Schedule for Pajulahti 2017 released

The competition schedule for the 2017 IBSA Goalball European Championships, set to take place at the Pajulahti Sports Institute in Lahti, Finland, from 18-22 September, has been released, with the top 10 men’s and women’s teams participating.

In the men’s event, London 2012 gold medallists Finland will be joined in a tough-looking group B by reigning Paralympic champions Lithuania, Belgium, Sweden and Slovenia. Germany was drawn in Group A with Turkey, Great Britain, Ukraine and Czech Republic.

Ukraine will face Czech Republic in the opening game of the Europeans, whilst hosts Finland will make their debut against Belgium.

Finnish goalball legend Erkki Miinala said: “All five teams in our pool have gone through some changes, which is normal the year after the Paralympics. Lithuania is the big favourite, but they are definitely not invincible.”

After winning gold at the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games, Turkey will start as the strong favourites for gold in the women’s event. They will share Group X with Israel, Sweden, Great Britain and Germany. Group Y will be made up of Russia, Ukraine, Denmark, Finland and Greece.

Turkey will begin their quest for gold in Lahti against Sweden, whilst Finland will face Ukraine.

In both the men’s and women’s competitions, the four top teams from each pool will qualify for the quarter-finals.

Full schedule is available on the event’s website.