It was a disappointing Sunday in Viareggio. After Feudi’s side had fallen short in the women’s final, Italy’s men’s beach soccer team were also beaten by Spain in the European decider, with La Roja running out 5-2 winners at the ‘Matteo Valenti’. The Azzurri therefore ended the tournament with two silver medals. The defeats inevitably brought disappointment, but they also highlighted the strength of Italian beach soccer. The women’s team returned to a European final for the first time in four years, while the men contested the gold-medal match for the fourth consecutive season. This time, however, Spain proved too strong and reclaimed a European title they had not won for 20 years. After the match, Head of Delegation Ferdinando Arcopinto said: “I want to applaud the women’s team. This new group had played only ten international matches together, yet they produced an outstanding tournament. They performed like champions and deserved to win. The men’s team reached a fourth consecutive European final, which is an achievement that should not be taken for granted. Today, though, we probably did not manage to show our true level in the final.”

THE MATCH. Without the suspended Giordani and with the injured Andriani only fit enough for a place on the bench, the Azzurri started with Casapieri in goal, behind Josep, Bertacca, Sciacca and Fazzini. Italy were hit by an early setback as Spain scored with their first effort on target, Jose Oliver finding the far corner with a precise diagonal strike. The response was immediate: Bertacca saw an effort kept out on the line by Pablo with help from the post, before Alla and Genovali both went close to restoring parity. The final was played at a high tempo, with every ball fiercely contested, but Sciacca and his team-mates initially struggled to find a way through Spain’s compact defence. Italy needed a spark, and Josep Jr provided it. He won possession, drove forward on the break and unleashed a superb right-footed finish into the top corner, leaving Pablo with no chance. In the 10’, the final was level once more.

SECOND PERIOD. Italy went close to taking the lead early in the second period, when Sciacca’s lay-off found Josep in a dangerous position, but he failed to connect cleanly with his finish. In the 3’, another incisive Azzurri move saw Suli Batis bring Josep down inside the area and Tashkov immediately pointed to the spot. Bertacca made no mistake from the penalty, completing the turnaround and putting Italy 2-1 ahead. The Azzurri were now playing with confidence, dictating the tempo in possession and almost adding a third when Casapieri’s long-range effort crashed against the crossbar with Pablo beaten.Spain, however, hit back in the 6’. Brian produced a superb overhead kick tow

THIRD PERIOD. With 12’ remaining, the final was still finely poised. Italy made the brighter start and, after a minute and a half, Bertacca came within inches of restoring the lead. He met a corner with a well-timed header, but Pablo managed to divert the ball onto the inside of the post. Clear-cut chances remained at a premium, with both defences staying compact and giving very little away. It took something special to break the deadlock, and Brian provided it. From an almost impossible angle, he produced a spectacular scissor kick that left Casapieri with no chance, putting Spain 3-2 ahead with just under 6’ remaining. It was a heavy blow for the Azzurri, and moments later Ramy struck with another superb acrobatic finish to give La Roja a two-goal cushion. Trailing 4-2 with 5’ to play, Italy threw themselves forward with determination, driven more by heart than fluency. With 2’ remaining, Del Duca made his final roll of the dice by deploying Josep as a flying goalkeeper. Instead, it was Spain who found the net, Jose Oliver scoring his second of the game to end Italy’s hopes.

SPAIN 5-2 ITALY (1st period 1-1; 2nd period 1-1)

Spain: Pablo, Jose Oliver, Ardil, Ramy, Chiky. Subs: Gatica, Suli Batis, Kuman, Juanmi, Brian, Luisito, Cassano, Joselito, Camacho. Coach: Mendez Lacarcel

Italy: Casapieri, Josep Jr, Bertacca, Sciacca, Fazzini. Subs: Shalabi, Genovali, Alla, Sannibale, Barbagallo, Andriani, Sassari, Reggio. Coach: Del Duca

Goals: 1’ 1st Jose Oliver (S), 10’ Josep Jr (I); 3’ 2nd Bertacca pen. (I), 6’ Ramy (S); 6’ 3rd Brian (S), 7’ Ramy (S), 10’ Jose Oliver (S)

Referees: Tashkov (Bulgaria), Gomolko (Lithuania), Unterbeck (Germany), Dor (France); Timekeeper: Gomes Soares (Portugal)

Notes: Booked: Suli Batis (S), Joselito (S), Pablo (S), Sassari (I), Jose Oliver (S), Kuman (S), Sciacca (I)

EBSL Superfinal

Group A: ITALY, Denmark, Germany, Moldova

Group B: Spain, Portugal, Belarus, Switzerland

Group A fixtures and results

Matchday 1, Tuesday 8 September

Denmark 4-6 Germany (pens)

Moldova 2-9 ITALY

Matchday 2, Wednesday 9 September

Denmark 8-4 Moldova

ITALY 9-3 Germany

Matchday 3, Friday 11 September

Germany 4-5 Moldova (a.e.t.)

ITALY 7-2 Denmark

Standings after Matchday 3

Italy 9, Denmark 3, Moldova 2, Germany 1

Semi-finals, Saturday 12 September

Spain 8-3 Denmark

Italy 10-4 Switzerland

Finals, Sunday 13 September

Third place: Denmark 18-19 Switzerland (pens)

Final: Spain 5-2 Italy