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National beach soccer team honored at Belarus’ NOC

MINSK, 12 March (BelTA) – A ceremony to honor the national beach soccer team, which placed fourth at the 2024 FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup, took place at the National Olympic Committee of Belarus on 12 March, BelTA has learned.

The 2024 FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup was held in the United Arab Emirates on 15-25 February. Belarus went through the group stage without defeat, beating Senegal (6-4), Japan (3-1) and Colombia (4-1). Nicolas Alvarado's men then defeated three-time world champions Portugal 4-3 in the quarterfinal. Thus, Belarus reached the World Cup semifinal for the first time in history, where they faced Italy and lost 4-5 on penalties. In the bronze match Belarus lost to Iran (1-6).

“Belarus showed their true worth at the 2024 FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup. Unfortunately, the achievements of our national teams can be counted on the fingers of one hand. What the footballers accomplished at the World Cup and earlier at the 2ndCIS Games, winning gold, is a vivid example of how one should do one's job in the sport of highest achievements. This is truly a sporting feat,” NOC President Viktor Lukashenko said. “Not only the players, but also the coaching staff, the administrative team, medical workers, as well as relatives, friends and fans were involved in this success. The whole country watched the matches with interest and rooted for our team. I would like to note FIFA’s stance, thanks to which we were able to perform under our national symbols.”

Certificates of honor and gratitude of the NOC of Belarus and the Sports and Tourism Ministry were bestowed upon Ivan Kanstantsinau (captain), Ihar Bryshtsel (top scorer), Vadzim Bokach, Aleh Hapon, Mikita Chaikouski, YahorHardzetski, Mikhail Avgustov, Yury Piatrouski, Anatoliy Ryabko, Uladzimir Ustsinovich, Artsemi Drozd , Yauheni Novikau, coaches Nicolas Alvarado and Dmitry Rubnenko, doctor Andrei Shubko, masseur Vladislav Ivanov, administrator Dmitry Babak, chairman of the Belarusian Beach Soccer Federation Mikhail Botnikov, deputy chairman of the federation Aleksandr Baranov, representative of the National Research Center of Sports Yelena Khromenkova.

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