Win for GB at World Cup
GB got their Wheelchair Basketball campaign off to a flying start at the BT Paralympic World Cup, defeating Italy in empathic style, whilst there was double-delight for the Dutch women’s Wheelchair Basketball and men’s Football 7-a-side teams, on day three of the competition.
The GB men impressed in their victory, with Ian Sagar hitting 15 points while Simon Munn recorded a double-double of 11 points and 11 rebounds and John Pollock drained 9. The final score saw GB defeat Italy by 20 points, with a score of 57-37.
Munn said, “At the moment we are concentrating on ourselves as a team and not really looking at how others are performing. This competition is all about preparation for the World Championships, and I am looking forward to playing Australia, they are the best team in the world and I know if we tighten our shots we can go a long way.”
The opening game of the women’s competition saw the 2009 BT Paralympic World Cup champions, the Netherlands, take on Australia, who were making their debut in Manchester.
It was the Dutch side who scored the opening basket and from then on they rarely let their lead slip, going on to win by a solitary point; 43-42.
There was also Orange success in the Football 7-a-side when a dominant Dutch side beat GB 3-1.
At half-time both sides entered the changing rooms at a goalless deadlock but upon their return Iljas Visker proved deadly in front of the posts once again, volleying in a rebound.
Dennis Straatman then doubled the Dutch lead, with a free-kick a former number seven at Manchester United would have been proud of. GB’s Matt Dimbylow offered a glimmer of hope with a goal on the 45th minute but Visker sealed the match with his fourth strike of the tournament.
Visker said, “The weather was much better today which is good for us. We have the US tomorrow so be good to have the same weather and I believe we could win and see Ireland in the gold medal match on Saturday.”
In the days other match the Republic of Ireland beat the USA 5-2 in a thriller, which saw their captain Gary Messett bag a brace within the first 25 minutes.
While the Republic of Ireland only needs one point from tomorrow’s game in order to qualify for the gold medal match, they will be acutely aware that the host nation GB requires a full three points if their hopes of a final appearance are to stay alive.
Back inside at the Regional Arena and defending Wheelchair Basketball champions Australia suffered a 39-36 loss to Canada.
Both sides were evenly matched with each in the 30 per cent mark for shooting accuracy while Canada made 17 turnovers to Australia’s 13. The lead only changed hands four times in the game and Canada at one point dominated with a 10-point gap.
Australia’s Dylan Alcott said, “They gave us a good push but we know we can do better. We don’t feel any added pressure coming in here as favourites. It was the same before Beijing but we love to be hunted. We still want to win this tournament.”
The GB women could not match the men’s fortune’s though as they struggled to contain a formidable Canada and eventually lost 56-30.
Tomorrow sees the busiest day of the BT Paralympic World Cup, as ‘Super Friday’ enjoys a visit from the official London 2012 Paralympic mascot, Mandeville.
Day four will see GB take on Ireland in the Football 7-a-side tournament, with USA against the Netherlands; whilst in the Wheelchair Basketball GB’s men and women take on Canada and the Netherlands, respectively. The other matches on the court will see Italy versus Australia men and Canada against Australia women.
