A group of 10 men’s and 10 women’s teams from 15 countries will go for glory, with the added bonus of Tokyo 2020 slots for those not already qualified.

For some sides, it is their last chance to qualify for the Paralympic Games, while others enter the event more relaxed.

In the men’s competition, hosts Germany are expected to put on a good show for the home crowd.

The team secured the silver medal, and a Tokyo 2020 berth, at the 2018 IBSA Goalball World Championships in Swedish city Malmö.

The country's line-up remains unchanged since that outing.

Michael Feistle, Oliver Hörauf, Felix Rogge and Thomas Steiger are considered to be among Germany’s "super six" along with local hero Reno Tiede and Stefan Hawranke.

"We are proud of our results since Rio 2016 [Paralympics]," head coach Johannes Gunther said.

"Compared to other nations in Europe our team and especially our starting three is very young, so we can say that we are stronger than 2018.

"Most teams in Europe have only one or two scorers in their team. 

"In our team we have four or five players who are able to score some goals in a Championship game."

Germany are also aiming to improve on their silver medal-winning performance from the 2017 European Championships in Lahti in Finland.

They are in Group B with world and defending European bronze medallists Belgium.

Also in the same section are Czech Republic, 2011 champions Finland and Spain.

Group A features reigning Paralympic and European champions Lithuania.

They are joined by Greece, Sweden, Turkey and Ukraine.

Headlining Group X in the women’s event are world and European champions Russia, set to make their Paralympic debut at Tokyo 2020.

The country has finished on the podium at every edition of the European Championships since 2011.

They will benefit from the presence of many of their experienced players, including Irina Arestova, the second top scorer at the 2018 IBSA Goalball World Championships,

Russia will meet Denmark, Finland, Greece and Ukraine in Group X.

Germany feature in a tough draw in Group Y.

It also includes Paralympic champions and world silver medallists Turkey as well as 2017 European bronze medallists Israel, Great Britain and The Netherlands.

The 2019 IBSA Goalball European Championships Group A begins with three days of group games from tomorrow through to Thursday (October 10).

Germany's men play Spain tomorrow, while the country's women's team go up against The Netherlands.

The quarter-finals for both the men’s and women’s events take place on Friday (October 11) and will be followed by the semi-finals on Saturday (October 12).

The medal games conclude competition on Sunday (October 13).

Games will take place in two venues: the Stadthalle Rostock and the OSPA Arena.

The former will stage the finals.