The 2017 Euro Beach Soccer League (EBSL) was the 20th edition of the annual, premier European competition in beach soccer contested between men's national teams, in a league and play-off format.
This season teams continued to take part in two divisions, the top tier (Division A) and the bottom tier (Division B). Twelve teams continued to contest Division A as in recent seasons, consisting of the top eleven finishers from last year plus Azerbaijan who were promoted to the top tier. Division B was expanded to accommodate fifteen nations; the thirteen nations which did not gain promotion from last season, Lithuania who made their debut, plus Romania who were relegated from the top tier. No nations returned to the tournament after an absence from competing in recent years.
This season, in recognition of the 20th anniversary of the competition, additional matches were scheduled for a total of five stages of fixtures during the regular season. Each team from Division A played in two stages whilst each team from Division B played in one stage. During each stage the participating nations earned points for the overall league tables.
At the end of the regular season stages, according to the league tables, the eight best teams in Division A advanced to the post-season Superfinal to compete directly to become the winners of this year's EBSL. Meanwhile, the top seven teams in Division B (the stage winners and best runners-up) and the team ranked bottom of Division A played in the Promotion Final to try to earn a spot in Division A next year.
Turkey were promoted to Division A after beating Estonia to claim the Promotion Final title. This sees Turkey return to the top flight for the first time since they were relegated from Division A in 2011. Greece finished last in Division A and failed to defend their place in the Promotion Final and were therefore subsequently relegated to Division B, ending their four-year run in the top tier.
Russia won the league after a strong performance in the Superfinal, claiming their fifth EBSL crown to tie for first with Spain and Portugal with the most titles in EBSL history. Defending champions Ukraine were knocked out of title-winning contention in the group stage of the Superfinal, ultimately finishing seventh in the post-season event.
Video 2017 Euro Beach Soccer League
Calendar and locations
Maps 2017 Euro Beach Soccer League
Teams
The following teams have entered this season, in the following divisions (12 in Division A, 15 in Division B).
The numbers in brackets show the European ranking of each team prior to the start of the season, out of 36 nations.
Division A
Division B
Notes:
Stage 1 (Belgrade, 23-25 June)
Matches are listed as local time in Belgrade, CEST (UTC+2)
All matches took place at the National Beach Soccer Stadium at Ada Ciganlija, with a capacity of 2,500.
Awards
The following were presented after the conclusion of final day's matches. Individual awards apply to Division A only.
Stage 2 (Nazaré, 7-9 July)
Stage 2 was originally scheduled to take place in Sanxenxo, Spain but on 1 June, BSWW announced the stage was to be moved due to administrative issues, with Nazaré becoming the new host city due to having successfully hosted the 2017 Euro Winners Cup events, as well as being in close geographical proximity to the original hosts, Sanxenxo.
There were no Division B fixtures during this stage.
Division A
Matches are listed as local time in Nazaré, WEST (UTC+1)
All matches took place at the Estádio do Viveiro at the Praia de Nazaré, in tandem with the hosting of the 2017 Women's Euro Beach Soccer Cup. The arena has a capacity of 1,600.
Awards
The following were presented after the conclusion of the final day's matches.
Stage 3 (Moscow, 28-30 July)
Matches are listed as local time in Moscow, MSK (UTC+3)
All matches took place at Yantar Beach Soccer Stadium in the district of Strogino, with a capacity of 2,500 seats.
Awards
The following were presented after the conclusion of final day's matches. Individual awards apply to Division A only.
Stage 4 (Siófok, 11-13 August)
Matches are listed as local time in Siófok, CEST (UTC+2)
All matches took place at the Mlsz Beach Aréna at Nagystrand, with a capacity of 1,500.
Awards
The following were presented after the conclusion of final day's matches. Individual awards apply to Division A only.
Stage 5 (Warnemünde, 25-27 August)
Matches are listed as local time in Warnemünde, CEST (UTC+2)
All matches took place at the purpose built DFB Beachsoccer Arena, at the site of the Sport & Beach Arena on Warnemünde Beach, with a capacity of 1,500 seats.
Awards
The following were presented after the conclusion of final day's matches. Individual awards apply to Division A only.
League tables
At stage completion
Ranking & tie-breaking criteria: Division A - 1. Points earned 2. Goal difference 3. Goals scored | Division B - 1. Points (avg.) earned 2. Highest stage placement 3. Goal difference 4. Goals scored.
Promotion Final (Terracina, 14-17 September)
Qualified teams
The teams in bold have qualified as group winners. The team in italics will attempt to retain their position in Division A, having finished bottom of the table.
Group stage
Matches are listed as local time in Terracina, CEST (UTC+2)
All matches took place at the Beach Arena "Carlo Guarnieri", at Spiaggia di Levante with a capacity of around 2,500.
Play-off stage
Seventh place play-off
Fifth place play-off
Third place play-off
Promotion play-off final
Final standings
- Italics: team from Division A
Superfinal (Terracina, 14-17 September)
Qualified teams
The top eight teams from Division A, as per the league table, qualified for the Superfinal.
Group stage
Matches are listed as local time in Terracina, CEST (UTC+2)
All matches took place at the Beach Arena "Carlo Guarnieri", at Spiaggia di Levante with a capacity of around 2,500.
Play-off stage
Seventh place play-off
Fifth place play-off
Third place play-off
Superfinal match
Awards
Winners trophy
Individual awards
Awarded for feats achieved in the Superfinal only
Final standings
Season statistics
Top scorers
The following tables list the top 10 scorers in each division including goals scored in both the regular and post season events. Note there is no award presented for these season-encompassing scoring feats, the tables are for statistical purposes only. Scoring awards were bestowed per stage, with the primary award that which was presented in the Superfinal.
Assists
The following tables list the top five assistants in each division including assists provided in both the regular and post season events.
Source
Note: The source of these assists stats does not explain what system was used to determine the award of an assist. The total no. of assists recorded is 270 but 727 goals were scored. The discrepancy of the source not recording an assist for every goal scored may be due to a system in use such as FIFAs assists system - (regardless of who made the final pass to the scorer, no assist is awarded when the scorer ultimately lays the goal on for him/herself via a dribble, solo run etc, scores after intercepting an opponent's pass etc.). However since the system in use is not explained, note that assists may simply of gone undocumented.
Discipline
The following table lists the players and teams who received the most penalties for disciplinary infringements in each division in both the regular and post season events.
Source
References
External links
- Beach Soccer Worldwide (organisers' official website)
- Announcement & format
Source of article : Wikipedia
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