After victories in Group F against Norway (8:2, 6:2) and a loss to Poland (1:8), the Ukraine beach soccer team advanced from second place to the Round of 16, where they faced France (ranked 28th in the BSWW world ranking).

For the first half of the opening period, the Ukrainians struggled to find their way to the French goal but eventually did so with the help of Timofiy Lystopad. Following a foul on him, the referee awarded a penalty, which Lystopad converted with a powerful shot into the top corner. Just a minute later, Ihor Levchenko capitalized on a mistake by the opposing goalkeeper and doubled the Blue and Yellow's lead. However, the French didn't back down and reduced the deficit at the end of the period with Varrel's effort, making it 2:1.

The beginning of the second 12-minute period was in favor of our team, with Andriy Pashko scoring another goal for Ukraine. Nevertheless, the Tricolores responded again, narrowing the gap to a minimum with a free-kick from Gosselin.

Furthermore, in the third period, the French national team managed to equalize with a precise shot from Bru, making it 3:3. However, in the 32nd minute, Andriy Pashko took a long shot and once again put Ukraine ahead. But the French found the strength to level the score again with a penalty, resulting in a 4:4 tie, leading the match into overtime.

Unfortunately, during overtime, the Blue and Yellows conceded again from a set piece. Thus, the final score was 4:5, marking the defeat of the Ukraine national team, which failed to advance to the second group round of the World Cup 2025 Qualifiers and concluded their participation in the European qualifiers.

World Cup 2025 Qualifiers. European Qualification. Round of 16

France – Ukraine – 5:4 (OT)

Goals: Varrel (11), Gosselin (21), Bru (28), Maison (32, pen), Basquiat (37) — Lystopad (6, pen), I. Levchenko (7), Pashko (16, 32).

France: Salazar, Nelson, Guerin, Rodrigues, Salim, Artyufel, Constant, Varrel, Bru, Vernier, Fayos, Maison, Basquiat, Gosselin.

Ukraine: Nerush, Poslavskyi, Pazenko, Gluckyi, M. Levchenko, A. Borsuk, Lystopad, I. Levchenko, Zborovskyi, Pashko, Sirenko, Ross.

Booked: Varrel (4), Bru (6), Basquiat (21), Vernier (35) — Lystopad (5), I. Levchenko (13), Zborovskyi (35).

Beach Soccer World Cup 2025. European Qualification. Round of 16

October 9, 2024

Denmark - Moldova - 4:3

France - Ukraine - 5:4 (OT)

Switzerland vs. Estonia (12:30)

Poland vs. Germany (13:45)

Italy vs. England (15:15)

Belarus vs. Lithuania (16:30)

Portugal vs. Azerbaijan (17:45)

Spain vs. Belgium (19:00)

The top 16 teams will advance to the Round of 16 – the top two teams from each group and the four best third-placed teams.

Winners of the Round of 16 will then form two new groups of four, with the top two teams from each group securing a spot in the World Cup. The final day of the qualifiers will feature placement matches to determine rankings.

The Round of 16, second group stage, and placement matches will be held from October 9 to 13.

The next Beach Soccer World Cup will take place in Victoria, the capital of the Seychelles, on the island of Mahé, from May 1 to 11, 2025.