A 5-2 victory for RFU over Japan in the final was the culmination of a fantastic tournament which saw a number of records broken, providing FIFA’s Technical Study Group (TSG) with plenty to analyse.

Led by FIFA Beach Soccer technical experts Claude Barrabe and Matteo Marrucci, along with FIFA goalkeeping specialist Pascal Zuberbühler and Chris Loxston (Group Leader Football Performance Analysis & Insights), the TSG have delivered their technical analysis from the 11th edition of the Beach Soccer World Cup. The first phase of this analysis is now available.

Prior to Russia 2021, the TSG created a Beach Soccer Analysis Framework to provide the foundation for the tournament analysis, offering an unparalleled level of data in Beach Soccer. Combined with expert technical analysis, this data seeks to challenge or support the perceptions of game play and individual participation.

With extensive data collected from all 32 matches in Russia, this is the first time such a level of data has been implemented in Beach Soccer. The timing of such innovation was ideal as a staggering 302 goals were scored across the 32 matches played (an average of 9.44 goals per match), as Russia 2021 smashed all previous goalscoring records. Those figures are just scratching the surface however on a captivating tournament ripe for discussion and analysis.

Runners-up Japan produced their best-ever finish in the tournament and third-placed Switzerland came within a whisker of beating the eventual champions in the semi-finals, as three of their players walked away with individual honours - Noël Ott (Golden Ball), Glenn Hodel (Golden Scorer) and Eliott Mounoud (Golden Glove). Senegal meanwhile captured the hearts of many as they finished fourth; the first African nation to reach the semi-finals at the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup.

TSG experts Barrabe, Marrucci and Zuberbühler have delved into the data and performances, including a look at the impact of the new four-second rule for goalkeepers.

Every second of every game is dissected in a wide range of articles which can now be accessed on the FIFA Training Centre by navigating to the “Tournament observations” section at the bottom of “The Game” page.