Due to take place from September 13 to 20 at the Pajulahti Sports Institute in Nastola, the continent's top eight national teams will participate, including reigning champions Sweden and 2013 silver and bronze medal winners, Denmark and Great Britain.

Germany and Belgium will also compete as well as the hosts, while the remaining two places will be taken by the top two countries from the Division B event, scheduled for Prague from April 11 to 19.

Finland are hoping that home support will be enough for them to make the European podium for the first time, and potentially become just the fourth team to win the top tier continental event after Britain, Sweden and Belgium.

"Playing in front of the home audience will give our players extra boost," said Finnish head coach, Valtteri Lehtinen.

"If we can really get things flowing our way it is possible to reach the medals and a spot for the Paralympic Games."

Reigning champions Sweden will be a major challenge for Finland in September
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Finland has never qualified for the Paralympic Games in wheelchair rugby, but after finishing 10th at the 2014 World Championships in Odense, making them the fifth best team from Europe, they will be keen to continue their upward curve.

It was also mark the second time Finland has hosted the Wheelchair Rugby European Championships, following the 2007 edition in Espoo.

But before either the B or A Division events, the continental season will start with the Division C contest, due to take place in Dublin from January 27 to February 1, 2015.

Contact the writer of this story at [email protected]


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