It is a major boost for the country after both the men's and women's teams fared well at the London 2012 Paralympics.

The men's side (pictured top) thrashed Brazil 8-1 in the title game to claim their second Paralympic gold medal, while the women's side finished fourth after they were beaten by Sweden in the bronze medal match at the Copper Box.

"We offer our heartiest congratulations to Finland and sincere thanks and commiserations to all other bidding nations," said IBSA Goalball chairman Kari Marklund.

"IBSA Goalball looks forward to working in close collaboration with Finland in the lead-up to what promises to be a most exciting tournament in 2014."

Goalball has been a part of the Paralympic Games programme since 1976 but has been around since 1946, when it was devised to rehabilitate visually impaired veterans who returned home from World War II.

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