The Maltese Beach Soccer team Will Make a Historic Debut in Euros
The Maltese footballers are preparing for a historic debut in the world of Beach Soccer as they fly to Moldova for the European Beach Soccer League next week.
Led by head coach Marco Casarsa, the reds welcome the hosts Moldova in their first match. They will then face the likes of Romania and England in the following two days.
The event is unchartered territory for the team. But Malta’s first international test has been on the cards since 2020.
“The boys worked hard,” Casarsa said. “They showed a great attitude in the four stages (training camps) that took place which included deep drills at times, to be well prepared for these upcoming tough games.”
Casarsa added that Malta’s international debut will not be one that is made for participation only. Indeed, our boys are well on their way to satisfying the craving for some positive results.
The player’s efforts so far have also been praised by Mark Marlow, the Association’s head of Beach Soccer, following several stunning domestic performances by the team over the past few years.
Casarsa, however, stated that the gap in quality between domestic and international games still remains.
Beach soccer is very similar to traditional soccer, except for the obvious difference that it is played on sand.
There are some differences in the rules as well. Beach soccer matches are divided into three 12-minute periods with a three-minute break in between. Unlike FIFA World Football, the game clock is stopped in the event of a goal, foul, or injury.
Each team will have five players on the field (including one goalkeeper) and seven substitutes who can be inserted and removed whenever the coach wishes.
Another interesting fact about beach soccer is that there is no draw. You either win or lose. Extra time is used in the event of a draw to determine the outcome of the match.
Malta will start on Wednesday 27 July at 6.30pm.
Go to Malta!