National beach soccer team honored at Belarus’ NOC

A ceremony to honor the national beach soccer team, which placed fourth at the 2024 FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup, took place at the National Olympic Committee (NOC) of Belarus on 12 March.

The players and coaching staff under Nicolas Alvarado were congratulated by President of the NOC of Belarus Viktor Lukashenko and Belarusian Sports and Tourism Minister Sergei Kovalchuk.

The Belarus NOC president emphasized that at the 2024 FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup in the United Arab Emirates the Belarusian national team made a real triumph by showing great performance:

“Unfortunately, the achievements of our national teams can be counted on the fingers of one hand. What you accomplished at the World Cup and earlier at the 2nd CIS Games, the 2nd European Games, the places you got and the performance you showed, is a prime example of how one should do one’s job. he performance and attitude you demonstrate in a truly sporting feat,” Viktor Lukashenko said. “Not only the players, but also the coaching staff, the administrative team, medical workers, as well as relatives, friends and fans were involved in this success. The whole country watched your matches with great interest and rooted for you. And you kept us on the edge of our chairs.”

He also praised FIFA’s stance, thanks to which the team performed under the national symbols, and wished the players strong health, good luck, success and new victories.

Sports and Tourism Minister Sergei Kovalchuk said that the Belarusian beach soccer team reached the world level thanks to the athletes’ love for their country and its people.

“Thanks to your brilliant performance at the World Cup, you have earned thousands or even hundreds of thousands of fans who may have known nothing about beach soccer as well as such a great team of Belarus before. You were close to medals. I am sure that the players and coaches will draw conclusions from the frustrating defeats at the tournament. You are still young, you have every opportunity to prove your worth. The main thing is to keep the backbone of the team, the spirit it has to represent the country at such a high level many times.

Our national team had one goal - to become champions,” Sergei Kovalchuk said. “The last years have shown that the team has a great potential, that it has gathered in its ranks true soccer fans, people devoted to this sport and loving their country.”

Ihar Bryshtsel, the 2024 World Cup top goalscorer, shared his thoughts:

“I have got mixed feelings. On the one hand, finishing fourth is a great success. On the other hand, we were going to the tournament for medals, so there is some sadness and disappointment. However, such performance gives motivation: the players believed in themselves and in the fact that they can play on par with any country. The main task for today is to gear up for the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup qualifiers. I hope the next tournament will be successful for us.”

Head coach Nicolas Alvarado also expressed his words of gratitude:

“I want to thank the team for the result we have shown. It will help us draw conclusions to move forward and achieve the goals we are dreaming of. The World Cup featured the world’s best teams who had been preparing for this event for many years. We managed to beat several teams from the top four of the previous World Cup edition. We gained invaluable experience. Yes, the last match was not what we would have liked it to be: we lacked intensity and failed in defense. I would like to say many thanks to the fans, whose support was felt both in the stands and from many thousands of kilometers away. Many thanks to the president of the Republic of Belarus, the NOC of Belarus and the Sports and Tourism Ministry. In general, I am happy with the result, but looking at this team of talented players, I understand that we can achieve more,” the Spanish specialist said.

The museum of the NOC of Belarus got a ball signed by the players who have made a real breakthrough in Belarusian and world beach soccer.

For reference:

On 15-25 February 2024, Dubai, the UAE hosted the 22nd Beach Soccer World Cup since its establishment and the 7th one under the auspices of FIFA. The Belarusian national team qualified for the finals of the prestigious tournament twice - in 2019, 2021. However, it was the 2024 edition that became truly historic for our team and the entire country. The national team secured the right to play in the playoffs for the first time. Showing brilliant performance, the team beat strong opponents from Senegal, Japan, Colombia, and Portugal, and reached the semis. Following the bronze-medal match against Iran, Belarus made it to the Top Four of the 2024 Beach Soccer World Cup.

Individual nominations following the 2024 FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup:
Head coach of the national beach soccer team Nicolas Alvarado made the list of the world’s best coaches in the season 2024.

Ihar Bryshtsel, a striker of the national beach soccer team, was named the World Cup top scorer with 12 goals, was recognized the best player in the matches against Japan, Colombia and Portugal, and made it into the Top Three Players of the 2024 FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup.

Aleh Hapon, a striker of the national beach soccer team, was recognized by FIFA as the best player in the match against Senegal.

Press service of the NOC of Belarus
Photos by the NOC of Belarus