Sunday was the final day of the 2013 IBSA Parapan Games and World Youth Championships. This was the day where all the medalists were decided. There were some really close and exciting matches which led to a great finals day.
 
The mens final was a see-sawing match between the two finalists of Canada and the USA. Both teams were in the lead at different points throughout the match. It was a very close game with one team edging ahead and then the other making a couple of quick goals and taking over the lead. At half time it was 4-3 for Canada and therefore the game was impossible to predict with a full half to go. With three minutes remaining on the clock the match was still undecided. USA was in the lead 6-5. However, Canada was far from ready to give up and rightfully so. Three goals by Canada in the last three minutes and tight defense led to Canada winning 8-6.
 
The bronze medal went to Brazil who had a very comprehensive 10-0 win over Argentina.
 
In the women’s final, it was another match where the USA women were defending very well. Not a single goal made it past them in the final but they were able to get two goals past their opponent, Brazil. Final score was 2-0. The bronze medal went to Canada.
 
Judging by the results in the World Youth Championships medal matches, we can only hope that the teams keep on developing at the same rate because there were many exciting and tight matches on finals day.
 
The Japanese male team showed that we shouldn’t only be talking about the senior women’s team because there is a developing youth male team out to also take top honours on the world stage. Japan won the gold medal with a comfortable 8-5 win over the USA. The bronze medal came down to one goal with Brazil in front 8-7 over Canada.
 
Russia finished the world youth female division undefeated. Their last few matches were not as comfortable as the pool matches but they walked away with the gold after defeating Brazil 9-7. The bronze medal match was a very close one. Host nation USA eventually took the bronze after defeating a fighting Australian team 3-2.
 
In all, it was a very successful tournament for the host nation. They finished the tournament with a medal for each of their competing teams, 1 gold, 2 silver and 1 bronze.
 
IBSA Goalball would like to thank USABA for hosting this tournament. Also, a special thank you to all officials, referees and volunteers. Congratulations to the four gold medalists from Russia, Japan, USA and Canada. Finally, great effort to all the competing teams. You all contributed to a great four days of Goalball and some very exciting and memorable matches.
 
World Youth Male
Bronze medal – Canada 7 vs Brazil 8
Gold medal – Japan 8 vs USA 5
 
World Youth Female
Bronze medal – USA 3 vs Australia 2
Gold medal – Russia 9 vs Brazil 7
 
Parapan American Men
Bronze medal– Argentina 0 vs Brazil 10
Gold medal – USA 6 vs Canada 8
 
Parapan American Women
Gold medal – USA 2 vs Brazil 0