The Tribune

By RENALDO DORSETT

Sports Reporter

rdorsett@tribunemedia.net

THE Bahamas men’s national team had their first opportunity to compete against elite competition during their European Tour as they continue preparation for the 2017 FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup.

The Bahamas finished third at the Beach Soccer Worldwide sanctioned - 2016 Nation’s Cup in Linz, Austria.

Team Bahamas defeated Slovakia 6-4 in the third place game Sunday night at the event which also featured the host country and the Czech Republic.

The Bahamas opened competition with a 3-2 loss to the Czechs, while Austria also defeated Slovakia 3-2 on opening day.

The defending champion Czechs, following their advancement to the second leg of the Euro Beach Soccer League, went on to win the Cup with a 2-0 shutout of Austria.

The tournament held true to form as the Czech Republic came in as the highest ranked team of the group at 36, Austria second at 51, the Bahamas ranked third at 56 and Slovakia fourth at 70.

The Czechs, Germany and Tahiti have all won the competition in Linz recently while Hungary claimed the title in Prague four years ago.

The Bahamas left for Switzerland on July 11 and will travel throughout Europe for a six-week training camp.

“This camp is obviously very significant in our preparation. In order for the team to compete at the World Cup in the top level of beach soccer, the camp will expose them to several of the top teams in Europe and that will give the guys an idea of what they have to measure themselves against as the rest of the world arrives to the Bahamas. Four of those teams out of Europe will likely be here so it will be an early test,” said Fred Lunn, secretary general of the BFA.

“We’re 6-7 months away from the draw, which is going to be significant for us when they name the countries that are coming. We will have a few other events prior to that that will be hosted at a world-class level so I think the team is starting to become aware of the magnitude of this event. The trip to Europe is a realisation for all of them and for us.

The FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup is scheduled to be held in Nassau April 27 to May 7, 2017.

The Bahamas got its first taste of what’s in store for them in 2017 in April when they played a friendly match against No. 6-ranked Switzerland in Nassau as part of the Kalik Light Cup. The team finished 13-3 on day one and stepped it up to finish 9-6 on day two.

According to officials, the 2017 FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup will feature 16 countries that will qualify to field full teams for matches that take place over an extended 10-day period. Each team will bring a complement of 25 persons or more. Because of the length of the competition, economic benefits are being touted as in the multi-millions of dollars.

FIFA is known for the positive imprint it leaves on communities and its top officials hinted The Bahamas would continue to benefit as it has with contributions that include the beach soccer field on the harbourfront near the Paradise Island Bridge, the only one of its kind worldwide.