Russia beat Brazil to win beach soccer World Cup

The swashbuckling Russian team unceremoniously brushed aside four-time champions Brazil 12-8 to win their first ever FIFA beach soccer World Cup title on Sunday. The Russians, who reached the final for the first time, came out firing and quickly built up a 3-0 lead. And despite a late fightback attempt, Brazil were unable to draw level with the Europeans and thus missed out on a fifth piece of silverware, while Russia were crowned kings on the sand in their first-ever appearance at the Final. The Russians had cruised into the final contest, suffering little throughout the early stages in Ravenna, while Brazil scraped by Senegal in the quarterfinals and had yet to log a consistent three periods. Russia took the lead right out the gate through Egor Shaykov, who was at it again just four minutes later, chipping home before Ilya Leonov put Brazil three goals behind from a free-kick. Brazil, putting up a fight, hit back twice through Andre before the end of the first period, leaving things wide open. Russia stole the show in the second period, however, as they leapt on to nine goals compared to Brazil's four. Egor Eremeev opened things with a brilliant over-head kick, while Alexey Makarov scored from a free-kick before Betinho found the roof of the net with a superb right-footed shot. Russia then scored an incredible four goals in two minutes through Eremeev, Makarov, an own-goal from Betinho, and Dmitry Shishin. Sidney had the final say in the period, though, as he scored Brazil's fourth. The Eastern Europeans appeared unstoppable as Ilya Leonov immediately netted in the third period. However, Andre kept Brazilian hopes alive as he hammered in four goals either side of a Shishin brace in the final period. The individual spark was not enough, though, as the Russians clung on for victory.