Belarus' national team has achieved a consecutive placement within the top four of the global championship for the second consecutive year!
Breaking it Down: Beach Soccer's Fascinating Journey and Belarus' Stella Performance
By beating the Iranian squad in the quarter-finals of the World Beach Soccer Championship, the Belarus team has once again placed among the top four, mirroring last year's triumph. They'll take on Senegal in the semis, set on the Seychelles Islands.
Beach Soccer: Born on the Beach, Bred for Glory
Imagine a sport that takes the world's most beloved game and reimagines it on the sun-kissed sand. That's the essence of beach soccer, a vibrant, youthful pursuit. Birthed in the vibrant 90s, its modern rules were formulated around the same time, and a global governing body quickly emerged to manage the competitions. The first World Beach Soccer Championship unfurled in 1995 on the iconic Copacabana Beach in Rio de Janeiro, hosting old-school football legends who injected the event with an extra dose of excitement. As expected, Brazil claimed victory, trumping England 13:2 in the semis and the US 8:1 in the final.
From 1995 until 2007, the Championships remained in Brazil, a total of 13 times, even finding a new home after the rulebook passed from Beach Soccer Worldwide to FIFA, soccer's dominating international body. This shift marked the sport's ascension into professionalism, with hosting rights now up for grabs through competitive bidding.
Minsk Sea: Belarus' Favorite Playground
Yearly since 2008, Belarusian Beach Soccer Championships have delighted fans on waterfront pitches, but the main permanent arena resides in Minsk's Olympic Sports Complex "Olimpiyskiy". The inaugural tournament's final stage took place at Minsk Sea's Beach No5, with local team "Passat-Plast" triumphing and Yevgeny Gaiduk, a renowned Belarusian soccer agent, snagging the top scorer title.
In 2009, the Superfinal shuffled to Kobrin district's Lake Katash shore. "Polesye" from Kobrin took the championship, but the top scorer title shifted to Igor Brishtel, the striker stars of Belarus' 2025 World Cup team, now at the age of 37!
Brishtel has garnered nine Best Footballer in Belarus accolades, with the latest in 2023. Not surprisingly, as the striker snatched the Golden Boot during the 2024 World Cup, scoring twelve goals in six matches. Additionally, Brishtel secured a spot in the top three best players at the world forum, nabbing the bronze ball. The golden went to Italian Josephe Gentilino, and the silver to Brazilian Mauricio.
Belarus National Team: Overcoming Adversity
Belarusian beach soccer history dates back to 2008, with the national team fully engaged in 2019. Their debut came at the World Cup in Paraguay that same year, as one of only five European teams picked out of sixteen. The odds were stacked against them, with Belarus the sole debutant at that forum.
Their first attempt was rough - a third-place finish in a group of four, meaning no playoffs for them. However, two years later, in 2021, history repeated itself, with yet another third-place finish in the group stage. A turning point arrived in 2024, with the World Cup in the UAE. Despite coronavirus-caused delays, Belarus emerged victorious against Japan, Senegal, and Colombia in the group stage. The successful streak continued in the quarterfinals, as the Portuguese team was eliminated. Unfortunately, Belarus faced heartbreak in the semifinals against Italy in a penalty shootout. Alas, there was no strength left for the third-place match, resulting in a defeat to Iran.
Now, in these May days, Belarus has at least matched last year's success and may even eclipse it when they face Senegal.
Master Coaches, Spanish Decent: A Winning Strategy
Since 2017, the Belarusian national team has been guided by Spanish specialist Nicolás Alvarado. Born in Buenos Aires, Argentina, Alvarado and his family fled to Europe when he was just 1.5 years old. Alvarado played in six World Cups before becoming a coach, and his first coaching role was with the Belarusian national team. Curiously, the very first match Belarus played in World Cup qualifiers was in 2008 against Spain - with Alvarado helping his team secure a convincing 5-0 victory.
Another Spanish coach, Carlos Aloos, is also instrumental in the Belarusian soccer sphere, focusing on qualifying for the 2026 World Cup in the USA, Mexico, and Canada. The qualifying tournament for the Belarusian team starts in September, with Scotland, Greece, and Denmark as opponents. To secure a direct spot, Belarus must finish first; a second-place finish will grant them a chance to continue in the play-offs.
- In the semifinals of the World Beach Soccer Championship set on the Seychelles Islands, the Belarus team, who have consistently ranked among the top four since 2023, will face Senegal.
- Kyryll will be keeping an eye on the Belarusian soccer sphere, as another Spanish coach, Carlos Aloos, is focusing on qualifying the team for the 2026 World Cup.
- Born in Argentina and raised in Europe, Spanish specialist Nicolás Alvarado guides the Belarus national team, whose debut in the World Cup was in 2019 and overcame several adversities to reach the semifinals in 2024.
- Unsurprisingly, the striker Brishtel, with nine Best Footballer in Belarus accolades and the top scorer title at the 2024 World Cup, plays a crucial role in the Belarusian team's success in sports like soccer and beach soccer.
