Lithuania, Russia claim European goalball golds

Lithuania’s powerhouse men’s goalball team defeated Spain in a penalty shoot-out to capture the European title. 10 Nov 2013
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Lithuania's men's goalball team

Lithuania's men's goalball team rejoices after scoring a goal.

ⒸGetty Images
By IPC

After finishing in a disappointing fourth place at the London 2012 Paralympic Games, there was no better way for Lithuania to start their road to Rio 2016 than capturing another European title.

Lithuania provided a thrilling ending to the IBSA Goalball European Championships on Saturday (9 November) in Konya, Turkey, defeating Spain 4-2 in a penalty shoot-out to win the men’s gold-medal game.

The score was knotted 1-1 following regulation and neither team put up points in overtime, but then Lithuania showcased why they’re still one of the best in the world in goalball, having won every major international title except for that elusive Paralympic gold.

Earlier in the tournament, Lithuania defeated defending Paralympic champions Finland in the quarter-finals, making their success that much sweeter.

After finishing in a disappointing fourth place at the London 2012 Paralympic Games, there was no better way for Lithuania to start their road to Rio 2016 than capturing another European title.

In the women’s gold-medal game, a veteran Russian squad was able to hold off host nation Turkey, using their top-notch defence to cruise to a 4-2 victory.

In 2011, Russia lost the European gold-medal game by just one goal, so there was no better way for them to finish the tournament. Turkey, meanwhile, deemed their campaign in Konya successful after having just won the European B division title only a year ago.

Israel’s women’s goalball team won their first European Championship medal with a 5-3 win over Finland in the bronze-medal game. In the men’s bronze-medal match, Turkey defeated Germany 4-3 to win their first-ever medal at a European Championships as well.