REVIEW: Hungarian side Multichem Szentendrei defeat Westsite Amsterdam in the women’s final, while BM Playa Sevilla overcome record men's champions Detono Zagreb.
Multichem Szentendrei and BM Playa Sevilla claim ebt titles
The thrilling last day of action at the ebt Finals 2018 in Stare Jablonki, Poland, saw the semi-finals, trophy matches and placement games take place – with new champions crowned in both the men’s and women’s competitions.
After finishing second behind Club Balonmano Playa Algeciras in 2017, Multichem Szentendrei N.K.E. made their way to the final once more – but this time, they did not falter. Following a 2:0 win over Team Poland in the semi-final, Szentendrei recorded the same flawless result, 2:0, in the trophy match against Westsite Amsterdam.
In 2017, Westsite Amsterdam were defeated in their semi-final by Szentendrei. In 2018, they knocked the defending champions, Algeciras, out of the race for the title with a 2:1 victory in penultimate match. Algeciras recovered from the semi-final loss to beat Team Poland 2:0 in the bronze-medal game.
Therefore, it was the same three sides on the podium in 2018 as in the previous year, albeit in a different order.
All women’s ebt Finals 2018 results
The men’s competition saw new winners, as Pinturas Andalucía BM Playa Sevilla claimed their first title in the event by defeating record winners Detono Zagreb 2:1 in the trophy match. Sevilla qualifed for the final after a 2:0 victory against Salgótarjáni Strandépítök BHC in the semi-final, while Zagreb beat SC Ekaterinodar 2:1.
In the men’s bronze-medal match, Ekaterinodar won 2:0 versus Salgótarjáni Strandépítök BHC.
All men’s ebt Finals 2018 results
Following the finals, the All-star Teams were announced as follows:
Men:
Most Valuable Player: Igor Neklyudov (Ekaterinodar)
Best Goalkeeper: Joao Pinho (V. Gaw)
Top Scorer: Josip Matezovic (Chemo Profili Zagreb) – 132 points
Fair Play Team: Zagreb Beach Hrvatska – three suspensions, one disqualification
Women:
Most Valuable Player: Isabel Barnard (Westsite Amsterdam)
Best Goalkeeper: Veronika Vitovszki (Multichem Szentendrei)
Top Scorer: Cristina Conejero Galan (CB Playa Algeciras ESP) – 111 points
Fair Play Team: CAIPIranhas – six suspensions, one disqualification
TEXT:
Courtney Gahan