Defending champions and five-time winners The Netherlands are due to meet Spain in the opening women's match on August 28, while holders and hosts Great Britain get the men's competition under way against the Czech Republic later that same day. 

The event, set to be held at the University of Worcester, will see the continent's leading wheelchair basketball nations battle it out for places at Rio 2016 across 10 days of competition, ending on September 6.

Five men's teams from the 12 competing nations - Britain, Poland, Spain, Czech Republic, France, Germany, The Netherlands, Turkey, Israel, Switzerland, Sweden and Italy -  and four women's teams from the seven taking part - Britain, France, Germany, Italy, The Netherlands, Spain and Turkey - will secure a Paralympic Games berth.

"It is with great pleasure and anticipation that we announce the schedule today for the men's and women's European Wheelchair Basketball Championships taking place in Worcester, UK this summer," said Jan Berteling, President of International Wheelchair Basketball Federation (IWBF) Europe.

"The release of the schedule is always a great milestone in the run-up to the event as each team can begin to focus its preparation knowing which teams it will play, and when.

"This year's Championship promises to be an action-packed event and very competitive as the teams battle it out to take a spot in Rio.

"There are some great games lined up and I am already looking forward to being in Worcester and watching the competition."

The European Wheelchair Basketball Championships in Worcester are the official qualifier for the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games ©Getty Images



The European Wheelchair Basketball Championships form part of UK Sport's National Lottery funded Gold Event Series programme, which targets competitions that will support the nation's athletes in their preparation and qualification for the Rio 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

"On behalf of British Wheelchair Basketball and our key stakeholders, I am delighted to confirm the schedule of games for this year's European Championships for men and women," said Martin Morton, chairman of the Organising Committee for European Wheelchair Basketball Championships.

"Importantly it provides a home stage for both our teams, an advantage that will hopefully push our stars on their way to Paralympic success in Brazil.

"I am pleased to say that preparations to stage the event in the beautiful, picturesque and historic City of Worcester are well under way.

"The University of Worcester will provide athletes and support teams with the perfect stage - I look forward to welcoming our friends from around Europe in the summer."

To view the schedule, click here.

Contact the writer of this story at [email protected]


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