Top-ranked Brazil and Lithuania to meet in goalball group stages at Tokyo 2020 Monday, 10 May 2021
Rio 2016 gold medallists Lithuania are set to face world champions Brazil in the men’s goalball group stages at Tokyo 2020 after the tournament draw was made today.
The group stage draw was conducted at the headquarters of Tokyo 2020 at Harumi Island Triton Square Tower Y.
Tokyo 2020 sports director Mikako Kotani drew the 10 men’s and women’s teams in their respective draws.
Brazil and Lithuania provide the headline match in Pool A of the men’s competition, with the teams occupying first and second place respectively in the world rankings.
Tokyo 2020 goalball draw to be conducted on Monday Friday, 7 May 2021
The goalball draw for the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics is now set to take place on Monday (10 May), having been delayed when Algeria pulled out of the competition.
Egypt replaced Algeria in the women s draw last month, but Goalball UK has threatened legal action, believing Britain should have been offered the place instead.
As only three teams competed at the Goalball African Championships, fewer than the four needed to meet International Blind Sports Federation (IBSA) criteria for Regional Championships, Goalball UK believes Britain, the highest-ranked non-qualified nation, should be given the place.
Call for referees for IBSA Goalball European Championships B in Lahti Tuesday, 13 April 2021
The International Blind Sports Federation (IBSA) Goalball is calling for referees to register their interest and availability for this year’s European Championships B in Lahti.
The event is scheduled to take place in the Finnish city from May 31 to June 7 and is set to be the sport’s first major international tournament since the Goalball African Championships concluded in March 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Ten men’s and eight women’s teams are expected to compete, including hosts Finland, in the women’s contest.
Teams will by vying for promotion to the A pool, with Pajulahti Olympic and Paralympic Training Centre to host all games.