France Tips the Netherlands for Tournament Papendal Title

Four men’s Wheelchair Basketball teams got an early feel last weekend for what next month’s 2011 European Championships will be like.

The Netherland’s hosted Belgium, France and Sweden in the Tournament Papendal, in which it lost to the French in Sunday’s (21 August) final, 65-47.

The Dutch, who were led by Paul Toes’ efforts, qualified for the final undefeated and even beat France for the first time in three years a the round-robin game by 25 points. However, they fell short to the same team in the final.

“We’re still growing, especially in our communication on the court,” Toes said of the Dutch team. “But these last couple of months communication on defence has improved especially.”

Both the Netherlands and France finished the tournament with three wins and one loss.

In Sunday’s third-place game, Sweden defeated Belgium, 65-56. Sweden finished the weekend with a two wins, two losses record. Belgium left winless.

Next up, all four teams will be take part in the European Championships in Nazareth, Israel, from 6-18 September. The top six teams from Europe will qualify for next summer’s Paralympic Games.