Groups named for 2014 IBSA Goalball Worlds

11.12.2013

Japan’s women’s team and Finland’s men’s team – both reigning Paralympic champions – will enter next year’s event as the teams to beat.

Japan's Masae Komiya throws the ball during her the women's goalball gold-medal match against China at the Copper Box at the London 2012 Paralympic Games. © • Getty Images

By IBSA

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In total, there will be 28 teams from 20 countries in Espoo next summer. All the continents will be represented except for Oceania.

Finland will host the 2014 IBSA Goalball World Championships from 26 June – 6 July next year in Espoo, and the pool draw for the Championships took place on Tuesday (10 December) Helsinki.

Sixteen men’s teams qualified for the World Championships and were drawn into two pools. The reigning Paralympic champions and host nation Finland will face Algeria, Iran, USA, Spain, Germany, Ukraine and Czech Republic in Pool A.

In the men’s draw, the champion and runner-up from the same IBSA region could not be drawn into same pool.

The women’s competition consists of 12 teams. Host nation Finland will face Japan, Russia, USA, Turkey and Germany in Pool X. The top four teams from each pool will advance to the quarter-finals.

In total, there will be 28 teams from 20 countries in Espoo next summer. All the continents will be represented except for Oceania.

Pools for the 2014 IBSA Goalball World Championships

Men

Pool A

Finland

Algeria

Iran

USA

Spain

Germany

Ukraine

Czech Republic