Curtain down for the stage group of the 2023 IBSA Goalball European Championships in Podgorica, Montenegro. For the last five days, 36 matches decided the fate of the 19 national teams playing for the continental title, some of them still dreaming of gold and a consequent slot in Paris 2024.

In the men’s competition, nothing is new for the leadership of Group A. Lithuania was still strong until the last breath, not even thinking of saving their strengths for the quarterfinals. They didn’t need to win over Belgium to keep first place, but they pressed full power mode once more and defeated the opponent 17-7.

Germany had its day off without hurting their second place already secured in the previous round. The news of this group was the match between Greece and Great Britain to define who would be 3rd and 4th, and the British squad took over the job pretty well, winning 5-2. Recently promoted to Division A, Great Britain came to stay!

In Group B, Ukraine was already first, no matter what, but Türkiye and Israel played for second place. The Turkish squad won by the minimum difference (5-4) in a very balanced match with uncertainty regarding the winner almost until the end.

Finland and the host team of Montenegro were running away from the last place in the group, and in the crucial moment, the Finnish boys, led by the 37-year-old legend Erkki Minala, author of seven of the 13 goals for Finland, managed to push the home team to the place nobody wanted to be.

Belgium and Montenegro already know that they are relegated to Division B due to the last positions of Groups A and B, respectively.

In the women’s tournament, Türkiye and Israel are indisputable leaders of Groups C and D, winning all the matches of the stage group. In Group C, Great Britain managed to secure second place only today, defeating Ukraine and gaining the position of the opponent before the match. Germany took the last place, but this group only had four teams, so all of them moved on to the quarterfinals.

In Group D, Greece had its second place in danger only if France defeated Finland in the last match of the day. The Finnish ladies didn’t allow it and won 7-2.

With the final standings and crossing the teams for the next knock-out stage, this Euro A at the Verde Complex in Podgorica, Montenegro, will have very hot matches in the quarterfinals.

Check out the results of Day 5, the final standings, and the schedule for the quarterfinals (CET):

Wednesday, 13th
Finland vs Montenegro (mB): 13-4
Israel vs Türkiye (mB): 4-5
Belgium vs Lithuania (mA): 7-17
Greece vs Great Britain (mA): 2-5
Türkiye vs Ukraine (wC): 10-0
Hungary vs Israel (wD): 3-13
France vs Finland (wD): 2-7

Thursday, 14th
Quarterfinals
Women
8.30 am – Great Britain vs Finland
10 am – Greece vs Ukraine
11.30 am – Türkiye vs France
1 pm – Israel vs Germany
Men
2.30 pm – Germany vs Israel
4 pm – Türkiye vs Great Britain
5.30 pm – Lithuania vs Finland
7 pm – Ukraine vs Greece