Italy’s Beach Soccer Team were beaten by Ukraine during their debut at the European Beach Games in Minsk. It finished 4-3 on penalties to Yevhen Varenytsia’s side, with the Azzurri losing out despite an impressive start. The first period ended 2-0 to the Italians, although Emiliano Del Duca’s outfit then lost the other two periods 2-1. This then led to extra-time with the game tied at 4-4 before the match went to penalties where Simone Marinai’s miss proved decisive.

“We started well in terms of our approach to the game,” said Coach Del Duca. “We pushed our opponents back before they then came out strong, regaining ground. We were unlucky in certain moments but the result doesn’t take anything away from the team’s performance. We now want to turn the page and focus on the game against Russia. We’re focused on the objective and the tournament has only just started.”

UKRAINE-ITALY 8-7 AET (4-4) (0-2; 2-1; 2-1)
Goals: 1’ Corosiniti (I) pen., 6’ second period Gentilin (I); 6’ second period Pachev (U), 9’ second period Gori (I), 11’ second period Nerush (U), 5’ third period Medved (U), 6’ third period Zurlo (I), 9’ third period Pachev (U)
Penalties: Pachev (U) goal; Chiavaro (I) goal, Borsuk (U) goal, Gori (I) goal, Korniichuk (U) goal, Zurlo (I) goal, Medved (U) goal, Marinai (I) miss