Belarus’ beach football team holds a two-week training session in Brazil, playing leading local clubs
Winner is often determined on penalty kicks
The trip was organised due to the efforts of the new head coach of the Belarusian team. Under the Brazilian, Marko Oktavio’s guidance, our footballers played a series of matches with Brazil’s strongest clubs: Botafogo, Londrina and Flamengo. Captain Ivan Brishtel was named the best bombardier of the Belarusian team: scoring ten goals. As a result, the Belarusians were placed 3rd in the tournament.
According to Mr. Oktavio, matches against the best Brazilian clubs were a great advantage for his trainees. The Belarusians accumulated valuable experience in the capital city of beach football: Rio de Janeiro. Moreover, the coaches learnt a great deal from each other. Mr. Oktavio praised the team for the progress achieved in this short time, particularly when viewed against their performance in the first matches of the season played in St. Petersburg.
The Brazilian specialists were pleasantly surprised with the level of Belarusian skill; our players made a great impression with their determination to win, especially challenging in the 40-degree heat.
The Belarusian team will have another training session in Mozyr in May. It would be the next stage in the preparations for their performance in the European League’s elite division.
By Gleb Davidov
