Anxiety levels rise at the Verde Complex in Podgorica, Montenegro, the host venue of the 2023 IBSA Goalball European Championships! The semifinals are set, one step away from the moment that the Goalball family have been waiting for.

There is more at stake than the continental title; for sure, the teams have their eyes stuck in the slot of qualification to Paris 2024.

In the men’s competition, the favourites confirmed their status, and there was one surprise in the match between Germany and Israel. The Star of David’s country came to this tournament with the title of champions of Division B, recently promoted, and in the quarterfinals, they managed to defeat the strong German squad (8-6). Israel will face Ukraine in the semifinals tomorrow with self-confidence fully charged!

Türkiye, on the other hand, will face Lithuania, which presented itself in Podgorica in an amazing moment. It has been defeating almost all its opponents by the maximum difference allowed in Goalball (10 goals), with the exception of the first match of the tournament with Germany, with a minimum score of 6-5. This semifinal will be one not to miss!

In the women’s competition, Great Britain, Greece, Türkiye, and Israel won their matches and moved on to the semifinals. Only Israel felt some problems with their opponent, more so in the first half, which was very balanced, and Germany was behind by one goal (5-4). Nevertheless, the power of the Israeli ladies came on top in the second half with six goals, with no reply from the German squad.

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

Thursday, 14th
Quarter finals
Women
Great Britain vs Finland: 7-1
Greece vs Ukraine: 6-1
Türkiye vs France: 11-1
Israel vs Germany: 11-4
Men
Germany vs Israel: 6-8
Türkiye vs Great Britain: 13-3
Lithuania vs Finland: 12-2
Ukraine vs Greece: 11-3

Friday, 15th
Women
5th-8th
9 am – Finland vs Germany
10.30 am – Ukraine vs France
Semifinals
2 pm – Israel vs Great Britain
3.30 pm – Türkiye vs Greece
Men
5th-8th
11.30 am – Germany vs Greece
12.45 pm – Great Britain vs Finland
Semifinals
5 pm – Ukraine vs Israel
6.30 pm – Lithuania vs Türkiye
9th-10th
8 pm – Belgium vs Montenegro