So How Did That Beach Soccer World Cup Come Out?

July 29th, 2008 | by: Laurie | View Comments

Great post over at BigSoccer that asks the all-important question: Why is the Beach Soccer World Cup held every year?

The writer thinks it’s because it’s a FIFA boondoggle business event. I’m thinking it’s because these players don’t have day jobs with clubs like Barcelona and ManU who whine every time they go off to represent their country.

Probably both.

Whatever the reason, this is Beach Soccer. Are we really complaining?

The Beach Soccer World Cup finished on Sunday. I could have written about it yesterday, but basically? I was too lazy. But now that I’ve had time to think about it, I believe it’s never too late to point out that Italy lost we have new World Champions.

Yea, Brazil! They beat Italy in the finals, 5-3.

It’s not exactly a surprise that Brazil won. There have been four FIFA Beach Soccer World Cups, and Brazil has won three. Before that? Ten Beach Soccer World Championships (before it became a FIFA thing,) and Brazil won nine. Of the two competitions not won by Brazil, France took it in 2005 and Portugal in 2001.

So we can’t really say that Brazil were underdogs.

And congratulations to Portugal, who beat Spain 5-4 for third place.

But what is Beach Soccer, really, except for an excuse to view photos of half-clothed men and women in the sand highly-trained, professional athletes?

So here you go.