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England penalty defeat costs Great Britain's blind football team a place at Rio

Great Britain's blind football team will not be at the Rio 2016 Paralympics after England lost on penalties to Russia at the IBSA Blind Football European Championships.

England's hopes of earning Great Britain a place in the blind football event at the Paralympics ended as they lost on penalties to Russia in the semi-finals of the IBSA Blind Football European Championships.

Only the finalists progress to Rio 2016, and England were beaten 1-0 in the shootout following a goalless contest at the Royal National College for the Blind in Hereford.

England had won all four of their group games, scoring 15 times and conceding just once, but could not break down Russia's defence today.

Russia will play Spain or Turkey in Saturday's final.

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Written by
Pascal Lemesre
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Hannah Cockroft at the Olympic stadium on July 15, 2015
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