MINSK, 25 June (BelTA) - The National Olympic Committee (NOC) of Belarus played host to a ceremony to honor the Belarusian national beach soccer team on 25 June, BelTA has learned.
Belarus secured the best result in the country's history winning silver at the 2025 Beach Soccer World Cup in Seychelles in May. In the group stage, Belarus beat the hosts of the tournament (6-3), and also the national teams of Japan (6-3) and Guatemala (12-3). In the playoffs, the team of Belarus solved Iran (4-3) and Senegal (5-2), but lost to Brazil (3-4). Belarus’ goalkeeper Mikhail Augustov was named the best goalkeeper of the championship. Belarus’ forward Ihal Bryshtsel became the top scorer and took second place in the voting for the title of the best player of the tournament.
“Many say that Belarus created a sensation, because Belarusian athletes are not so strong in team games. I wouldn’t call it a surprise though, because we demonstrated an outstanding game at all stages of the tournament. If it were not for the unfortunate bump in the final, we do not know how it would have ended,” President of the NOC of Belarus Viktor Lukashenko said. “Talent multiplied by hard work yields results, and our team is a vivid example of it. It is impossible to win alone. Everything was made possible thanks to the coaches, staff and fans. The entire country contributed to this success. I would like to thank FIFA for the opportunity to play featuring the country’s coat of arms and singing the country’s anthem. I am sure there are still many victories ahead. We will be supporting you.”
Money prizes, valuable gifts as well as the international master of sport title were bestowed upon players Vadzim Bokach, Ivan Kanstantsinau, Aleh Hapon, Yahor Hardzetski, Ihal Bryshtsel, Uladzimir Ustsinovich, Artsemi Drozd, Mikhail Augustov, Yauheni Novikau, Yury Piatrouski, Mikita Tchaikouski and Anatoliy Ryabko. The coaching staff led by head coach Nicolas Alvarado and the team's medical staff were also awarded.
“The second place for Belarus is also a victory. If someone had said 20 or 30 years ago that Brazil and Belarus would play in the World Cup final, everyone would have thought it was a dream. But it became a reality,” Belarusian Sport and Tourism Minister Sergei Kovalchuk said. “Thanks to discipline, teamwork and respect for compatriots, this team proudly carried the flag of the country on the international stage, showing representatives of other team sports that anything is possible. Our team developed every season, securing one victory at the world cups of 2019 and 2021 each, then fourth place in 2024, and now we have second place. The game is beautiful, the system is working, and we need to move forward.”
Belarus secured the best result in the country's history winning silver at the 2025 Beach Soccer World Cup in Seychelles in May. In the group stage, Belarus beat the hosts of the tournament (6-3), and also the national teams of Japan (6-3) and Guatemala (12-3). In the playoffs, the team of Belarus solved Iran (4-3) and Senegal (5-2), but lost to Brazil (3-4). Belarus’ goalkeeper Mikhail Augustov was named the best goalkeeper of the championship. Belarus’ forward Ihal Bryshtsel became the top scorer and took second place in the voting for the title of the best player of the tournament.
“Many say that Belarus created a sensation, because Belarusian athletes are not so strong in team games. I wouldn’t call it a surprise though, because we demonstrated an outstanding game at all stages of the tournament. If it were not for the unfortunate bump in the final, we do not know how it would have ended,” President of the NOC of Belarus Viktor Lukashenko said. “Talent multiplied by hard work yields results, and our team is a vivid example of it. It is impossible to win alone. Everything was made possible thanks to the coaches, staff and fans. The entire country contributed to this success. I would like to thank FIFA for the opportunity to play featuring the country’s coat of arms and singing the country’s anthem. I am sure there are still many victories ahead. We will be supporting you.”
Money prizes, valuable gifts as well as the international master of sport title were bestowed upon players Vadzim Bokach, Ivan Kanstantsinau, Aleh Hapon, Yahor Hardzetski, Ihal Bryshtsel, Uladzimir Ustsinovich, Artsemi Drozd, Mikhail Augustov, Yauheni Novikau, Yury Piatrouski, Mikita Tchaikouski and Anatoliy Ryabko. The coaching staff led by head coach Nicolas Alvarado and the team's medical staff were also awarded.
“The second place for Belarus is also a victory. If someone had said 20 or 30 years ago that Brazil and Belarus would play in the World Cup final, everyone would have thought it was a dream. But it became a reality,” Belarusian Sport and Tourism Minister Sergei Kovalchuk said. “Thanks to discipline, teamwork and respect for compatriots, this team proudly carried the flag of the country on the international stage, showing representatives of other team sports that anything is possible. Our team developed every season, securing one victory at the world cups of 2019 and 2021 each, then fourth place in 2024, and now we have second place. The game is beautiful, the system is working, and we need to move forward.”
According to the minister, the country’s leadership, together with the NOC and the Sport and Tourism Ministry, decided to approve the presidential scholarship, which members of the national beach soccer team will be receiving regularly within a span of two years.
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