Today sees the opening and first match at the IBSA Blind Football European Qualifier and Division 2 Championships in Bacau, Romania.

The tournament is the first ever regional second division competition in blind football, demonstrating the strength and growth of the game in Europe. The top two teams will qualify for the IBSA Blind Football European Championships in Berlin, Germany, in August 2017.

Despite disappointing news from Belarus, who in the end are unable to take part in the competition due to financial difficulties, the event will bring together seven national teams, many of them newcomers to the international blind football scene.

The tournament is hosted by the Romanian Paralympic Committee. 

Following the technical meeting this morning the competition schedule is now confirmed. Romania, Georgia, Albania and Ireland are in Group A, while Group B now has three teams – Greece, Czech Republic and Moldova.

The tournament kicks off this afternoon with an opening ceremony at 16:00 local time, followed by the first match, which pits hosts Romania against Ireland, who will make their international debut.

Match schedule

Monday April 3rd
 
16:30 Romania vs Ireland
 
Tuesday April 4th
 
09:30 Georgia vs Albania
16:00 Czech Republic vs Moldova
 
Wednesday April 5th
 
09:30 Romania vs Georgia
15:30 Ireland vs Albania
17:30 Greece vs Czech Republic
 
Thursday April 6th
 
09:30 Ireland vs Georgia
15:30 Romania vs Albania
17:30 Greece vs Moldova
 
Friday April 7th
 
09:00 Semi-final 1, 1st group A vs 2nd group B
11:00 Semi-final 2, 2nd group A vs 1st group B
 
Saturday April 8th
 
09:00-12:00 Placement matches 5th-7th places 
15:30 3rd-4th place play-off – loser semi-final 1 vs loser semi-final 2
17:30 Final – winner semi-final 1 vs winner semi-final 2
19:30 Trophy and medal presentation ceremony

Follow all the action from Bacau in the coming days here or on the IBSA Blind Football Facebook group.