The IWRF European Division C Championship is due to begin in Grosswallstadt in Germany tomorrow ©2017 European Div. C Championship/Facebook

Athletes have today finalised their preparations for the International Wheelchair Rugby Federation (IWRF) European Division C Championship, which is due to begin in Grosswallstadt in Germany tomorrow.

The third-tier event is being held for the first time this year and is seen as a way to help grow the sport in the continent.

Four teams who have not qualified for the A and B European Championships will compete.

Czech Republic, Israel, The Netherlands and Russia will participate at the Business and Sporthotel Großwallstadt.

The top-two finishers will advance to the 2018 IWRF Division B Championship, at a location yet to be announced.

Tomorrow’s Opening Ceremony will be followed by matches between Russia and The Netherlands, and Czech Republic and Israel.

Athletes completed their training for the event today ©2017 European Div. C Championship/Facebook
Athletes completed their training for the event today ©2017 European Div. C Championship/Facebook

Each team is in action twice on Friday (November 3).

The first game pits Russia against Israel before Czech Republic face The Netherlands.

Israel then meet the Dutch prior to the Czechs’ encounter with Russia.

Competition is due to conclude on Saturday (November 4) with the semi-finals and medal matches.

The semi-finals will see the winners of the round-robin group face the fourth-place finishers and the second and third-place finishers meet each other. 

Europe is the largest IWRF region with 17 active members and seven more developing the sport on a national level.

Great Britain won the elite European Championship title in Koblenz in Germany this year, beating Sweden 49-41 in the final on July 1.