Canada wins goalball bronze at the Malmo Lady Intercup

MALMO, Sweden – In a rematch from the 2023 Para Pan American Games final, Canada defeated the United States 5-2 on Sunday to win the bronze medal at the Malmo Lady Intercup women’s goalball tournament.

In 2023, the Canadians defeated the Americans in a dramatic showdown for the last remaining spot for the 2024 Paralympic Games in Paris. The Canadians then placed fifth in the French capital.

In the weekend tournament, Canada won four of its six games. It defeated France 8-2, lost to Brazil 8-5 and beat both Finland and Germany by 9-4 scores for second in its pool. In the semis, Canada was edged by Japan 4-3 before its victory over the Americans.

Brazil, fourth at the Paralympics and the top-ranked team in Malmo, beat Japan 5-2 for the gold.

Canada, led by head coach Trent Farebrother, was third offensively in the eight-country tournament averaging 6.5 goals per game. Two-time Paralympian Emma Reinke of St. Thomas, Ont., tied for second in tournament scoring with 17 goals.

Also in the Canadian line-up were five-time Paralmypian and team captain Amy Burk of Charlottetown, Meghan Mahon of Timmins, Ont., Maryam Salehizadeh of Vancouver, all four in Paris. Joining them were newcomers Gen Hart of Ottawa and 17-year-old Cassandra Ruttle of Calgary.