Beach Soccer World Cup Quarter-Finals! Semi-Finals on the Way!

Well we have just finished the Quarter-Final stage and the hosts Italy made it out of their group but had their hearts broken by El Salvador. The Central/South American team barely defeated the Italians 5-6 in what was a fantastic game. The Salvadorans exhibited the talents that have been such an assest to them thus far and hopefully they will be able to continue! Russia continued their path of domination and destruction as they dealt Mexico quite a few hard blows in a 5-3 victory. Holding a team to just 3 goals is pretty impressive in beach soccer. In the other leg of games, Brazil were challenged by Nigeria in their match but ended up 2 ahead with a 10-8 scoreline. Portugal on the other hand were held 4-4 by a great Senegalese team who were unfortunate to lose 3-2 in the penalty shoot-out. The Semi-Finals will take place tomorrow as El Salvador hope to be giant-slayers against Russia while Portugal face their former colony: the mighty Brazil. Make sure to catch a game and enjoy!

Beach Soccer World Cup and Euro 2012 Qualifying.

First off I'd like to look at Italy where the  Beach Soccer World Cup continues apace. In Group A Iran were beaten by Switzerland in an intense 4-6 thriller. Senegal almost broke the hosts' hearts as they were level 4-4 by the end of regulation time. The Italians fought hard though and won the test of nerves that is the penalty shoot-out 3-2. Group B meanwhile witnessed immense clashes today as Portugal totally thrashed Argentina 5-0. Oman were edged 3-4 by El Salvador. Over in European qualifying, Scotland faced the Czech Republic today in Glasgow and were unpleasantly surprised. Kenny Miller gave the Scots the lead in the 45th so it was 1-0 at the half. Jaroslav Plasil equalized for the Czechs but Scotland's captain Darren Fletcher gave the home side the lead in the 82nd which delighted the fans. Then, in the 90th minute, a penalty was given to the Czech Republic. Michal Kadlec happily converted to give the Czech Republic a point in a game that the Scots really worked for.

Beach Soccer World Cup! 9/2/2011,

Group C and D have officially opened with Nigeria falling to the fierce Russians 4-8. Tahiti meanwhile have done themselves very nicely with a 5-2 victory over Venezuela. Group D had excitement of its own though with Japan edged by Mexico 2-3 while Brazil had a scare when Ukraine leveled with them 3-3. The South Americans were able to win on penalties though, 2-1.

European Championship 2012 qualifying.

Well in Group A Germany are the 1st team to qualify for the Finals after a 6-2 result against Austria! Turkey were able to edge Kazakhstan 2-1 in their match while Azerbaijan and Belgium tied 1-1. With this round of results in, Germany are through on the 7th game with 21 points. Turkey are currently in 2nd place with 13 points from 7 games. Belgium have amassed 12 points from 8 games while Austria have only played 6 games, earning 7 points. Azerbaijan are in 5th with 4 points from 7 games while the bottom of the table is occupied by Kazakhstan with 3 points from 1 win in 7 matches. In Group B Andorra were beaten 0-3 by Armenia while Russia got the vital goal in a 1-0 win over Macedonia. Last but not least came the Republic of Ireland's 0-0 draw with Slovakia. So with all teams having played 7 games, Group B is headed up by Russia who have 16 points while the Irish have 14 points and lead Slovakia on goal difference. Armenia are in 4th with 11 points while Macedonia and Andorra bring up the rear with 4 and 0 points respectively. Next up is Group C where the home sides all suffered. The Northern Irish were defeated 0-1 by Serbia. Slovenia were unlucky to be edged by Estonia 1-2. Lastly we had the Faroe Islands losing to Italy 0-1. In Group C Italy remain undefeated with 19 points from 7 games. Slovenia and Serbia are tied at 11 points but the Serbians have a game in hand having only played 7 games (compared to Slovenia's 8). Estonia aren't too far off the top with 10 points to their name while the Northern Irish have 9 points from 7 games. The Faroe Islands' 4 points from 9 games isn't too fantastic though. Group D is also pretty close with Belarus succumbing to the Bosnia and Herzegovians 0-2. Luxembourg lost to a solid Romania 0-2 while the Albanians were lightly beaten by the French 1-2. France actually leads the group with 16 points from 7 games while Bosnia and Herzegovina have 13 from 7. Belarus have 12 points from 8 games while Romania have 11 from 7.  Albania are in 5th place with 8 points from 7 matches. Last but not least is Luxembourg who have just 1 point from 8 games played! Meanwhile, in Group E the Netherlands have essentially qualified with 21 points from 7 matches. Sweden have 15 points from 7 games while Hungary have tied the Swedes after 8 games. Finland have 9 points from 7 while Moldova has 6. San Marino have played 8 and lost them all. Today, Finland beat Moldova 4-1 while Hungary were able to edge Sweden 2-1. The Dutch destroyed San Marino 11-0. Over in Group F leaders Greece defeated Israel 0-1. Croatia defeated Malta 1-3 while Georgia were edged 0-1 by Latvia. Right behind Greece is Croatia who have amassed 16 points from 7 games played. Israel occupy 3rd with 13 points from 8 games played. Georgia have 9 from 8 games, Latvia have 7 from 7 while Malta have nothing to show for their 7 games. Onwards to Group G! Here, the most teams have played is 6 games but 2 games did happen today! Bulgaria were beaten 0-3 by England while Wales dug deep to defeat Montenegro 2-1. So, the standings are thus situated: England on top with 14 points from 6 games while Montenegro have taken 11 points from 6 games. The Swiss have yet to play their 6th game but currently sit in 3rd with 5 points. Bulgaria are also at 5 points but they have played 6 games. Wales are at the bottom of the pile with 3 points from 5 games. Group H is led by Portugal who have claimed 13 points from 6 games. Norway are on level terms with them though separated by goal difference. Denmark have 10 points from 5 games while Cyprus and Iceland have 2 and 1 point respectively. Today Norway defeated their Icelandic rivals 1-0 while Portugal beat Cyprus 4-0. Finally, in Group I, Spain lead with a perfect record in 5 games. The Czech Republic are in 2nd with just 9 points from 5 matches. Lithuania have managed to take 3rd with 5 points from 6 games while Scotland still have 2 games in hand. They currently have 4 points from 4 matches. Liechtenstein bring up the rear with 4 from 6 games. Today Lithuania and Liechtenstein played out an uninteresting 90 minutes while tomorrow Scotland face the Czech Republic! Enjoy!

Nation in highlight: Uruguay.

Uruguay's national league is known as the Primera Division and takes place between August and May. 16 teams take part in the league with the current Champions being Nacional. Having won 43 titles (32 since the league became professional), Nacional (or Club Nacional de Football) is based in Montevideo. Of the clubs taking part in this year's competition, all but 1 are from Montevideo! Cerro Largo are the "outsiders" from Melo. When football in Uruguay was still at an amateur level, Nacional were the most successful club amassing 11 titles. CURCC/Penarol were the 2nd most successful with 9 titles. River Plate FC collected 4 while Montevideo collected 3. Rampla Juniors won 1. In the "Professional Era" of Uruguayan football, Penarol have actually been  the most successful collecting 37 titles since 1932 (46 in total). It was 54 seasons before a team  besides Penarol or Nacional won the title. Defensor were the ones to break this trend in 1976. The longest period of time since either Peñarol or Nacional won a title was between 1987 and 1991. In this time Defensor, Danubio, Progreso, Bella Vista, and Defensor Sporting together won five titles. Penarol also hail from Montevideo while Defensor (now Defensor Sporting after merging with Sporting Club Uruguay in 1989) also come from a portion of Montevideo. Danubio are also from Montevideo despite being founded by Bulgarian-born brothers in 1932. Progresso are (as far as I am aware) also a township of the Montevideo Metropolitan Area. Club Atletico Bella Vista are also based in Montevideo where they play at the Estadio Jose Nasazzi. Of the past 5 seasons, Danubio won in 2006-07, Defensor Sporting took the title in the 2007-08 season, Nacional won in 2008-09 while the 2009-10 season was claimed by Penarol. Nacional are the defending champions after winning the 2010-11 season. Defensor Sporting have taken 4 while Danubio have 3 trophies in their cabinet. Bella Vista, Central Espanol, and Progreso have each won 1 title apiece.

Fantastic Beach Soccer World Cup opening day! 9/1/2011.

Today was an absolutely thrilling day in Italy as the hosts met Iran in a Group A game that ended 6-6 in normal time! After a penalty shoot-out we had a winner though: Italy 5-4 over the talented Iranians! In the other match of the day for Group A Senegal and Switzerland struck goal after goal to make it 8-8 at the end of regulation time. Senegal won 1-0 in the shoot-out that followed. Meanwhile, Group B opened today as well with Argentina edging the Omani representatives 3-1 despite conceding the 1st goal. El Salvador on the other hand were given an absolute thrashing by Portugal. 11-2 was the final score with the Portuguese scoring at least 4 goals before any response was given. Keeping watching this intense sampling of football!

U-21 European Championship Qualifying.

So, 10 groups. In Group 1 the current leaders are the on form Germans who have won both of their 2 games. Cyprus are currently 2nd after winning 1 and losing the other of their 2 matches. Bosnia and Herzegovina hold 3rd on goal difference having won the single game they have played. Belarus are in 4th on goal difference as they have won 1 game of 1 played. Greece are in 5th after losing their opener while San Marino have played 3 games and lost them all putting them between a rock and a hard place. Next up we have Group 2 which is led by, wait for it, Slovenia! They have won 2 and lost 1 while 2nd place Finland are undefeated with a win and a draw. Malta have 1 of each: a win, a draw, and a loss! Sweden have played and won their 1 match while 5th-placed Ukraine have yet to open their qualifying campaign. Last but not least there is Lithuania who have yet to register a point from 3 games. Over in Group 3 Armenia, the Czech Republic, and Wales are all even on the top after 1 game with the Czechs having some advantage on goal difference. Montenegro have won 1 and lost 1 of their first 2 games while Andorra sit at the bottom of the pile having played and lost their first 3 matches. Group 4 has only just really started with Northern Ireland holding the top with a win and a draw.The Faroe Islands are in second with a draw and a loss. Serbia and Denmark have yet to begin their qualifying round with Macedonia in the same boat. Group 5 is unsurprisingly led by Spain with 1 win under their belt from 1 game. Georgia have won 1 and lost 1 putting them in 2nd. Switzerland and Estonia tied each other in their opener while Croatia are actually in 5th with 1 loss to their name. Group 6 is currently led by Portugal who defeated Moldova in the 1st and as of now only game of the group. Moldova thus sit at the bottom. Russia, Poland, and Albania have yet to open their accounts. The story is similar in Group 7 where only Turkey and Liechtenstein have played. The Turks won giving them poll position while Liechtenstein have a hole to get out of. Italy, Hungary, and the Republic of Ireland have yet to play here. In Group 8 Iceland are at the top after a 2-1 over Belgium. The Belgians are for this reason at the bottom while England, Norway, and Azerbaijan all can't wait to get started. Group 9 is led by Slovakia who defeated Latvia in the group opener. Thus, between theses 2 we have the likes of Romania, Kazakhstan, and France who will play some time soon. Last but certainly not least we have Group 10 which is led by Austria, on goal difference better than the Netherlands who hold 2nd. Scotland have yet to play while Bulgaria are in 4th and Luxembourg are in 5th after a 4-1 defeat at the hands of the Austrians. Stay tuned to this exciting contest!