Italy are dreaming of a European double, but first they must overcome Spain twice. After the women’s team beat Ukraine in the semi-finals this afternoon to set up tomorrow’s 16:45 final against La Roja (live on RaiPlay), Del Duca’s men also delivered when it mattered.

A 10-4 win over Switzerland secured Italy’s place in the Euro Beach Soccer League final, the continental championship on sand, for the fourth consecutive year following titles in 2023 and 2025 and a runners-up finish in 2024. In front of a sold-out Valenti, Sciacca and his team-mates were in complete control against the Swiss. Casapieri, Josep and Giordani all scored twice, while Sciacca, Fazzini, Bertacca and Reggio also found the net. The only downside was Giordani’s dismissal for a second yellow card, which means Del Duca will be without his leading scorer in the final. The men’s Italy-Spain final will kick off at 18:00 and bring the 2026 EBSL Superfinal to a close (live on RaiPlay).

Head coach Del Duca was delighted with the achievement: “That makes it four European finals in four consecutive years, which is a historic achievement for Italian beach soccer. Now we have one final step to take. Tomorrow will be tough because we are facing an outstanding side in Spain. Today, after going 6-1 up, we could have managed the game a little better, but in the end we regained control in the third period and put the result beyond doubt.”

THE MATCH. Italy start with Casapieri in goal, Josep and Bertacca providing the defensive cover, Sciacca bringing balance and Giordani looking to pick up where he left off after scoring six against Denmark. Casapieri is called into action early, producing a fine save to deny Borer, before Italy respond with a Giordani free-kick that Eliott gathers well. It is an evenly matched, high-intensity contest. The Azzurri play aggressively, but Switzerland have too much experience to be caught out easily. As the minutes pass, Italy begin to create the better chances. Casapieri, Shalabi and then Fazzini all go close before, in the 6’, the Italy goalkeeper catches his opposite number out from distance with a superb angled strike to make it 1-0. The Azzurri appear in control, but Switzerland draw level in the 9’. Casapieri can only parry Eliott’s shot and Ott is on hand to turn home the rebound for 1-1. Italy do not lose their shape and are soon threatening again. With 2’ remaining before the break, Josep releases Sassari with an excellent ball, but Eliott produces a superb save at his near post to keep out the volley. Just when the opening period looks set to end level, Italy regain the lead on the buzzer. Fazzini clears the ball from distance, but Eliott has inexplicably already left his goal, believing time had expired. A costly lapse from such an experienced goalkeeper gifts the Azzurri a 2-1 lead at the first interval.

SECOND PERIOD. Italy make a flying start after the restart, scoring straight from kick-off as Giordani fires home the set piece for 3-1. In barely three seconds either side of the break, the Azzurri have struck twice – a sequence that could only happen in beach soccer. Giordani has his goal and soon takes over. He wins the ball from Ott, surges towards goal and finishes to make it 4-1. Italy are now in full flow. Josep produces a superb piece of skill, bringing the ball under control before finishing on the move for 5-1, before a brilliant first-time passing move ends with Sciacca heading home the sixth. The danger, however, is allowing the intensity to drop. Switzerland pull one back through a Giordani own goal, then go close twice in quick succession through Steinemann and Knopfli. Italy threaten a seventh through Alla and Genovali, but it is Hodel who scores in the 6’ to make it 6-3. With the margin cut to three, the Azzurri need to slow the game down and regain control. Instead, Switzerland use all their experience to keep the pressure on and win a penalty in the 7’, with Ott converting to bring them back to within two.

THIRD PERIOD. Italy restore their three-goal cushion just 30’’ into the final period, Casapieri unleashing a thunderous strike from 20 metres that flies into the top corner for 7-4. A minute later, Bertacca converts a free-kick to put the Azzurri four goals clear once again. With five minutes remaining and Italy firmly in control, Giordani is sent off after receiving a second yellow card, ruling the Azzurri’s leading scorer out of the final. Even with a player down, though, Italy keep pushing and Josep makes it 9-4 to leave victory within touching distance. With 50” left, Federico Reggio adds the finishing touch from a free-kick, sealing a commanding 10-4 win for the Azzurri.

ITALY 10-4 SWITZERLAND (1st period 2-1; 2nd period 4-3)

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

Switzerland: Eliott, Borer, J. Knopfli, Ott, Hodel. Subs: Rodrigues, Steinemann, Spacca, Y. Knopfli, Reber, Capozzolo. Coach: Schirinzi

Goals: 6’ 1st Casapieri (I), 9’ Ott (S), 12’ Fazzini (I); 1’ 2nd and 2’ 2nd Giordani (I), 2’ 2nd Josep Jr (I), 3’ 2nd Sciacca (I), 3’ 2nd Giordani own goal (S), 6’ 2nd Hodel (S), 7’ 2nd Ott pen. (S); 1’ 3rd Casapieri (I), 2’ 3rd Bertacca (I), 7’ 3rd Josep Jr (I), 12’ 3rd Reggio (I)

Referees: Gomes Soares (Portugal), Dor (France), Gebka (Poland), Tashkov (Bulgaria); Timekeeper: Sayoud (Belgium)

Notes: Booked: Sciacca (I), Giordani (I), Hodel (S), Spacca (S); Giordani (I) sent off in the 7’ of the third period after receiving a second yellow card

 

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 v Switzerland, 15:30

Final: Spain v Italy, 18:00