Goalball
GB Goalballers Shine with Six-Goal Triumph Over Spain in Paralympic Qualifier
A return to form for Team GB in Goalball at the IBSA Qualifier
A clinical performance from Kali Holder ensured the Great Britain Women’s Goalball team bounced back in style at the 2019 IBSA Paralympic Qualifier, defeating Spain in their second game.
With the stakes high and the desire to secure a spot at Tokyo 2020 driving them on, Holder found the net five times, while Antonia Bunyan added another, guiding GB to a convincing 6-1 victory against Spain at The Turnstone Centre in Fort Wayne, Indiana, USA.
This resounding win was a much-needed response for GB after they had narrowly lost their opener to Israel 5-3. The defeat had left them with an uphill task, yet this emphatic result breathed new life into their qualification campaign.
The competition format added an extra layer of intensity, with 14 nations split into two pools of seven. The top two from each pool will earn the coveted qualification spots for the Paralympic Games. With only the top four advancing to the quarter-finals, every game was crucial, and GB seized their moment against the Spaniards.
The opening exchanges of the match were tense, as both teams looked to assert their dominance. Shots were exchanged, but neither side could find the back of the net. Yet, it was Holder’s impressive reflexes that kept Spain at bay, making multiple crucial saves that would later loom large in the team’s success.
A significant moment occurred when a penalty was conceded against Sarah Leiter, granting Spain an opportunity to take the lead. In a high-pressure situation, she displayed remarkable composure, making up for the mistake by successfully thwarting Maider Santesteban’s effort and ensuring the scores remained level.
As the tension mounted, it was GB who broke the deadlock with a vital opening goal. Holder unleashed a powerful bounce shot that eluded the Spanish defence, sending shockwaves of relief through the GB camp. The stadium erupted—a pivotal moment forging confidence in the British side.
With just over two minutes left in the first half, GB doubled their lead following a penalty awarded against Sonia Lopez. Holder again rose to the occasion, converting the opportunity with precision and poise, emblazoning her name further into the match narrative.
The hat-trick was completed right on the cusp of half-time, as Holder executed another cleverly placed bouncing shot, evading a diving Esther Avila in the Spanish goal. It was a flourish of skill and determination, reminiscent of past Paralympic legends who have used the stage to showcase their incredible talents.
As the whistle blew for half-time, GB found themselves in an advantageous position at 3-0, a scoreline that reflected their growing momentum despite a missed chance moments earlier. They had the confidence, the strategy, and the heart to push on for more.
Upon the restart, Holder continued to lead from the front, quickly increasing the lead to four goals with another magnificent effort that left Avila with no chance. GB were in full flow, playing with the kind of synergy that turns a team into a family, uniting their individual skills for collective success.
Spain finally found their footing with just under five minutes remaining in the match, Avila finding the back of the net with a switch shot that curled across the face of Bunyan’s goal. It was a moment of hope, but more a flicker than a flame, as GB were firmly in control.
Yet, the response was swift. Holder added her fifth of the match soon after, showcasing her incredible talent and effort to once again widen the gap. She eluded a challenge from Marie Del Mar Marino, pulling a masterstroke of skill that crowned her as the match’s standout performer.
In a seal of victory, Bunyan capped off an exceptional team display with a powerful shot that rocketed into the net, finalising the scoreline at 6-1. As the final seconds ticked away, the GB squad celebrated not just the triumph, but the arrival of their fighting spirit, their collective resilience heralding a much brighter path ahead.
This splendid performance not only marked their first win of the event, but it encapsulated the essence of the Paralympic spirit—a demonstration of courage, skill, and unyielding determination to succeed against the odds. With momentum back on their side, could this manner of play be the secret ingredient to unlocking the door to seat at Tokyo 2020?