The Brazilians are candidates for a sixth consecutive title at the foot of the Eiffel Tower in blind football.
Blind football is one of the recent disciplines of the Paralympic Games. This is in fact the sixth edition of the Games where blind football is present, since Athens in 2004. Blind football is a discipline practiced only by blind or visually impaired players, and takes place on a field with dimensions more or less similar to those of a handball field. Two teams of five players compete in a match of two times twenty minutes. There are no touches in blind football, barriers are placed around the field to prevent the ball from going out.
The main difference in the equipment in blind football is the ball. The ball makes noise when it rolls, in order to allow the players to locate it. As a result, the public must remain silent during the phases of play. Three assistants are also placed around the field to allow the players to locate each other. Unlike most sports, there is no women’s blind football tournament at the Olympic Games, but only a men’s tournament.
While blind football is played by blind or partially sighted athletes, the goalkeeper can be sighted, and he plays a fundamental role in positioning his teammates in defense. The sport has been dominated since its introduction by Brazil, which has won all the Paralympic competitions and wants to go for its sixth consecutive gold medal in Paris. In France, the sport is growing and the Blues won the silver medal in London in 2012, and are the reigning European vice-champions. But the road to a medal looks difficult for the Blues, who will meet the five-time Olympic champions Brazil in the group matches. They will have to finish in the top two to reach the semi-finals and hope for a medal.
Classifications for blind football
Blind football is reserved for athletes with visual impairments. However, in order to ensure fairness between the different teams, all field players wear a mask.
The blind football program
Blind football will take place from September 1st to 7th at the foot of the Eiffel Tower, in the heart of Paris
Sunday September 1st
- 11:30: Japan – Colombia
- 1:30 p.m.: Morocco – Argentina
- 6:30 p.m.: Brazil – Türkiye
- 8:30 p.m.: France – China
Monday September 2nd
- 11:30: Argentina – Colombia
- 1:30 p.m.: Japan – Morocco
- 6:30 p.m.: Türkiye – China
- 8:30 p.m.: France – Brazil
Tuesday September 3
- 11:30: Colombia – Morocco
- 1:30 p.m.: Argentina – Japan
- 6:30 p.m.: China – Brazil
- 8:30 p.m.: Türkiye – France
Thursday September 5th
- 11:30 a.m.: Match for 7th and 8th place
- 1 p.m.: Match for 5th and 6th place
- 5:30 p.m.: Semi-final
- 8 p.m.: Semi-final
Saturday September 7th
- 5:30 p.m.: Bronze medal match
- 8 p.m.: Gold Medal Match