The runners-up of the last two Beach Soccer World Cups struggled to contain the attacking threat of Switzerland as Angelo Schirinzi’s side put ten goals past Tahiti’s Tiki Toa in a friendly in Spiez, Switzerland.
As number six in the world rankings met number seven, the match began as a relatively close contest, and the visitors actually took an early two-goal lead.
However, this seemed to wake up the Swiss stars who kicked into action, scoring goal after goal to see the first period end 5-2. The hosts enjoyed the lead but Tahiti weren’t out of the match yet.
However, after the second period finished at 8-3, the gap widened and the heads of the visitors began to drop.
The formidable Noel Ott, no stranger to bagging a hat-trick, scored three goals, while Spaccarotella took a brace, putting the lead far beyond the reach of the Tahitians, and breezing to what turned out to be a comfortable 10-3 win.
Swiss striker Dejan Stankovic, a surprising absentee from the score sheet for this match, reflected brightly on the fixture.
“We were expecting a spectacular game, and Tahiti have shown why they made it all the way to the final in the last two World Cups.
He added that for his team, “the match was the last real test before the Euro Beach Soccer League finals in Sardinia in early September”.
Switzerland will secure a place in the European Games 2019 in Minsk, assuming they secure a top-seven finish.
The vanquished opponents also had some positive words after the game… “It was a great game played at the highest level,” Heimanu Taiarui, 2015 FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup Golden Ball winner, said.
“The Ambiance here in Spiez is unique, Switzerland are an absolutely world-class team.”
0-1 : Teriitau, min. 3 (1); 0-2 : Salem, min. 3 (1); 1-2 : Ott, min. 4 (1); 2-2 : Ostgen, min. 6 (1); 3-2 : Borer, min. 7 (1); 4-2 : Spaccarotella, min. 8 (1); 5-2 : Ott, min. 10 (1); 6-2 : Wuest, min. 3 (2); 6-3 : Tepa, min. 6 (2); 7-3 : Ott, min. 8 (2); 8-3 : Werder, min. 11 (2); 9-3 : Spaccarotella, min. 7 (3); 10-3 : Hodel, min. 11 (3)