Honor is more important than medals: Estonian team refuses to play Belarus in Euroleague quarterfinals

Honor is more important than medals: the Estonian team refused to play Belarus in the Euroleague quarterfinals Denis Ivanenko

The Estonian national team refused to play Belarus/Photo BSWW

The 2024 Euroleague Beach Soccer Super Final began in Italy on September 10. The organizers shamefully decided not to disqualify the Belarusian team from this tournament, which plays without restrictions with its symbols.

Following the results of the group stage, Russia's ally country received the right to play in the quarterfinals of the tournament. After the draw, the Belarusian team's opponent was the Estonian team.

An uncompromising position that commands respect

This match was supposed to take place on September 13. However, this did not happen – the Estonians refused to participate in the match even at the cost of disqualification.

Estonia was supposed to play against Belarus in the quarterfinals, but the Estonian beach soccer team will not play against the Belarusian team. The corresponding decision had already been made earlier, since theoretically a meeting between the teams was possible in previous editions of the tournament. Today, this position was confirmed once again, – the AFE statement says.

Reference. Thus, Belarus advanced to the semifinals thanks to a technical victory. For Estonia, the tournament will continue with games for 5th-8th places.

Recall that the Ukrainian team is also boycotting the competition due to the admission of Belarus. In particular, the “blue-yellows” have not taken part in two world championships.