Finland will host the 2014 IBSA Goalball World Championships in Espoo from 26th June to 6th July. The project is well underway and the Kick-off event for the Games was held 17th September.
 
Finland has never hosted the World Championships in Goalball. The European Championships was held in Finland in 1991 and B-level European Championships in 2008. Finland is the second best country in World Championships history and the men’s team is the reigning Paralympic gold medalist, so it was due time to get the Games in Finland.
 
“Our aim is to arrange the Games that make you feel like you just can’t miss this one. And after the tournament there will be tears of joy and affection in the cheeks of participants”, said Johanna Ikäheimo, the Chairman of the Organizing Committee.
 
The atmosphere was something special in the London Paralympic Games 2012.  Paralympic Gold medalist Erkki Miinala is wishing that the home audience in Espoo could produce something similar next summer.
 
“I’m the type of player that bursts into flames in front of big crowds. I hope there will be a good show in Espoo,” said Miinala, an Espoo resident himself.
 
Finland, Brazil, Turkey, Canada and USA have already qualified for the men’s tournament in Espoo. Finland, Brazil, Japan, China, Sweden and USA have secured their places for the women’s tournament. There will be total 16 men’s teams and 12 women’s teams in the World Championships. The remaining places will be filled after the IBSA Regional Championships this autumn.
 
The official website for the Espoo 2014 IBSA Goalball World Championships is:

www.goalball2014.fi.