The greatest news from the semifinals day of the 2023 IBSA Goalball European Championships is the direct qualification for Paris 2024 of the Israel women’s national team.

They managed to defeat Great Britain’s squad (9-0) in the first women’s semifinal, and one hour later, when Türkiye defeated Greece (9-2) in the other semifinal, setting the final between the victorious teams, came the celebration. The Turkish ladies were already qualified for being the current world champion, so no matter what happens tomorrow in the final, the slot for Paris 2024 is always for Israel. The outcome of the final will only decide who will be the new European champion.

In the last European in Samson, Türkiye (2021), both teams played with each other for a place in the final, and the host squad won with a single goal difference (7-6). Türkiye, then, lost the final to Russia in a very tight win (5-4), and Israel got the bronze medal, defeating Denmark 10-0!

This time, this women’s true European clash of titans will be for the gold, getting the continental title that both have been pursuing for quite some time.

Great Britain and Greece will fight for bronze this Saturday.

Regarding the men’s competition, the Podgorica final is the same as it was in Samson 2021. Ukraine and Lithuania will meet once more, this time not only for the gold and consequent continental title but also for the qualification to Paris 2024. No points for second place in this case!

Lithuania had an incredible road to the final, having presented themselves in amazing condition, probably the strongest in competition. Genrik and his teammates defeated Türkiye 11-1, ending the match three minutes after halftime. Ukraine defeated Israel (7-3) in the other semifinal, but they conceived the only victory of the home team in the tournament during the stage group.

The men’s bronze medal match will played between Israel and Türkiye.

Expectations are high for tomorrow, the time for the final decisions.

Check out the results of the semifinals and the schedule for the finals (CET):

Friday, 15th
Women
5th-8th
Finland vs Germany: 3-2
Ukraine vs France: 1-4
Semifinals
Israel vs Great Britain: 9-0
Türkiye vs Greece: 9-2
Men
5th-8th
Germany vs Greece: 13-7
Great Britain vs Finland: 6-8
Semifinals
Ukraine vs Israel: 7-3
Lithuania vs Türkiye: 11-1
9th-10th
Belgium vs Montenegro: 7-2

Saturday, 16th
Finals
Women
7th place
8 am – Germany vs Ukraine
5th place
9.15 am – Finland vs France
Bronze
1 pm – Great Britain vs Greece
GOLD
4 pm – Israel vs Türkiye
Men
7th place
10.30 am – Greece vs Great Britain
5th place
11.45 am – Germany vs Finland 
Bronze
2.30 pm – Israel vs Türkiye
GOLD
5.30 pm – Ukraine vs Lithuania