason to get happy with their efforts even though their goal difference of +13 was budget friendly on the four qualifiers, behind Russia’s +15, Spain’s +21 and Switzerland’s +30.
Runners-approximately Russia at Tahiti 2013, Spain were required to ask almost all their individual strengths to secure their ticket to Portugal. Buoyed by their Euro Beach Soccer Cup win 2-3 weeks ago, La Roja eased through the first group phase before edging out France inside a nine-goal thriller, an important win that preceded a heart-stopping duel with Ukraine, who almost knocked the Spanish out in normal time and then on penalties. The men in red held firm, however, to win the shootout 4-3 from thrilling 6-6 draw. Though they forced additional time right at the end of one other tense tussle with all the Swiss inside semis, they eventually went down 5-4. Tired by their previous exertions, the Spanish conceded twice during the last minute in losing the match for third spot to the Italians.
Wednesday, September 17, 2014