By David Gold

Finland goalball_30_JulyJuly 30 - European champions Finland have won the Malmo Men's InterCup, the last major goalball tournament before London 2012, after defeating hosts Sweden in the final.

The Finnish team (pictured top), comprised of Jarno Mattila, Petri Posio, Erkki Miinala, Ville Montonen, Toni Alenius and Tuomas Nousu, won five of their six matches at the tournament.

Their only defeat came against Sweden in a preliminary round clash.

They avenged that loss with a 5-4 victory in the final to secure a useful pre-Paralympics triumph.

Lithuania, the reigning world champions, were third after losing to Sweden and Belgium during the week.

Belgium, the Czech Republic, Iran, Canada, Japan, Great Britain and Denmark were the other nations taking part, finishing in that order.

The three-day competition was held at the Kulladals Sporthall.

Seven of the teams in Malmo will be at the London 2012 Games.

Chief among them are the top three, Finland, Sweden and Lithuania, who will be a serious danger to China's hopes of retaining gold.

This summer's goalball competition gets underway on August 30 and runs until September 7 at the Handball Arena in the Olympic Park in London.

Contact the writer of this story at [email protected]


Related stories
July 2012: World champions Lithuania head battle for honours at Goalball Men's InterCup