# 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.
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. 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; 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. Portugal, on home sand, came from 2–0 down to win the match and claim their sixth EBSL crown.

## Calendar and locations

The calendar below was revealed on 18 March 2019.
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, including Division A teams competing in just one stage each, compared to the usual two stages.
| Phase | Dates | Country | City | Stage | Divisions | Divisions |
| Regular season | 5–7 July | Portugal | Nazaré | Stage 1 | A | B |
| Regular season | 16–18 August | Italy | Catania | Stage 2 | A | B |
| Post-season/ Finals | 5–8 September | Portugal | Figueira da Foz | Superfinal | A | |
| Post-season/ Finals | 5–8 September | Portugal | Figueira da Foz | Promotion Final | | B |

## Teams

The following 28 teams entered this season, divided into divisions A and B as shown (12 in Division A, 16 in Division B).
The numbers in parentheses show the European ranking of each team prior to the start of the season, out of 36 nations.

### Division B

    1. Teams making their debut

## Stage 1 (Nazaré, 5–7 July)

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), in tandem with the hosting of the 2019 Women's Euro Beach Soccer Cup. The area has a capacity of 2,200.
During this round, Georgia won their first ever matches in the EBSL, 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.

### Division B

| Key: | Group winners |
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | W+ | WP | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
| 1 | Georgia | 3 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 12 | 10 | +2 | 6 |
| 2 | Bulgaria | 3 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 12 | 8 | +4 | 6 |
| 3 | Norway | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 8 | 12 | –4 | 3 |
| 4 | Denmark | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 8 | 10 | –2 | 3 |
Norway  v  Denmark
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)
Georgia  v  Bulgaria
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)
Norway  v  Georgia
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)
Bulgaria  v  Denmark
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)
Denmark  v  Georgia
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)
Norway  v  Bulgaria
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.
| Stage Winners trophy | Stage Winners trophy | Top scorer(s) | Top scorer(s) | Best player | Best goalkeeper |
| Spain (Division A) | Georgia (Division B) | Dejan Stankovic | 8 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), with a capacity of approximately 2,000.
Finland made their EBSL debut during this stage.

### Division A

| Key: | Group winners / | (H) | Hosts |
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | W+ | WP | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
| 1 | Italy (H) | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 13 | 9 | +4 | 7 |
| 2 | Belarus | 3 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 9 | 5 | +4 | 6 |
| 3 | Germany | 3 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 13 | 15 | –2 | 1 |
| 4 | France | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 11 | 17 | –6 | 0 |
Belarus  v  France
16 August 2019 Belarus  4–1  France 16:45
Samsonov 6', 13' (p)
Piatrouski 11'
Chaikouski 12'
Report(ru)
2' Fayos
Germany  v  Italy
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
Belarus  v  Germany
17 August 2019 Belarus  3–2  Germany 17:00
Ryabko 16' (p)
Chaikouski 24'
Hapon 25'
Report(ru)
19' Weirauch
26' (p) Metzler
France  v  Italy
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
France  v  Germany
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
Italy  v  Belarus
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 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 14 | 8 | +6 | 8 |
| 2 | Estonia | 3 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 17 | 14 | +3 | 6 |
| 3 | Lithuania | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 13 | 12 | +1 | 3 |
| 4 | Moldova | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 6 | 16 | –10 | 0 |
Moldova  v  Estonia
16 August 2019 Moldova  5–6  Estonia 09:00
Report(ru)
Lithuania  v  Hungary
16 August 2019 Lithuania  3–5  Hungary 12:45
Report(ru)
Moldova  v  Lithuania
17 August 2019 Moldova  0–6  Lithuania 09:00
Report(ru)
3' Plytnikas 6', 17' Lebedev 7' Graiciunas 31' (p), 36' Meskinis
Hungary  v  Estonia
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
Estonia  v  Lithuania
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
Hungary  v  Moldova
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.
| Stage Winners trophy | Stage Winners trophy | Top scorer(s) | Top scorer(s) | Best player | Best goalkeeper |
| Italy (Division A) | Greece (Division B) | Sven Körner | 6 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.
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.

### 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.
    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.
    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 |

### 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 | Azerbaijan | Retained spot in 2020 EBSL Division A |
| 2 | Kazakhstan | Remain in Division B |
| 3 | Romania | Remain in Division B |
| 4 | Greece | Remain in Division B |
| 5 | Hungary | Remain in Division B |
| 6 | Czech Republic | Remain in Division B |
| 7 | Estonia | Remain in Division B |
| 8 | Georgia | Remain in Division B |

## Superfinal (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.
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.

### Group stage

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

### Awards
#### Winners trophy

* 2019 Euro Beach Soccer League champions
* Portugal Sixth title

#### Individual awards

Awarded for feats achieved in the Superfinal only
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 | Portugal | EBSL Champions (6th title) |
| 2 | Russia | Runners-up |
| 3 | Spain | Third place |
| 4 | Italy | |
| 5 | Belarus | |
| 6 | Turkey | |
| 7 | Ukraine | |
| 8 | Switzerland | |

## Season statistics (Division A)
### 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