The Azzurri showed composure and heart in their first group game of the Euro Beach Soccer League stage being held in Catania. Italy beat Germany 5-4, with the woodwork and opposition goalkeeper preventing Emiliano Del Duca’s side from winning by a bigger margin. Italy slowly grew into the game and increased the intensity as the minutes went by, although they weren’t able to shake off a stubborn German side completely. To be noted: Corosiniti’s excellent assist which led to the Azzurri’s first goal scored by Ramacciotti and bicycle kicks from Marinai and Gabriele Gori in the second period. Perhaps quite predictably, Germany’s goals came through Biermann and Weirauch, both of whom honed their skills in the Italian league with Pisa and Brescia. The same applies to the Head Coach Matteo Marrucci, a former Azzurri player and now in charge of the Germans. Gabriele Gori now sits on 256 goals from just 148 Italy games, while Palmacci and Marinai have scored 252 and 90 times respectively.

Italy dominated and dictated play for large periods, although Germany did battle admirably. In the end, the Azzurri emerged victorious and continued a trend that has seen them win all opening tournament matches in 2019 except for one penalty shootout defeat. Del Duca had this to say after the game: “This match is proof that no games are easy, it is never simple against Germany. It’s not just any other moment: the lads have just finished playing in the finals and are now feeling the effects of having been involved in over 40 games. In spite of everything, we managed to pick up a precious win and I’m sure we’ll grow over the course of the stage.” Gabriele Gori’s comments were also pragmatic: “The first game after the stressful final stage of the league season isn’t easy to interpret. However, we managed to achieve this and win by showing our tough side. Now, we can only improve.”

At 18:00 CEST on Saturday 17 August, Italy will face France, who lost their opener against Belarus. If the Azzurri win, they will mathematically qualify for the Superfinal. It is important for Italy to pick up as many points as possible in order to guarantee the most favourable group possible in the final stage of the European Championship. The Azzurri haven’t lost against France since 2009, winning the last five encounters. The match will be shown live on beachsoccer.com/live.

GERMANY 4-5 ITALY (1-2; 2-3; 1-0)

Germany: Volkl, Kniller, Nowak, Biermann, Weirauch (Cap.), Metzler, Korner, Ebener, Martinez, Hoeveler. Head Coach: Matteo Marrucci

Italy: Del Mestre, Carpita, Corosiniti (Cap.), Chiavaro, Ramacciotti, Josep Jr, Marinai, Palmacci, Gori, Zurlo. Head Coach: Emiliano Del Duca

Referees: Ingilab Mammadov, Ozcan Sultanoglu, Dario Minder, Jurijs Ivusins.

Goals: first period: 4’ Korner (G), 6’ Ramacciotti (I), 12’ Palmacci (I); second period: 1’ Marinai (I), 6’ Weirauch (G), 8’ Biermann (G), 8’ Gori (I), 9’ Gori (I); third period: 9’ Biermann (G)

Bookings: Zurlo, Marinai (I), Biermann (G)

RESULTS

Division A

Matchday 1 - Friday 18 August
Belarus 4-1 France
Germany 4-5 Italy

Standings: Belarus and Italy 3 points; Germany and France 0

SCHEDULE (all times CEST)

Matchday Two – Saturday 19 August
Belarus vs. Germany (16:45)
Italy vs. France (18:00)

Matchday Three – Sunday 20 August
France vs. Germany (16:45)
Italy vs. Belarus (18:00)