The Russian Men’s Beach Soccer Championship concluded with a shift in power as the men’s team of Кристалл saw its five-year title run come to an end, according to reports. While the club’s women’s team captured both national gold and the Super Cup, and the youth squad posted strong results, the senior men’s team finished with the bronze medals after falling short in the semifinals.
Kristall’s Semifinal Exit Against Saratov
According to tournament coverage, Kristall finished second in the regular season standings, level on points with their primary rival, Lokomotiv Moscow. That placement earned both powerhouse clubs direct berths into the semifinal round.
Waiting for Kristall in the final four was Saratov. The Volga region side had previously faced the Petersburg club in May during the Russian Super Cup, where Kristall claimed victory. This time, however, Saratov dictated the tempo of the match. In the third period, Saratov built a 4–2 advantage. Although Kristall responded with a goal from Yaroslav Prudnikov and launched a late offensive surge, the team could not complete the comeback.
“The opponent took the ball today, and we ran a lot without it,” Kristall captain Igor Brishtel said following the match, as reported by regional media. “We defended a lot and combined very little. As it seemed to me, we also dropped physically. The Volga players simply outran us. The game as a whole came down to a goal: whoever scored would win.”
The semifinal defeat marked the first time since 2020 that the orange-clad squad failed to reach the championship final.
Bouncing Back for Bronze Against Lokomotiv
The match ended level at 3–3 after regulation and extra periods, sending the decision to a penalty shootout. There, Kristall goalkeeper Alexander Besedin stepped up to secure the result, stopping two shots from Lokomotiv’s penalty takers.
“It was difficult to tune in,” Besedin admitted after the victory. “This is not the result we expected. We wanted to end the championship on a good note and prove to ourselves that we can, that we are a real family and team. Today’s victory is a well-deserved third place.”
Club-Wide Success Amid Senior Transition
Regional reports noted that Kristall’s women’s team secured gold medals and the national Super Cup, while the club’s youth setup continued to develop prospects who performed strongly throughout the competition.
