2015 IBSA Blind Football European Championships kick off

Host Great Britain are coming off a strong showing from May’s World Games and will challenge defending champs Spain. 21 Aug 2015

The 2015 IBSA Blind Football European Championships will be held in Hereford, Great Britain, where the top two teams will automaticall qualify for the Rio 2016 Paralympics.

ⒸMelanie Chadd

By International Blind Sports Federation

Spain will look to defend their European title when the 2015 International Blind Sports Federation (IBSA) Blind Football European Championships kick off on Saturday (22 August) at Hereford, Great Britain.

They will be grouped with 2013 European silver medallist France, whom Spain defeated 1-0 for the European crown in Loano, Italy.

Meanwhile, host Great Britain will be the home favourite and are coming off a surprise performance from May’s IBSA World Games in Korea, where they nearly upset top-ranked Argentina in the gold-medal match.

Poland and Belgium will make their debut at the European Championships, making the event the biggest ever with 10 teams, which is up from eight in previous tournaments. Teams are split in two groups of five for the initial group stage.

In addition to the title of IBSA European Champion, there is the added incentive of a place at the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games, with the top two teams automatically qualifying.

Fixtures will be hosted at the Royal National College for the Blind (RNC) and live streamed.

Group A

Great Britain

Poland

Germany

Turkey

Italy

Group B

Spain

France

Russia