Qualification for the 2025 Club World Cup was up for grabs at the recent European Goalball Club Association Champions League!
The finals of the European Goalball Club Association (E G C A) Champions League took place in Blankenberge, Belgium, from 27th June to 1st July!
There were a number of British players competing in the competition, with Lois Turner and Kali Holder representing German side Füchse Berlin. They got off to a fantastic start beating Old Power of Finland, who were the previous winners of the competition 3-1 in their opening game. This was accompanied by a resounding 10-0 victory against fellow Finish side Aisti Sport. They went on to win all of their pool fixtures, with a 11-1 victory over Italian outfit ASD Blind Hawks Trento, and a 7-0 win over CSAVH Lyon of France.
Lois and Kali were fantastic additions to the Füchse Berlin side, contributing towards the team’s overall fantastic defence as the team overall only conceded 2 goals in the pool stage. After finishing with the maximum 12 points, they sailed into the semi-final, and would come up against familiar opposition!
RNC Academy also finished the pool stage in fantastic fashion, winning two of their three fixtures, despite starting off with a 5-1 loss against FIFH Malmo. RNC then went on to win 3-1 against German side RGC Hansa, and a resounding 12-3 victory over Kleio Thessaloniki of Greece.
RNC finished 2nd in their group, which set up a clash with Füchse Berlin in the semi final, with a place in the final and a confirmed place in the 2025 Club World Cup up for grabs!
The game was extremely close with score being 1-0 to Füchse Berlin going into halftime. The second half continued in nail biting fashion, with Füchse Berlin continuing their epic defensive display winning 2-0 courtesy of goals from Lois Turner and Kali Holder!
This set up a final between Füchse Berlin and FIFH Malmö, and a bronze medal game between RNC Academy and Old Power.
Füchse Berlin overcame FIFH Malmö 5-2, meaning they were crowned champions, and qualified for the Club World Cup in 2025! They will be joined by RNC Academy who beat Old Power 6-2 in their bronze medal fixture.
Congratulations to all!
