Volleyball Canada has released the schedule for the Tokyo 2020 Women’s Final Paralympic Qualification Tournament, taking place February 26 to 29, 2020, in Halifax, Nova Scotia at the Canada Games Centre. The tournament is the final opportunity for the women’s teams to qualify for the Paralympics this summer with only the first-place team earning a ticket to Tokyo.
The tournament will see Canada face off against Finland, Germany, Slovenia, Ukraine for the final Paralympic spot, joining the already-qualified Russia, United States, China, Italy, Brazil, Rwanda, and Japan.
Ukraine comes into the event as the highest-ranked team, sitting fourth on the World Paravolley world ranking. Canada is right behind them at fifth. Slovenia and Finland are also neck-and-neck in the rankings, entering the tournament at 13th and 14th, respectfully. Germany isn’t far off, at 17th.
The Canadian women’s sitting team last participated in the Paralympic Games in 2016 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, where they finished in seventh place. This was their first appearance in the Games. They were joined by Ukraine, who finished fourth after winning bronze in London 2012 and participating in both the 2008 and 2004 Paralympics.
Slovenia also participated in the 2012, 2008 and 2004 Paralympics. Finland competed in 2004 as well, when women’s sitting volleyball was first introduced to the Paralympic Games. Germany has yet to qualify.
Canada kicks off the tournament on February 26 against Slovenia and then closes the day with another game against Germany. Their toughest match comes on day two when they face off against Ukraine before closing the round-robin play against Finland on February 28.
The semifinals on February 28 will see the top-four teams compete, with the second- and third-placed teams going head-to-head at 6:00 pm and the first- and fourth-placed teams competing at 8:00 pm. These games will set up the final day, February 29, with the bronze medal match at 1:00 pm. Finally, the gold medal game, with the Paralympic berth on the line, will be at 3:00 pm.
Full Schedule:
February 26 (free admission)
11:00 am Canada vs Slovenia
1:00 pm Ukraine vs Germany
6:00 pm Slovenia vs Finland
8:00 pm Canada vs Germany
February 27 (free admission)
11:00 am Ukraine vs Finland
1:00 pm Slovenia vs Germany
6:00 pm Canada vs Ukraine
8:00 pm Finland vs Germany
February 28
11:00 am Ukraine vs. Slovenia
1:00 pm Canada vs Finland
6:00 pm Semifinals: 2nd vs 3rd
8:00 pm Semifinals: 1st vs 4th
February 29
1:00 pm Bronze medal game
3:00 pm Gold medal game
