The game schedule for the much anticipated return of goalball at the 2021 International Blind Sports Federation (IBSA) Goalball European Championships B in Lahti, Finland, has been released.

The event from 3-6 June will be the first time a ball has been thrown in an official international competition since March last year.

Ten men’s and six women’s teams are due to compete for promotion to the A pool.

As is traditional, the hosts will open the women’s competition with a game against Hungary on 3 June. Greece and Romania will get the tournament underway in the men’s on the same day in the first group A game. Sweden and Italy will run out in group B.

All teams will play one morning and afternoon game each on the opening two days before the knock-out stages commence on 5 June.

The full game schedule can be viewed by clicking here.

Greece, Portugal, Israel and Russia make-up group A of the competition whilst Sweden, Poland, Great Britain and Montenegro will form group B. Romania and Italy will take the final places in group A and B respectively, as substitutes for the Czech Republic and Slovenia who have not taken up their spots.

In the women’s hosts Finland, Denmark, Spain, France, Poland and Hungary will play in one group ahead of semi-finals and finals. Paris 2024 Paralympic Games hosts France are just one of the teams hoping for a strong performance as they aim to showcase the huge strides made in goalball in the country in recent years.

The top three finishers will be promoted to the A pool in Europe and get the chance to qualify for the 2022 IBSA Goalball World Championships in Hangzhou, China, and the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games.

The Local Organising Committee has published updated safety measures for the tournament, confirming that they will adhere to national government guidance at the time.

COVID-secure protocols from IBSA Goalball, published in ‘Back to Competition