FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup Marseille 2008 – Semi-finals

The final is now set for the 2008 FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup. Tomorrow (July 27, 2008), Brazil will take on Portugal for the Kings of the Beach football title. Highlights are available on the FIFA website at this link.

Italy reach final on penalties
Italy beat Spain 1-0 on penalties to book a Marseille 2008 final date with Brazil. Massimiliano Esposito dispatched the crucial spot-kick after the two sides had contested a pulsating 4-4 draw.

Amarelle fired Spain ahead on two minutes, but efforts from Esposito and Simone Feudi ensured Italy held the driving seat at the close of the first period. Javi Alvarez took just 50 seconds thereafter to restore parity, which continued until the last minute of the middle third, when Javier Torres made it 3-2 to La Roja.

Roberto Pasquali underlined his eminence by volleying the Azzurri level straight from the restart, but Amarelle scored a stunning goal to restore Spain’s advantage. Pasquali was again on target with a carbon copy of his first strike and after Amarelle’s overhead-kick had gone inches wide, the contest went into extra time, where neither side was able to claim victory. Amarelle hit the post with Spain’s first penalty, leaving Esposito to emerge a hero.

Brazil win titanic fight
Brazil came from behind three times to edge Portugal 5-4 for a place in the final. Andre scored a hat-trick to keep the Seleção in the game, before Bruno posted a splendid winner.

Andre gave Brazil the lead on ten minutes, before Madjer pulled Portugal level just after the first restart. Belchior then fired Ze Miguel’s side in front, before Benjamin cut inside his marker and dispatched a fierce right-foot drive to make it 2-2. With time running out in the second period, Torres restored the Europeans’ advantage

Inspired by Alexandre Soares’ words, Brazil swiftly went in search of an equaliser and got it through Andre. Portugal, however, responded just as quickly with a sublime goal from Alan. Andre tied the scored once again, and then Bruno swung the game in the holders’ favour with a strike from distance.

Video: Benfica vs. Blackburn Rovers Extended Highlights (Pre-season Friendly)

Blackburn Rovers claimed an impressive 3-2 pre-season friendly triumph over Benfica on Friday evening.

Morten Gamst Pedersen, Jason Roberts and Brett Emerton were all on target for Paul Ince’s side on an entertaining night in Portugal.

The Premier League side went a goal down on seven minutes when Jonathan Urretavizcaya pounced on a rebound.

But Rovers struck twice in the space of two minutes to turn the game around, with Pedersen dispatching an excellent free-kick and Roberts slotting home in the 35th minute.

Emerton extended Blackburn’s advantage, connecting with Pedersen’s cross, before Benfica netted a consolation via Ariza Makukula’s effort.

Fenerbache adidas 2008-09 Home, Away and Third Kits / Jerseys

Fenerbahce released their adidas 2008-09 kits at the Sükrü Saracoglu Stadium. A new yellow-white striped away shirt, a catchy white shirt and a brand new yellow neon shirt are in the collection to add to the new striped home design, the legendary shirt synonymous with Fenerbahce.

The home shirt was first seen during David Guiza’s official Fenerbache presentation.

“Fenerbahçe Futbol Takımımızın 2008/2009 sezonunda giyeceği adidas formaları, Fenerbahçe Şükrü Saracoğlu Stadyumu’nda düzenlenen organizasyonda tanıtıldı. Gecede formalarla birlikte Fenerbahçe Futbol Takımı’nın 2008/2009 sezonunda kullanacağı ve Fenerium tarafından hazırlanan kamp ve antrenman malzemelerinden oluşan A Takım Koleksiyonu ile Fenerium Sonbahar/Kış Koleksiyonu’nun da tanıtımı gerçekleşti. A Takım koleksiyonumuzu futbolcularımız tanıttı. Gecede, Başkanımız Aziz Yıldırım, yönetim kurulu üyelerimiz, futbolcularımız ve teknik kadromuz ile birlikte adidas, Avea ve Fenerium’un yöneticileri hazır bulundu.”