BEACH SOCCER STARS

The Beach Soccer Stars is back!

The latest edition of the Beach Soccer Stars recognised England’s Molly Clark and Japan’s Ozu as the world’s best players

The Beach Soccer Stars returned to the UAE to name a new generation of the best in beach soccer, on Saturday 6 November in Dubai, a city that has shown over the last decade that is truly a beach soccer hub.

Another momentous night saw the 2021 season’s very best receive the awards for being at the very pinnacle of the sport, with an eager audience dressed in their very best to see who would win the titles this year.

Excitement levels were especially high considering that the 2020 edition of the event had to be cancelled due to the Covid-19 pandemic. The previous edition took place back in 2019, where Portugal’s Jordan Santos and Spain’s Carol Gonzalez won the Best Player awards.

As is tradition, the gala took place just after the final of the Tecnotree Intercontinental Beach Soccer Cup, and the players from the competing nations, including the winners Russia, were present, along with many special guests from across the world and the beach soccer spectrum.

The Beach Soccer Stars is back!

The latest edition of the Beach Soccer Stars recognised England’s Molly Clark and Japan’s

The gala was kicked off with a speech by BSWW President Joan Cusco, who thanked the people gathered and offered a special thank you to the event partners and to Dubai Sports Council for organising yet another incredible Intercontinental Cup and the Beach Soccer Stars. Council, extended his thanks to the audience as well as everyone who worked at the events in Dubai.

With Raoul, Africa received their first award

“On behalf of my family, Dubai Sports Council, to you, I would like to thank you all and I hope to see you again next year.”

A true friend of the sport, Mr. Hareb grew up playing beach soccer on the sands of Dubai before the city was the glittering metropolis that the world knows today, and who better to present the very first award of the evening...?

Best Player (Men)

Ozu (Japan)

The final award of the night went to Ozu Moreira, Japanese captain, who was announced as the Best Player of 2021. On receiving the award. Brazilian-born Ozu thanked his teammates in Japanese for their support. He captained and coached the Samurai Blue to the final of the World Cup, a record finish for the country.

Best Player (Women) Molly Clark (England)

The Women’s Best Player award went to England’s Molly Clark, who paid tribute to her teammates and said that she works every day to be at her best. Clark won the EBSL Regular Phase and finished runner-up in the Superfinal with England. It was the second time Clark had been nominated for the award after being beaten to it in 2018 by Russian Marina Federova.

Best 5

Eliott Mounoud (Switzerland) Ozu (Japan) Catarino (Brazil) Philipp Borer (Switzerland) Be Martins (Portugal)

Then it was time to build the dream team of beach soccer, the award known as the Best 5 Stars. Eliott was named as the keeper, while in front of him in defence were Japan’s Ozu and Brazil’s Catarino. Leading the attack, were Borer from Switzerland and Be Martins from Portugal.

Best Goalkeeper

Eliott Mounoud (Switzerland)

In terms of the safest pair of hands in beach soccer, the trophy went to Eliott from Switzerland. As dangerous in attack as he is in defence, Eilott’s performance in Russia helped Angelo Schirinzi’s side finish third place in the World Cup, where he was awarded the FIFA Golden Glove.

Rising Star

Raoul Mendy (Senegal)

After an incredible World Cup, winning the CAF Beach Soccer Africa Cup of Nations and performing at the highest level in his maiden Intercontinental Cup, Raoul Mendy won the Rising Star award. His story captured hearts in Russia, and his performances helped the Lions of Teranga jump to fifth in the world.

Best Coach

Mikhail Likhachev (Russia)

Mikhail Likhachev of Russia, who saw off all the world’s top teams to claim the 2021 FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup, was awarded the Best Coach. His other achievements this year included winning the EBSL Division A Regular Phase and of course the Intercontinental Cup in Dubai. It is the second time that Likhachev has won this award, the first being in 2014.

Best Goal

Nicolae Ignat (Moldova)

Anyone who saw Nicolae Ignat’s goal at the EBSL Regular Phase in Moldova will have no doubt thought in that moment that the incredible volley must be a Goal of the Year contender. Well, it was. The public voted and the Moldovan number 11 was the deserving winner of this special award.

Best Event

FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup Russia 2021

With so many incredible events taking place in 2021, it was always going to be difficult to select a winner. However, few were surprised when the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup Russia 2021 was announced. Alex Alaev, Secretary General of the RFU, accepted the award and said that the success of the event and the award was a “dream come true.”