Beach kings
Five representatives of the Belarusian national beach soccer team are vying for the title of the best in the world
The Belarusian national beach soccer team was recognised as the best team in the country last year. The players have long accustomed us to the fact that at any major competition, they are not just participants but the main favourites: whether it is the Euroleague, the World Championship, or another tournament. It does not matter who the opponents are — Brazilians, Portuguese, or Spaniards — the wards of Nicolás Alvarado know their strength and their worth, and therefore play solely for victory, aiming exclusively for the title of champions. This will surely be the case at the upcoming World Championship in May, which will take place in the Seychelles.

Nicolás Alvarado, Mikhail Avgustov, and Yauheni Novikau
Our team has recently completed an intensive and fruitful training camp in Iran, where they played two friendly matches against the local national team. Upon returning home, the entire squad united to vote in the Presidential election, casting their votes ‘for the sustainable development in all areas of life, prosperity and well-being of all institutions, and a peaceful sky above our heads!’ Recently, the Beach Soccer Worldwide (BSWW) has announced the shortlist of players and coaches nominated for the title of the best at the end of 2024. Among them are five representatives from Belarus: footballers Ihar Bryshtsel, Aleh Hapon, and Yauheni Novikau, goalkeeper Mikhail Avgustov, and coach Nicolás Alvarado. It is simply impossible to imagine something similar in any other team sport. Incredible, but true!
BSWW is an organisation with a principled stance and a strong character — qualities that are almost non-existent in the world today. They did not bow to political pressure and not only allowed the Belarusian national team to participate in all events under their auspices, but also — despite facing significant external pressure — permitted it to compete with all national symbols: the coat of arms, flag, and anthem. Our players have participated in the last three World Championships and last year seriously contended for medals of the highest calibre, ultimately finishing in a disappointing fourth place. Additionally, under the guidance of Nicolás Alvarado, the team secured a bronze medal in the Euroleague during the 2024 season.
There are no weak players in the Belarusian national team; each one can consider themselves a star of global stature. However, when it comes to the royal title of the world’s Best Player of the Year 2024, our captain, Ihar Bryshtsel, born in a village near Kobrin, has a genuine chance of winning this award. He is a true virtuoso and goal-scorer, with very few equals even on all the beaches of Brazil. Aleh Hapon also had a remarkable season, impressing with his acrobatic skills. He hails from Skidel and began his sporting career in… baseball! Fortunately, he found his way in time and is now one of the best beach footballers on the planet. Yauheni Novikau comes from Zhabinka. He is the very redhead who should be in any team for good luck. But seriously, Zhenya is a defender extraordinaire: tall, tenacious, with long legs like a heron, he reads the game brilliantly and can join the attack at any moment to deliver a decisive blow. Mikhail Avgustov is a unique goalkeeper who not only keeps his goal secure but also regularly scores in the opponent’s goal. Each of them would be welcomed with great enthusiasm into any team in the world, but they are Belarusians and bring glory to their country.
Nicolás Alvarado also refers to himself as a Belarusian, or more precisely, a ‘bulbash’ [aka ‘potatoman’ — a common nickname of Belarusians]. His chances of winning the world’s Best Coach of the Year 2024 title are incredibly high. A former top player for the Spanish national team, Alvarado began his coaching career with the Belarusian national team and has since developed a deep affection for Belarusian soil. Throughout February, a vote will be held among coaches and captains of national teams, as well as clubs that participated in tournaments under the auspices of BSWW, to determine the best in all categories. The date for the annual Beach Soccer Stars gala evening, where the awards will be presented, will be announced later. The intuition suggests that Belarusians will definitely play a significant role there!
By Sergei Kanashits