Denmark gain momentum at Wheelchair Rugby Euros

“We still made too many mistakes today, yet our tactical plan worked well. This victory is not a surprise to us. It makes our objective, to reach the semi-finals, a bit more realistic.”

Denmark came out with a bang on the second day of the 2013 IWRF Wheelchair Rugby European Championships on Tuesday (13 July), as they upset defending European champions Sweden in a 48-47 squeaker in Antwerp, Belgium.

This result now makes them the favourite to win Group B, though Danish coach William Bond saw it differently.

“We gained experience in the numerous games we played against them,” he said. “We still made too many mistakes today, yet our tactical plan worked well. This victory is not a surprise to us. It makes our objective, to reach the semi-finals, a bit more realistic.”

In the afternoon, Denmark went on to beat France, 59-53, a team that finished eighth at the London 2012 Paralympic Games.

France’s top player Ryad Sallem praised the Danes: “They just built out their victory in a well thought-out way. They are very strong, I expect they will go far in these European Championships.”

The Swedes, meanwhile, regained their composure and managed to blow the Italians off the field by a score of 63-40.

Also in Group B, Poland defeated Italy, 49-44.

In Group A, host nation Belgium managed to get the upper hand against Finland in a tight 46-45 decision.

“As expected, it was a very tight game,” said Belgian head coach Bob Vanacker.

“Let’s say a nightmare that ended in a good way. Tomorrow, we will play two decisive games against the Czech Republic and Germany.”

In the same group, Great Britain defeated Austrian 59-39 and then reigned victorious against the Czech Republic in the evening, 62-33. The British squad now sits atop Group B with Belgium.

In the Czech Republic’s earlier game, they fell to Germany by a score of 50-43. Germany defeated Finland in the final game of the day.