Turkey's band of sisters win third straight goalball title at Paris Paralympics

Paul Myers

5 September 2024 at 4:02 pm·2-min read

Turkey claimed the women's goalball crown for a third consecutive Paralympic Games on Thursday night following their 8-3 victory over Israel at the South Paris Arena.

Sevda Altunoluk scored four goals and Fatma Gul Guler was on target three times in the rout which enabled the team to eclipse Canada's back-to-back titles in 2000 and 2004 and become the sport's most successful female side.

"We are so proud and so happy," said Seydanur Kaplan who was in the squad that won gold in Tokyo in 2021. "It is a big victory.

"But it wasn't easy because it was a final," added the 24-year-old. "It was so hard but we are family.

"I think this is our secret. It is our special quality. We are a band of sisters because, you know, we live everything together ... crying, happiness."

Goalball, along with boccia, are the only two sports exclusive to the Paralympics.

Before the game, as the Turkish and Israeli players limbered up for their showdown, a spry young man whirled around the court perimeter brandishing a placard bearing the twin legends: "Get loud!!!" and "Ambiancez vous!!!"

The 3,000 fans duly responded to both exhortations.

But within minutes of satisfying his commands, a somewhat sterner usher was suggesting another pitch.

Silence

"Quiet please," match referee Raquel Aguado beseeched the frenzied throng.

Cheerily came the compliance.

For silence is golden during goalball. Noise will prevent the three players stretched out along the nine-metre width of the court from hearing the approach of the 1.25kg rubber ball which contains bells.

The game of two 12-minute halves consists of hurling the ball into the opposing team's goal which lies at the other end of the 18-metre court.

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Silence

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