Slovenia and Denmark named goalball European B champions

Slovenia’s men and Denmark’s women both overcame Swedish opposition to be crowned goalball European B champions. 01 Oct 2014
Imagen
Karina JORGENSEN, Denmark releases the ball

Karina Jorgensen of Denmark releases the ball at the London 2012 Paralympic Games

ⒸIPC
By IPC

Slovenia’s men and Denmark’s women were crowned champions at the 2014 European Goalball Championships Men and Women B in Budapest, Hungary, on Tuesday (30 September).

With all the finalists already having won promotion back to division A, it left just the medals up for grabs. It was anguish for Sweden, with both their men and women’s sides tasting defeat.

Slovenia, who had finished second in pool B behind Sweden, put 10 past Israel in the semi-final and looked the most confident going into the gold medal game.

Sweden were also looking strong, having beaten Ukraine 4-3 in their semi-final. But Slovenia’s high-scoring streak continued into the final and they proved too strong for the Scandinavians, winning 8-5 to scoop the gold medal.

In the women’s competition, Sweden were the favourites entering the final after finishing top in the pool phase, beating Denmark in the process.

Having beaten hosts Hungary 2-0 in the semi-finals, the Swedes also boasted one of the meanest defences, but Denmark were able to exact their revenge in emphatic style, claiming gold in a 6-2 victory.

The bronze medal games arguably had more at stake, with the winners not only taking third place, but also the last promotion position to division A.

Having already lost to Israel in the pool phase, Ukraine’s men were out to prove themselves and took the glory in a resounding 10-4 victory.

And in the women’s competition the home crowd were left disappointed as Greece narrowly edged out hosts Hungary 2-1.

For more information on the competition, or to see the final standings, visit the event website.