BEACH SOCCER NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS

Through the financial assistance of the Malta Council of Sport, the Beach Soccer Association will be holding the Men's and Ladies National Championships starting from 15th July at the Pretty Bay, B'Bugia.
During the competitions there will be unique sporting attractions. Cheer Leaders will be present to entertain the crowds during the resting periods through music shows; there will be Zumba Classes by Maria and Pedro, Beach Handball, Beach Soccer Goalkeepers Challenge and other attractions. A Beach Soccer Academy is being set up for Boys and Girls from 6 to 14 years. Those interested may contact 99447297 or click on www.maltabeachsoccer.com for more details.
The participating teams, men and women will play two rounds with the first round with 12 minutes per half for two halves, whilst the final round will be played over three periods.
An international beach handball tournament will also be held between 29th and 31st July and three foreign teams are taking part. In August, players with special needs will also have the opportunity to enjoy playing on the sand. Roberti Pasquali, the Italian Beach Soccer team captain will be a special guest for the tournament, whilst FIFA is sending Spain's and the world's leading beach soccer player, Ramiro Fiqueiras Amarelle, who will conduct two beach soccer courses, one for coaches and the other for referees between 22nd and 24th July.
The Malta Football Association fully recognise the Beach Soccer Association and the Malta Council of Sport is endorsing these championships by giving its financial assistance so that these competitions will be a hugh success.

Beach Soccer History

The game is still in its infancy as an international organised sport. The first official FIFA World Cup was held in Rio de Janiero in Brazil at the famous Capocana Beach in 2005. These championships should now serve as a starting point for the development of Beach Soccer all over the world. Beach Soccer has an interesting future on the sands.
Over the past decades beach soccer travelled from the beaches in Brazil to the hearts of millions all over the world. With the television coverage world wide, the game has become a showcase. Although it was played almost all over the world it was not until 1992 that the Laws of the Game were formulated. A year after the first professional beach soccer competition took place with teams from Italy, Brazil, Argentina and the United States.

In Malta Beach Soccer started some years back and the game developing fast. That the game is accepted officially by the Malta Football Association should serve for a brighter future of the game on our island.

The Game

Beach Soccer is a dynamic sport that needs agility, stamina, fitness, technique, high speed and excitement. To be played, one needs a high level of fitness that comes from running continuously on a surface that is less stable than turf. It brings better condition in the players, legs and glutes. On a clean sand, players attempt the ‘glory shots’ rarely seen in the grass game like soccer kicks, flying headers and bicycle kicks.

The pitch measures 37 by 28 metres. Players may shoot from practically anywhere and goalkeepers are on their toes all the time. Describing the game fully, a shot attempt is made every 30 seconds with a goal being scored on average, once every 3 to 4 minutes. In an average game, about 11 goals are scored. The sand can be unpredictable for level passing and most players choose to set and pass the ball in the air. One expects to see a lot of chest traps, shoulder pops, headers and flick passes.