Ireland's wheelchair rugby team has been involved in the sport since 1997. © • IWRF International Wheelchair Rugby Federation’s (IWRF) European Qualifier will be the first sanctioned tournament Italy's wheelchair rugby team will attend. © • IWRF

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Europe is the largest of the IWRF’s three zones, and continues to grow at a rapid pace.

The International Wheelchair Rugby Federation’s (IWRF) European Qualifier will take place at Gormanston College just outside of Dublin, Ireland, from 7-9 February.

National teams from the Czech Republic, Italy, Netherlands and host country Ireland will all attend the event in hopes of earning one of the two available spots left at the IWRF European Championships, to be held in Antwerp, Belgium this August.

Europe is the largest of the IWRF’s three zones, and continues to grow at a rapid pace.

Ireland, a nation that has been playing wheelchair rugby since 1997, hosted the tournament four years ago and now has a squad of 35 players.

“We expect all of the games to be closely fought and hope to earn one of the qualifying places,” Hamill told the IWRF.

“In the past the Dutch team has been our biggest challenge. However, over the past few years there has been very little between ourselves and the Czech Republic – always very competitive games. Italy is relatively new to the game and we have not played them before, but we are taking nothing for granted there either. I suspect they are waiting in the long grass to take a few scalps.”

Wheelchair rugby began in Italy a little more than two years ago in a region called Veneto, the same area where the country’s national rugby side started 100 years ago. This is the first sanctioned tournament the Italians will attend, and it will earn them a position on the IWRF World Ranking list.

Team manager Claudio da Ponte said the squad have been preparing by going through some unofficial test matches.

“We know that we still have to work very hard to reach the other ranked national teams, but this is a great chance for us, and I know that all players and coaches will give the best they can,” she told the IWRF.

“Every team for us will be a great challenge, but the first match against Holland will say the truth about our chance to qualify for the European Champs.”

The Czech Republic are celebrating their 20th anniversary in the sport, and like many countries, they still struggle with finding adequate funding. With 30 active players and 10 on the recreational side, David Lukes, President of CRWR and coach of the national team said this is their biggest challenge.

“People in Czech Republic respect our sport and everybody around who makes our game possible,” he said.

“We have only one big problem, which is finding money and sponsors for our sport. Players have to pay a portion of the costs by themselves and this negatively influences the development and growth of wheelchair rugby as a sport; it also has a negative effect on work with rookies and newcomers. With that being said, we are lucky to have people and organizations that help us and I would like to thank all of them for their support.”

When asked about the upcoming tournament in Dublin, he went on to say: “Ireland and Netherlands are on the same level now. I saw both teams during Rugbymania, and they are getting better and better. Ireland will have the benefit of home environment and fan support; Netherlands has Thomas Pool back in the National Team line up. We have the best team since the 2007 European Championship, and we hope that we finish in the first two places to get the opportunity to go to Belgium and place among the best 12 teams in Europe.”

IWRF 2013 European Qualifier tournament schedule

Thursday, 7 February

18:00 Opening Ceremony

18:15 Ireland vs. Czech Republic

20:00 Netherlands vs. Italy

Friday, 8 February

11:00 Ireland vs. Italy

13:00 Netherlands vs. Czech Republic

18:00 Ireland vs. Netherlands

19:45 Italy vs. Czech Republic

Saturday, 9 February

14:00 Bronze-medal match

16:30 Gold-medal match

Derrick Helton #13 of the United States attempts to get the ball from Jared Funk #13 of Canada during the mixed wheelchair rugby open semi-final at London 2012. © • Getty

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It was a done deal. Australia had already beaten Japan in the wheelchair rugby semis, now USA would beat Canada and the Aussies and Americans would meet in the final.

If people weren’t saying it, they were thinking it – except, that is, for the Canadian underdogs.

Going into the competition, USA were ranked first and Canada was fifth.

The last time Canada had beaten USA was at a training camp in Alabama, USA, before Beijing 2008 and in the semi-finals at Athens 2004.

In the locker room before the game, there was no tough team talk from Canadian coach Kevin Orr, just long looks and a silent agreement that this was their time.

USA war cries

Sitting in the tunnel before they entered the stadium, Canada had to endure their opponents chanting, “USA, USA, USA” for around 20 minutes.

“We were almost laughing because it was getting so repetitive and because of how immature they were being,” said 18-year-old Zak Madell.

“It seemed that when we got out there, the US worked so hard on warming up that by the time we got to the Game, they were already worn out,” he joked.

The American war cries did nothing to dampen the Canadian spirits and they went into the match, all guns blazing.

“We were confident going in, even though we were the underdogs. We knew we had a good shot at it, but I don’t think the team thought we would blow them out of the water that much,” said Madell.

Canada took advantage of a couple of easy turnovers at the start, wtih 1.0-pointer Trevor Hirschfield playing a solid reliable game in that respect.

“People don’t expect it coming from a low-pointer,” said Madell. “But he’s just so good at what he does and it made a huge difference in that game.”

The 3.5-pointer was surprised to look up at the score clock after the first quarter to see they were up by seven points.

Secret weapon

At 18, Madell was the youngest player on the team and the newest to top-level competition, having only started playing a year before the Games.

“Even though I was the youngest and newest player out there, I tried not to let that affect my emotions too much,” he said. “I didn’t go out feeling all nervous. I just went out and played rugby the way that I know that I can.”

The youngster has been described by his London 2012 roommate, Mike Whitehead, as Canada’s secret weapon. Leading up to London 2012, he had only played a few minutes each game so that his opponents could not adjust to the way he played and figure out his tricks.

Like Australian star player Ryley Batt, Madell is an amputee athlete and has full trunk function, which gives him some extra power and manoeuvrability. Both play aggressively on court, though Madell’s style is generally cleaner.

USA fight back

With a strong 16-9 lead, the Canadians started to get over-confident and the USA started to turn the screw in the second quarter, with Chuck Aoki the instigator as he scored four goals and forced Canada out of bounds.

“The first quarter was quite an adventure, an unexpected pleasure, that’s for sure, but I remember thinking, don’t get too excited, we’ve been here before,” said 3-pointer Mike Whitehead.

“We’re a team that until we have got somebody on our throats, we’re like OK, you woke up the old guys, let’s play a game here. That usually happens in the fourth quarter. So we’re always trailing and then we win these close games,” said Whitehead. “So everyone is having their minds blown that now we’re a team that’s beating the best team in the world in the first quarter.

The sudden lead threw Canada off-guard, and it was up to coach Kevin Orr to get them back on course.

“The coach made it clear to me that I had changed and I was now playing to lose, instead of to win,” said Whitehead. “With him looking me in the eyes and stating what was obvious, I was able to finish the game with the confidence that I needed, and playing to win.”

Perfect finish

Another tactic that the Canadian team had not revealed until the tournament was for Garett Hickling and Mike Whithead to finish the quarters.

“Hickling is someone who’s been around so long and you can always count on him to play his best when it’s needed,” said Whitehead.

“He played in the most important times in the games,” said Whitehead.

“He is also someone who shines at the biggest moments. So having Hickling finish quarters is a no-brainer for team Canada.”

“Hickling’s very consistent and very positive. When he’s on the court with me, I know that special things are about to happen."

By the final minute, the score was 49-49. Madell was sitting quietly on the bench, dreading the penalty that had just lost Canada a point and Hickling came on to do what he does best.

High tension

Everyone sensed the tension in stadium. Nobody wanted to miss a moment. All eyes were locked on the game.

“I felt a bit of pressure, but I do have a bit of experience,” said Hickling, who has been on the team for almost 20 years.

“The main thing on my mind was, don’t mess this up, you know.”

Whitehead and Hickling got a key turnover, then the US team fouled them twice. Hickling took his time to convert the goal, leaving no time for the USA to take it to overtime and Canada won 50-49.

“You’ve got 12,000 fans there and you hear your bench talking down the clock – that’s quite memorable too,” said Hickling.

In a moment they will remember for the rest of their lives, the team stormed the court as the clock hit zero.

“It felt incredible,” said Hickling.”The USA have been one of the more dominant teams in the last 10 years. It always feels good when you beat one of the No. 1 teams.

“It’s an incredible honour (to be the No. 5 moment of the year). We go to play hard and have fun. Just to be a memorable moment in all the sports at the Paralympics is a great honour,” said Hickling, who has his heart set on gold at Rio 2016.

“We do have two silvers and one bronze – definitely missing the gold.”

Editor’s Note: For the final 50 days of the year, the IPC will count down the year’s top moments in Paralympic sport, culminating with the year’s best moment on 31 December.

The 50 moments were selected by nominations from National Paralympic Committees and International Federations and are based on sport performance, emotional moments, media attraction and athletes’ personal stories.

Take a look at what we think were London 2012's top 12 upsets.

1. Oliveira beating Pistorius

Ahead of the start of the men’s 200m T44, South Africa’s Oscar Pistorius received a rapturous ovation from the capacity crowd of 80,000. By the time he had overtaken America’s Blake Leeper inside the first 50m and then exploded off the bend well ahead of the field, the race was going according to script.

But then Brazil’s Alan Oliveira produced outstanding acceleration along the home stretch, passing Pistorius in the closing stages to record one of the biggest upsets in history in a time of 21.45.

2. Huang ends Aggar’s five-year reign

Going into the race, British rower Tom Aggar was undefeated at international events since 2007, but he could not replicate that performance as the other competitors came out stronger. China’s world-record holder Cheng Huang ended the championship reign of Aggar on the final rowing race day at Eton Dorney in the men’s singles sculls ASM1x A final. Huang recorded a top time of 4:52.36, and Aggar did not even make the podium.

3. One goal is enough

A single goal was enough for Japan to take gold against world champions China in the finals of the women’s goalball competition.

4. Goalball men play a whole new game

Finland thrashed Brazil in the men’s goalball final, scoring eight goals, but neither had been expected to even make it to the finals. Favourites Lithuania and Sweden failed to medal.

5. “Grandpa” Murray knocked out of individual competition

Great Britain’s Nigel Murray was forced to retire without an individual medal after being beaten in the boccia BC2 quarter-finals by China’s Zhong Kai. Murray won bronze in the team event.

6. Soazo loses Paralympic title

The biggest shock in the judo competition perhaps came from the hotly tipped Naomi Soazo of Venezuela, who fell into the repechage after her first contest in the -63kg division. Soazo looked far stronger in her repechage and progressed to the bronze-medal match.

Soazo’s bronze-medal contest looked to be going her way, getting a point on the board quickly with a first minute yuko, but out of nowhere her Brazilian opponent achieved ippon.

Daniele Bernardes Milan took the bronze medal, her first in the weight division, having won two bronze medals previously at Athens and Beijing in the -57kg division.

7. Canada beating USA in wheelchair rugby semis

Canada produced one of the most memorable wheelchair rugby performances ever to defeat arch-rival USA, 50-49, in the semi-finals. USA went on to win the bronze-medal game against Japan, and Canada claimed silver after losing to Australia in the finals.

8. Cundy’s disqualification from C4-5 time trial

One of Great Britain’s medal hopefuls, Jody Cundy, reacted emotionally after being disqualified in the C4-5 time trial. He encountered a problem at the start, skidding out of the gate and never getting going. The time trial title went to Spain’s Alfonso Cabello, whose time of 1:05.95 also broke the C5 world record that had belonged to Great Britain’s Jon-Allan Butterworth.

9. USA women miss out on wheelchair basketball medal

The Netherlands, cheered on by the vocal crowd, stunned the USA with a clinical and comprehensive 71-47 victory in the bronze-medal match.

10. Quadfather knocked out

Great Britain’s Peter “the Quadfather” Norfolk’s loss to No. 10 seeded Shraga Weinberg of Israel was the biggest upset of the wheelchair tennis quad singles competition. The favourite won the first set comfortably 6–3, but with 22 unforced errors in the second it was all downhill for the British former champion. Weinberg took the win by a score of 3–6, 7–5, 6–2.

11. Sarri catches Datsko out in fencing

Italian Alessio Sarri caused a big upset in the men’s sabre category B quarter-finals in wheelchair fencing, catching potential medallist and world champion Anton Datsko off guard and defeating the Ukrainian, 15-13.

12. No triple-gold this time for Lee Pearson

For the first time ever, Great Britain’s Lee Pearson left the Games without three gold medals. Instead he won one of each colour. Austria’s Pepo Puch won gold in the Freestyle 1b with a score of 79.150 riding Fine Feeling. He was 5 points ahead of Finland's partially sighted rider Katja Karjalainen and Rosie with 74.250. Home favourite Pearson finished third overall with 74.200.

“It’s a great feeling and hopefully it won’t be too long until Australia wins the gold medal again.”

Australia took gold in the wheelchair rugby at the London 2012 Paralympic Games with a dominating 66-51 victory against Canada at the Basketball Arena.

The Australians always looked in control and at half time had a 13-point advantage following two successful first half periods.

The third and fourth quarter were also both won by the Australians, ensuring they won all 20 quarters they played in London.

Ryley Batt ended his impressive tournament with 37 more points to take his tally to a remarkable 161 in the five matches he played. Chris Bond added 15 points to top off a successful debut Paralympics.

Early mistakes from a number of experienced Canadian players didn’t help their cause, with Batt and Bond continuing their brilliant partnership that was present throughout the competition.

Naz Erdem finally won a Paralympic final at his third attempt and understands how important the start was for his side.

“It was absolutely crucial for us to get the really good start that we did,” Erdem said.

“It takes any pressure off of us and puts it all onto the opposition.

“It’s a great feeling and hopefully it won’t be too long until Australia wins the gold medal again.”

Kevin Orr, the Canadian coach, paid credit to Australia after their performance in the final.

“It’s disappointing to not win, but the better team won on the day,” Orr said.

“We came here with the intention to win gold, but we haven’t done that.

“I’m obviously delighted to win a silver medal, but we haven’t made our goal. It’s a hard-fought game and I’m really proud of my guys' performances during the competition."

USA took the bronze medal following a relatively comfortable encounter against Japan, in which they came out winning 53-43.

The Americans started the brighter of the two sides, but moments of magic from Japan’s Daisuke Ikesaki and Kazuhiko Kanno kept the Asians in the match.

The Japanese had led 10-9 with Ikesaki intercepting a loose pass by USA’s Derrick Helton.

However, consistent great play from the Americans forced errors by Japan, which gave the USA a lead of 24-21 at half time.

The USA came out stronger after the break, winning the third quarter 15-10 to increase their lead to eight points.

The final quarter was a similar story, with the USA continuing to keep hold of their advantage.

USA captain Will Groulx was disappointed to not be in the gold medal match, but the courage to return after the disappointing semi-final defeat to Canada pleased him.

“We went back, we regrouped and we showed that we all have hearts of a champion. Today we fought hard against a team that really brought the game to us,” Groulx said.

“We have such a phenomenal team and every player brings something special.

“Without a doubt we came into the tournament with the intention to be on top of the podium. We stumbled. You can guarantee that the USA wheelchair rugby team will come back strong from this.”

Only three Japanese players scored in the bronze medal match – Ikesake top scoring with 27 points.

Shin Nakazato added five points to Japan’s tally and believes the lack of options punished them against the USA.

“They have two or three line-ups, while we only really have one which is the main reason we lost,” Kakazato said.

“The USA also have three coaches together with them, we only have one. They have more equipment and more support. This makes a big difference.”