The match schedule for goalball at Tokyo 2020 has been published as the countdown for the Paralympic Games enters double figures.

Action gets underway at the Makuhari Messe Hall C on 25 August – the day after the Opening Ceremony– and runs until 3 September.

The full schedule can be viewed at Tokyo 2020’s website. Ten men’s and ten women’s teams will compete for a place on the podium.

Opening the competition will be an incredible tie between defending champions Lithuania and world title-holders Brazil in a stacked Pool A.

Five years ago in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Lithuania grabbed their first Paralympic win to follow on from two previous silvers. However two years later, they found themselves out of podium contention at the 2018 World Championships in Malmo, Sweden. That victory went to Brazil, doubling-up on their performance from 2014 after beating Lithuania by just one goal in the semi-finals.

In addition to Brazil and Lithuania, Pool A features 2016 silver medallists the USA, African champions Algeria and hosts Japan.

In the women’s, Canada will face a tough tie against world champions Russia who compete as RPC in Pool C. Canada have an impressive record at the Paralympics having picked up five medals since 1984. RPC however are on a roll, taking to the court off the back of their first Worlds win in 2018.

Elsewhere in the schedule on the opening day both Japanese teams will begin their campaigns to claim a home medal. The women will take on reigning champions Turkey whilst the men will face African champions Algeria.

Matches between European champions Germany and Turkey in the men’s and Israel v Australia and Brazil v USA in the women’s will conclude a tantalising first day of action in Tokyo.

Germany reached the World Championships podium for the first time since 1990 in Malmo before going on to claim home gold at the Euros in Rostock in 2019.

The USA secured their latest Paralympic medal in 2016 with bronze, whilst Brazil bagged their first World Championships podium in 2018 with bronze.

The group stages run from 25-30 August before the quarter-finals commence on 31 August.

Men’s Pool A
Brazil
Algeria
USA
Japan
Lithuania

Men’s Pool B
Germany
Belgium
Ukraine
China
Turkey

Women’s Pool C
RPC
Israel
China
Australia
Canada

Women’s Pool D
Turkey
Brazil
Egypt
USA
Japan