The draw for the 2019 IBSA Blind Football European Championships in Rome, Italy, was held this morning and the leading teams in Europe now know their rivals in the group stage.

Hosts Italy, seeded in group A, will face Turkey, Spain, Belgium and Romania in the initial stage of the tournament.

Reigning European champions will look to defend their title in group B against France, England, Germany and Greece.

Caption: screenshot of the groups.

Matches kick off in the Italian capital on Tuesday September 17th. In addition to the title of IBSA Blind Football European Champions, the top two teams will also gain a slot to compete at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games.

Hosted by the Italian Paralympic Committee at the 3 Fontane Paralympic Training Centre, the draw was attended by Italian Paralympic Committee President Luca Pancalli, FISPIC President Sandro De Girolamo, and Ulrich Pfisterer, Chair of the IBSA Football Committee. 

The draw was made by, among others, junior blind footballers from the ASDD Roma youth academy.

Caption: image from the press conference before the draw.

The draw can be viewed here on the FISPIC Facebook page.
 

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