After beating Ukraine 7-5 and Switzerland 3-2, the team led by Mário Narciso confirmed credentials against Italy and guaranteed their presence in the decisive match of the European League, at 18.00 on Sunday, on the beach in Buarcos, in Figueira da Foz, facing Belarus.
Jordan Santos, on minute two, opened the scoring with a free kick in which the ball hit the sand and fled from the goalkeeper’s reach.
At nine, Marco Giordani, on a bicycle, tied in the most even stage of the match.
Gabriele Gori shot the Portuguese goalpost at the start of the second period, but Léo Martins was more effective in the following minute, after Jordan’s cross, taking the match to the third period with a 2-1 advantage.
Léo (26) and Miguel Pintado (31), reloading on their free-kick, increased to 4-1.
Jordan Santos (34) and Bruno Torres (35) – the captain played the 300th game for the national team – also scored, in a final stage that also featured two more Italian goals, both from Zurlo (34 and 35).
Belarus surprised by reaching the final in a group that included world champions Russia, Spain and Poland.
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