Brazil 5-a-side football team won the gold medal at the Paralympic Games this Saturday (08.09) at the Riverban Arena, in London.  With the 2-0 victory over France, with a goal from Bill and an own goal by French defender Barton, Brazil won its third Paralympic title in the sport, which is played by visually impaired players.

After the celebration on the pitch, being given their medals and the national anthem being played, the athletes pointed out the team's determination and perseverance. The title winning team is made up of Cássio, Daniel, Emerson, Fábio, Guegueu, Jefinho, Marquinhos, Ricardinho, Bill and Nonato.

For goalkeeper Fábio, who defended two shots that were going straight into goal and made other important saves in the match, Brazil deserved the gold. Brazil?s number 1 made sure to honour his daughter Julia, who was born on the 20th of August. "The bigger goal was reached. I would like to offer this gold to my daughter, who was born in Brazil when I was already on my way to the Paralympics", he said. "It was worth it", he stated.

Defender Bill, from the state of Paraíba, talked about how difficult the match against the French was and of the conversation the team had in the dressing room before coming onto the pitch. "We had already played them before, but we did not do so well. So, we talked to make sure we came onto the pitch with all we had and not give the adversary space", he said. "I don?t know what will happen, but I?m sure that there will be a party in João Pessoa", he stated.

Top player
The best player in the final, number 10 Ricardinho celebrated his second gold in Paralympics and highlighted how the team grew during the tournament: "At the beginning of the competition, we were not playing well. But we improved every match". The player, from the state of Rio Grande do Sul, talked about his difficult recovery from fracturing and rupturing a ligament on his foot, which left him sidelined for two months. "I only started training again in July and my foot still hurts. It was worth the effort. I have come around."

The match
The final started with both teams moving around a lot. In the 3rd minute, Ricardinho dribbled through two defenders and made into the penalty box, but shot straight on the keeper. France answered right after, with a shot from Villeboux, which went close but wide of Fábio's left post. Brazil continued to look more dangerous and in the 9th minute, Ricardinho put on some moves and drilled a shot which was saved by the French keeper.

In the 16th minute, after a corner, Jefinho dribbled through France?s defence and almost scored. A minute later, Villeboux dribbled two Brazilians and forced Fabio to make a great save. In the 21st, Ricardinho was brought down in the box and the referee pointed to the penalty spot. Bill drilled took the shot and scored. In the 23rd, after Brazil?s fourth free-kick, France got their first. Lebarre took it and the Brazilian keeper saved it with his feet.

In the 2nd minute of the second half, Fábio made a good save after a shot from Villeboux. In the 5th minute, Ricardinho made a great move and after dribbling three French players hit the bar. In the 8th minute, after a corner, Ricardinho again went passed all the French and shot, but the keeper saved it.

The second goal came in the 16th minute. After a shot from Jefinho, the keeper saved it but in the rebound, defender Baron put it into the back of his own net:  2-0. In the 17th minute, Villeboux made a great move, got into the penalty box, but keeper Fábio managed to get the ball away. In the 19th minute, Brazil fouled the French a fifth time and their opponents had the right to a free-kick. Villeboux took it, but Fábio defended. In the 20th minute, in another free-kick with no wall, the French tried a set-play, but ended up committing a foul.