IWBF Europe have published the competition programme of the 2019 Women’s European Championship Division A, that will take place this summer, in the Rotterdam Topsportcentrum.

Reigning European and World Champions, the Netherlands, will compete against with Great Britain, Germany, Turkey, Spain and France, on home soil for the European title, between the 30^th June to the 7^th July 2019.

It is not only the European title at stake, but the top four finishing countries will also qualify for the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games.

The hosts will open the preliminary round of the tournament on June 30^th at 4:00pm (local time) against Spain. All six teams will play each other once in a round robin with the top four progressing to the semi-finals, set to take place on Saturday 6^th July, followed by the medal and placing games on Sunday 7^th July.

The total competition schedule can be viewed at www.ecwa2019.com

The Netherland’s Head Coach, Gertjan van der Linden, said, “To have the European Championship in our own country is very special, there has not been an event of this size for our sport within the Netherlands since 2006. The programme suits us well, but in the end, we have to beat everyone to take the title.”

The organizational structure of the event is also special: the Dutch Basketball Association found a foundation and operational partner in the Basketball Experience NL (BEN) foundation, who have taken on the entire organization of the championship after the joint submission of the bid.

“What we are focusing on is a greater effect than just the European Championship wheelchair basketball, with this event and all social activities in the preliminary phase we want to achieve a more positive positioning for the Paralympic sport.” said tournament and foundation director, Toine Klerks.

Tickets for the European Championship will go on sale on 1^st May 2019. However, tickets are already available for the opening match and the final through a special promotion associated with crowdfunding via this link.

In addition to the website, the European Championship can also be followed via social media:

Twitter: @BasketballExpNL

Instagram: @BasketballExpNL

Facebook: basketballcomplexperiencenl

Text courtesy of Basketball Experience NL (BEN) and Image courtesy of SA Images.