The organisers of the 2019 International Blind Sports Federation (IBSA) Goalball European Championships A in Rostock, Germany, have revealed the schedule and launched ticket sales for one of the most important competitions of 2019.

From 8-13 October, men’s and women’s teams from 15 countries across the continent will go for the title at the Stadthalle Rostock and the OSPA-Arena. The gold medallists will also qualify for the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games – if they have not already qualified.

On 8 October, the home European Championship will be opened with a colourful show and supporting programme in the Stadthalle Rostock, before the two opening matches.

The German men will play Spain and 18.30 (CET) and the women will take on the Netherlands at 20.00.

The full schedule and tickets are available at www.em-rostock2019.de/spielplan.html

The hosts are hoping for a good performance after their men won silver at the 2018 IBSA Goalball World Championships, and with it secured they place at Tokyo 2020.

The women have a bit more pressure for their home tournament as they have not yet managed to punch their tickets to the Paralympics.

"For us now the hot phase starts from an organisation as well as sport perspective,” said Reno Tiede, a German national team player who is also leading the Local Organising Committee. “We cannot wait to give everything here in Rostock, passionate and well prepared to fight for European Championship titles.”

At the last European Championships two years ago in Pajulahti Finland, the men lost out to Paralympic champions Lithuania in the final. The women finished in seventh place.

Tickets for Rostock 2019 are now available at the official Championships website.

"The prices we have made fan friendly, so there are already day tickets for six euros,” Tiede said. “However, it is also possible to purchase a ticket for all or only for the German games. All tickets entitle to the free use of public transport with RSAG.”

The semi-finals and finals will also be broadcast on national TV channels ARD and ZDF.
"We love our sport and we want to get more people excited about goalball – that's best done with a perfect European Championship," Tiede said.

The 29-year-old also made an appeal for volunteers to support the European Championships. Anyone interested can apply via the German National Paralympic Committee website.

The 2019 IBSA Goalball European Championships is supported by the German Federal Ministry of the Interior, the state government of MV, the city of Rostock, AktionMensch as well as Toyota, OSPA, WIOR, Radisson Blu and Aok Nordost.