Day 5 of the 2022 IBSA Goalball World Championships uncovered the four remaining unbeaten national teams in both competitions, men and women.

From group A (women) to group D (men), Canada, Israel, Brazil, and China are the magnificent four that are leading the standings so far, half way through the stage group.

Let’s start with the women’s competition and the two matches that gave the audience a permanent wish for more. Actually, in the schedule, one followed the other. First, Japan vs Israel. Both hadn’t tasted defeat yet, so this was like a clash of titans. The ball started with Japan, and, as usual, Norika Hagiwara scored on her first throw. The match stood balanced for almost all of the regular time, but everything was decided in the last minute for Israel (8-6).

After that, and with everyone’s mind still processing the great match before, came Canada and Turkyie, also two unbeaten teams so far, in another clash of the titans, part 2. This time, the Turkish women can blame themselves for the unfocused final minute of the match, when they conceded four goals without any reply.

In the meantime, Brazil got its first victory in the tournament, in the Portuguese spoken match against Portugal.

Regarding men, China had some troubles to overcome Iran. Actually, the Persian team were leading the score for a long period of the match, but the Chinese squad showed nerves of steel and made the turn the score in its favour.

Brazil had way fewer troubles than China in defeating its opponent, Canada. Turkiye, for example, felt more difficulties in beating the eternal African champion, Algeria, which is facing Canada this Monday.

Check all the results of Day 5 and the schedule for Day 6:

Day 5, 11th December
Men (Main hall)
Argentina vs Egypt: 9-8
China vs Iran: 7-5
Lithuania vs United States: 12-2
Ukraine vs Colombia: 10-0
Algeria vs Turkiye: 3-4
Japan vs Belgium: 13-3
Portugal vs Germany: 2-8
Brazil vs Canada: 13-3

Women (Hall 2)
Brazil vs Portugal: 10-0
Great Britain vs Egypt: 10-0
USA vs Australia: 9-1
Japan vs Israel: 6-8
Turkiye vs Canada: 7-12
Korea vs Denmark: 11-9
Algeria vs Argentina: 14-4
Mexico vs France: 7-17

Day 6, 12th December (CET)
Women (Main hall)
10 am – Denmark vs Algeria
11.10 am – France vs Turkiye
12.20 pm – Canada vs Korea
1.30 pm – Argentina vs Mexico
2.40 pm – Israel vs Brazil
3.50 pm – Portugal vs Great Britain
5 pm – Egypt vs USA
6.10 pm – Australia vs Japan

Men (Hall 2)
10 am – Turkiye vs Japan
11.10 am – Canada vs Algeria
12.20 pm – Belgium vs Portugal
1.30 pm – Germany vs Brazil
2.40 pm – Egypt vs China
3.50 pm – Iran vs Lithuania
5 pm – USA vs Ukraine
6.10 pm – Colombia vs Argentina

Groups standings (A & B, women – C & D, men)

Group A

Group B

Group C

Group D