Turkey’s women’s goalball team claimed their third straight Paralympic gold last Thursday night, defeating Israel 8-3 at the South Paris Arena. Led by star players Sevda Altunoluk, who netted four goals, and Fatma Gul Guler, who added three, the Turkish squad solidified their place in history as the most successful women’s goalball team. They surpassed Canada’s back-to-back titles from 2000 and 2004, setting a new benchmark for the sport.
“We’re so proud and happy,” said Seydanur Kaplan, part of the gold-winning team from Tokyo 2021. “It’s a huge victory, but it wasn’t easy. It was tough because it was a final, but we’re a family. I think that’s our secret—our special quality. We’re like sisters, going through everything together… the tears, the joy.”
In the final, Turkey stormed to an early 3-0 lead within just four minutes, with Altunoluk and Guler quickly asserting dominance. Despite Israel’s Lihi Ben David pulling one back, Turkey continued to pile on the goals, entering halftime with a 6-2 advantage. Though Israel tried to mount a comeback, Turkey’s airtight defence and final goal left no doubt as they sealed the victory. Ben David’s third goal was only a consolation as Turkey’s triumph was already secured.
“There was pressure on us to win,” Kaplan admitted. “Every tournament brings its own tension, but now we have this third title, and we want to be champions again in Los Angeles in four years.”
Turkey’s path to the final wasn’t without challenges. After a shaky start, including a draw with Brazil and a loss to China in the group stages, they found their rhythm in the knockout rounds, defeating South Korea and Brazil before facing Israel in the final.
In the men’s final, Japan emerged victorious in a nail-biting contest against Ukraine, clinching their first-ever Paralympic goalball title. After a tense 3-3 draw in regulation time, Japan’s Yuto Sano scored the “golden goal” in overtime, sealing a 4-3 victory. Brazil took the bronze, while China rounded out the podium.
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