Schedule announced for Wheelchair Rugby European Championships

The schedule for the 2015 International Wheelchair Rugby Federation (IWRF) Wheelchair Rugby European Championship, which will take place between 13-20 September 2015, has been announced.

Host Finland will meet Ireland on the opening day, which is set to begin after the Opening Ceremony at 18:30 on 15 September. All 20 matches of the tournament, held in Pajulahti, will be streamed live via the tournament website.

Ireland secured their place in the A division after finishing second in April’s IWRF European Division B Championship. Ireland played an even match against France in the final of the B Division Euros, showing that they should not be underestimated in Pajulahti.

“We have already gone from 23rd to 13th in the world rankings, and this group of players is capable of producing even better performances,” Ireland head coach Stuart McLindon said.

With low-point John McCarthy (0.5) and high-point Thomas Moylan (3.5) named to the All Star team of the B Euros, and captain Alan Lynch (1.0) named the Most Valuable Player of the tournament, Ireland has players who are ready to challenge the best in Europe. McLindon said his team needs to have more depth in their squad.

“If we are to take our game to the next level, we need our bench to be strong and focused,” McLindon said. “We have talented players on the bench, and I believe that by September, they will be ready, and you will see more variety in our line-ups.”

Ireland will be in group B with Finland, Germany and Denmark.

“We did not mind who we got in the draw, as at this level there is never going to be an easy game,” McLindon said. “Both groups will be very close.

“Our first target is top-six to avoid having to qualify for Euro A in 2017,” he added. “After that, we are looking for a top-two finish and a place in Rio 2016.”

Finland and Ireland have not met each other in the few years.

“Finland are a strong team that are well coached and technically very good,” McLindon said. “They played some great rugby at the World Championship last year, and we are looking forward to seeing how we match up with them. While the high-point battle will be exciting for the spectators, it will be how the low-pointers match up that could decide the game.”

Tournament Schedule (All times in CET)

Tuesday, 15 September

16:00 Group B, Germany vs. Denmark

18.00 Opening Ceremony

18.30 Group B, Finland vs. Ireland

Wednesday, 16 September

10:00 Group A, France vs. Belgium

12:00 Group B, Germany vs. Ireland

14:00 Group B, Finland vs. Denmark

16:00 Group A, Great Britain vs. France

18:00 Group A, Sweden vs. Belgium

Thursday, 17 September

10:00 Group A, France vs. Sweden

12:00 Group A, Great Britain vs. Belgium

14:00 Group B, Ireland vs. Denmark

16:00 Group B, Finland vs. Germany

18:00 Group A, Great Britain vs. Sweden

Friday, 18 September

12:00 Placement match, 5–8

14:00 Placement match, 5–8

16:00 Semi-final

18:00 Semi-final

Saturday, 19 September

10:00 Placement match, 7–8

12:00 Placement match, 5–6

14:00 Bronze match

16:00 Gold match

18:00 Banquet

Visit http://www.wrec2015.fi/en for more information on the 2015 Wheelchair Rugby European Championships.