- Who has claimed the men's team Paralympic crown?
- 2008:
CHN - 2004:
DEN - 2000:DEN
- 1996:
FIN
- Who has claimed the women's team Paralympic crown?
- 2008:
USA - 2004:
CAN - 2000:CAN
- 1996:
GER
The Athletes
Can Goalball gal Louise Simpson’s all-for-one, one-for-all mentality drive GB towards 2012 glory?
Her vocals might leave a bit to be desired, but GB goalball star Anna Sharkey will be hoping for a series of pitch-perfect performances if her team reaches the London 2012 Paralympic Games.
Introducing Adam Knott, ParalympicsGB’s goalball whizz kid, who enjoys homework about as much as he enjoys jumping off tall rock formations…
Indie kid, chocolate lover and the youngest member of Britain's gold medal-winning goalball team. Meet Georgina Bullen...
How it works: Goalball
It's a game of two 12-minute halves, with two teams of three players who are visually impaired and a hard rubber ball with a bell inside it. The aim is to fire the ball into the opponent's goal while defending your own.
What you need to know
Goalball has been on the schedule of every Paralympic Games since it made its international debut in Toronto 1976.
Goalball is one of the most popular and hotly contended Paralympic events, and is played in more than 100 countries around the world.
The pace is lightning fast. Expect to see around 85 shots fired on goal in a typical 24-minute game and ball speeds of up to 60m/h on the 18-metre court.
Originally intended as a rehabilitation exercise for visually impaired war veterans, the sport was devised in 1946 by Austrian Hanz Lorenzen and German Sepp Reindl.
All players on both teams are required to wear eye shades. This evens out the playing field to make sure athletes with visual impairments have no advantage over those who are fully blind.
What to say: Goalball
On this occasion, don't say anything! Silence is paramount during a game of goalball to ensure players can accurately hear the bell inside the ball.
Who's good: Goalball
There is a fiery contest for the top spot between world goalball champions Lithuania and current Paralympic Games winners China. Great Britain's women's team is the current European champion and tipped to bag a medal for the home crowd at London 2012.
Inside stories
Georgina Bullen: drama queen
Oscars or gold medals? It's a tough call for goalball champ and budding thesp Georgina
What's in your kit bag?
Go go gadget spring legs! We take a look at the sci-fi-inspired technology propelling today's Paralympic Games athletes to glory.
Video
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