The medals designs have been revealed and the final touches are being put to the venues for the 2018 IBSA Goalball World Championships in Malmo, Sweden.

Here are three facts you should know about the Russian women’s goalball team, one of the top ranked squads, ahead of the competition from 3-8 June.

• The Russian women’s team made their debut in 2007 at the European Championships in Antalya, Turkey. Before that, only a men’s team had played at major international tournaments.
• The women reached their first World Championships in Sheffield, Great Britain, in 2010. They became European champions in 2013 after beating now Paralympic champions Turkey 4-2.
• At the next Worlds in Espoo, Finland, in 2014, Russia secured silver after they lost 3-0 to the USA in the final. Heading into Malmo 2018 they are the world ranked No.4.

The 2018 IBSA Goalball World Championships run from 3-8 June. Featuring 28 of the world’s best teams, men and women will play in four groups.

Russia will play in group C which also features Turkey and hosts Sweden.

Media accreditation, the full competition schedule and more information about Malmo 2018, is available here.