2015 IBSA Blind Football European Championships kick off

Spain will look to defend their European title when the 2015 International Blind Sports Federation (IBSA) Blind Football European Championships kick off on Saturday (22 August) at Hereford, Great Britain.

They will be grouped with 2013 European silver medallist France, whom Spain defeated 1-0 for the European crown in Loano, Italy.

Meanwhile, host Great Britain will be the home favourite and are coming off a surprise performance from May’s IBSA World Games in Korea, where they nearly upset top-ranked Argentina in the gold-medal match.

Poland and Belgium will make their debut at the European Championships, making the event the biggest ever with 10 teams, which is up from eight in previous tournaments. Teams are split in two groups of five for the initial group stage.

In addition to the title of IBSA European Champion, there is the added incentive of a place at the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games, with the top two teams automatically qualifying.

Fixtures will be hosted at the Royal National College for the Blind (RNC) and live streamed.

Group A

Great Britain

Poland

Germany

Turkey

Italy

Group B

Spain

France

Russia

Belgium

Greece

Group stage fixtures (local times):

Saturday 22 August

13:00 Great Britain v Poland

15:00 France v Russia

17:30 Spain v Belgium

19:30 Turkey v Germany

Sunday 23 August 2015

13:00 Greece v Spain

15:00 Poland v Turkey

17:30 Belgium v France

19:30 Italy v Great Britain

Monday 24 August 2015

13:00 Russia v Belgium

15:00 Italy v Turkey

17:30 Greece v France

19:30 Germany v Poland

Tuesday 25 August 2015

13:00 Spain v Russia

15:00 Poland v Italy

17:30 Belgium v Greece

19:30 Great Britain v Germany

Wednesday 26 August 2015

13:00 France v Spain

15:00 Germany v Italy

17:30 Russia v Greece

19:30 Turkey v England

Follow results and action at the IBSA Blind Football European Championship event Facebook page, and also on Twitter @BlindEuros.