Day four review: Women’s Wheelchair Basketball World Championships

Germany and the Netherlands remain undefeated as the group stage reaches its latter stages 24 Jun 2014

Two female basketball players in wheelchairs fight for the ball. A referee watches them from behind

Germany defeated Canada on day 4 of the 2014 Women’s World Wheelchair Basketball Championships in Toronto, Canada

ⒸWheelchair Basketball Canada

By IPC

There were also wins for Great Britain, Japan, Australia and France as the pool phase reaches its latter stages.

Host nation Canada came out flying against No. 1 ranked Germany on day four (23 June) of the 2014 Women’s World Wheelchair Basketball Championship in Toronto, Canada, but were left disappointed as the Germans fought back to claim victory in an exciting clash.

Elsewhere, the Netherlands continued their impressive form with a big victory over 2010 World Champions, the USA.

There were also wins for Great Britain, Japan, Australia and France as the pool phase reaches its latter stages.

Pool B

On Monday evening (23 June) at the Mattamy Athletic Centre, Canada grabbed the early advantage, making shot after shot to hold a 21-18 advantage after one quarter.

That success continued into the second quarter, with Germany also prolific in their shooting, meaning Canada led 34-31 at the half-way stage.

The second half was a much different story as Germany’s defence forced the Canadians to turn the ball over, allowing them to outscore Canada 18-9 and 15-10 in the second half to remain undefeated with a 64-53 win and claim first place in Pool B.

“Canada is a good team, and we are too,” Germany’s head coach Holger Glinicki said after the game. “They played well in the first half and so it was very close, but we have to play forty minutes and after forty I think we are the better team.”

Canada’s coach Bill Johnson on the other hand was trying to stay positive following the loss.

“If we are only going to beat them once in the tournament then we’d rather it be in the playoff games,” Johnson said. “We missed a couple of shots and made a couple of turnovers, and against a team as talented as Germany that makes all the difference.”

Marina Mohnen scored 29 points for Germany while Gesche Schunemann chipped in with 28 points herself. Cindy Ouellet was Canada’s top scorer with 16 points.

Elsewhere in Pool B, Great Britain and were pushed hard by China before a late surge saw them run out eventual 64-47 winners.

As the game wore on, Great Britain’s energy levels proved the decisive factor as they went on an 11-2 run in the third quarter to strengthen their lead en route to their third victory of the tournament.

Helen Freeman had her best performance of the tournament for Great Britain, notching 36 points while adding six assists in the win. China’s top scorer was Yong Qing Fu who scored 12 points.

Meanwhile, Japan fought off a persistent Brazil team to win 63-52 in Pool B’s final game of day four.

Pool A

Australia continued their good form with a third straight victory, beating Mexico 60-30.

Unlike against France on Sunday, Australia started out strong with a 10-2 run to start the game before taking a 21-2 lead after ten minutes.

That lead was stretched to 37-10 by the half and from this untenable position, there was no way back for the Mexicans.

Elsewhere, straight from the opening tip the Netherlands went ahead and never gave up the lead in a 76-54 victory over the USA on Monday night.

The USA went on an 8-4 run to start the second to cut the deficit to 10. The Netherlands would continue to push and Jitske Visser made a big shot at the buzzer to put her team up by 12 at half time.

The second half saw the Netherlands continue to extend that lead and work the Americans down low, scoring 42 of their points from in the paint to remain undefeated in the tournament.

In Pool A’s final game, France defeated Peru 68-15.

Angelique Pichon shot 16 points and claimed 10 rebounds for France while her teammate Marianne Buso chipped in with 12 points of her own.

France’s win secures them a place in Thursday’s (26 June) quarterfinal games.

The preliminary round play finishes up at the Mattamy Athletic Centre on Tuesday (24 June) with six games.

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