The European Futsal Championship for visually impaired athletes (B2, B3) began recently in Türkiye. Led by Julián Martín, Spain’s men’s team arrived prepared after extensive training, aiming to contend with top teams for the title. This tournament, featuring five teams—host Türkiye, Ukraine, England, Spain, and Italy—can be watched on the IBSA (International Blind Sports Federation) YouTube channel.
Spain’s team started strong, winning against Türkiye and drawing with reigning world champion Ukraine. “Our goal right now is to reach the final,” said Julián Martín, coach with the Spanish Federation of Sports for the Blind (FEDC). “We’re in a five-team group stage, with the top teams advancing to either the final or a third-place playoff. Currently, we have 4 points and are vying for second place with Ukraine to secure a spot in the final.”
The team’s recent success includes a bronze at the IBSA World Cup for the Blind held last summer in Birmingham, where Ukraine and England took gold and silver. The FEDC, which independently oversees eight sports for visually impaired athletes, collaborates with the Spanish Football Federation on shared initiatives. “We’ve planned an inclusive soccer cup, initially set for last year but now rescheduled for early 2025,” Martín shared.
Martín highlighted a major challenge for the federation: “Our athletes are often overlooked by mainstream sports, where severe disabilities are not usually visible, so people aren’t aware of the high-level competition in our sport.” For this championship, he hopes not only for victory but also to raise awareness, showing that these athletes compete seriously and at a high level, beyond just recreational play.
