Russia start as favourites for European glory

After losing on penalties to Ukraine four years ago, Russia responded by winning the world title in 2011 and Paralympic gold in 2012.

Russia will be looking to add European glory to their Paralympic and world titles when the 2014 CPISRA Football 7-a-side European Championships kicks off this Wednesday (23 July) in Maia, Portugal.

Eleven teams, drawn into three groups, will battle it out for the top prize with the two finalists qualifying for the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games.

Drawn in Group B, Russia will start as strong favourites in the competition and will be looking to go one step further than the silver they won at the 2010 European Championships.

After losing on penalties to Ukraine four years ago, Russia responded by winning the world title in 2011 and Paralympic gold in 2012.

At London 2012 they scored a whopping 23 goals, conceded just two, and edged past Ukraine 1-0 in the final, thanks to a Eduard Romanov goal.

Also drawn in Group B are Scotland, who are currently ranked eighth in the world, Northern Ireland, who are 15th, and Germany, who are 23rd and will make their international debut in the tournament.

Paralympic silver medallists and defending champions Ukraine have been drawn in Group C and have been in great form over the last 12 months.

At the 2013 Football-7-a-side Intercontinental Cup in Barcelona, Spain, they hammered Ireland 9-0 in the semi-finals before beating Brazil 1-0 in the final.

In Group C they will face 2015 World Cup hosts England and current hosts Portugal.

Group A is made up of the Netherlands, who finished fifth at London 2012; Ireland, who took bronze in 2010; Finland, who finished 15th at the 2011 World Championships and Denmark, who are currently ranked 21st in the world.

After the group phase, the eight best teams will proceed to the quarter finals. The final will be played on 2 August.

For more information on the tournament, visit the official website of the 2014 Football 7-a-side European Championships.