Big Guns to go Head-to-Head at Wheelchair Rugby Euros

In a repeat of the 2009 final, Sweden and Belgium will go head-to-head Friday (7 October) in the last day of Pool games at the International Wheelchair Rugby Federation (IWRF) European Championships in Nottwil, Switzerland.

Last time around, Belgium came out top to become crowned champions, however, after finishing fourth at last year’s World Championships, Sweden currently has the higher world ranking.

Both qualified for this weekend’s semi-finals Thursday with perfect records, having won all four of their games in Nottwil thus far. Sweden’s latest victory came against Finland – a 54-44 win – while Belgium eased past Denmark, 55-40.

In Thursday’s other Pool A game, Austria picked up its first win with a 55-40 drubbing of the Netherlands.

A lot still has to be decided on the final day of games in Pool B.

Great Britain took away Germany’s final hope of making it to the London 2012 Paralympic Games with a 42-38 win Thursday. Germany had previously competed in the last three Paralympics, but will not be there next year as it can no longer qualify for the latter stages of the Europeans.

On Friday morning, Great Britain will face Poland, which beat Ireland on Thursday, 44-34, It will be a big game for both sides, as it is likely only the winner will move on to the semi-finals.

France, which beat hosts Switzerland, 43-43, on Thursday in a nail-biter, is also expected to progress to the semi-finals, providing it beats Ireland, which has yet to win a game.

Friday’s schedule consists of the final six pool games (all times CET):

8:30 Great Britain-Poland (Pool B)

10:30 Ireland-France (Pool B)

12:30 Finland-Austria (Pool A)

14:30 Denmark-Netherlands (Pool A)

16:30 Sweden-Belgium (Pool A)

18:30 Germany-Switzerland (Pool B)

Following pool games, medal-round games will commence on Saturday and conclude on Sunday. Three qualification spots for the London 2012 Paralympic Games are up for grabs for the medal winners, excluding Great Britain, which has automatically qualified for next year as the host nation.