Currently ongoing in Portugal: http://www.fifa.com/beachsoccerworldcup/index.html I became a casual fan of the sport in 2009 when I witnessed Switzerland make the final here in Dubai. This should be the most competitive edition yet as more and more associations are playing the sport. Brazil are the traditional kings of Beach Soccer but Russia has now won two in a row. Including the pre-FIFA era only Russia, France and Portugal have been able to prevent complete Brazilian domination. BSW World Championship 1995 Brazil 1996 Brazil 1997 Brazil 1998 Brazil 1999 Brazil 2000 Brazil 2001 Portugal 2002 Brazil 2003 Brazil 2004 Brazil FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup 2005 France 2006 Brazil 2007 Brazil 2008 Brazil 2009 Brazil 2011 Russia 2013 Russia 2015 ??? All tournaments from 1995 to 2007 were hosted in Brazil. The frequency changed to biennial in 2011.
And the quarterfinals are set for tomorrow Thursday: Brazil - Russia Portugal - Switzerland Italy - Japan Tahiti - Iran Brazil vs. Russia should be great.
Really did not like Tahiti play. Showed no sportsmanship. Iran hit the post 3 times from long range. Italy should be able to defeat them hands down.
Semis: Portugal - Russia Italy - Tahiti Can Russia make it three in a row? Disappointing tournament by Switzerland. Expected more, too many errors and unnecessary fouls.
Well, they did make the semis as hosts in the last edition. And they just pulled of a final appearance, eliminating Italy. The final tomorrow is: Portugal - Tahiti Russia's reign is over. Would a win by Tahiti be the first OFC victory in any FIFA competition? I imagine so.
Tahiti put up a good fight but well deserved in the end by Portugal. It's their first title in the FIFA era, second overall: BSW World Championship 1995 Brazil 1996 Brazil 1997 Brazil 1998 Brazil 1999 Brazil 2000 Brazil 2001 Portugal 2002 Brazil 2003 Brazil 2004 Brazil FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup 2005 France 2006 Brazil 2007 Brazil 2008 Brazil 2009 Brazil 2011 Russia 2013 Russia 2015 Portugal 2017 will be in the Bahamas.