Italy win overtime thriller in Frankfurt

“The last two days in our group are very difficult with Sweden tomorrow and Spain. That will be the most important games for being number one in the group. That’s why we have to focus on tomorrow.”

In a tight overtime contest, Italy came out with a 68-57 victory in the men’s preliminary round of the 2013 IWBF European Wheelchair Basketball Championships on Monday (1 July) in Frankfurt, Germany.

Although the Swiss where leading most of this game, several missed free throws would ultimately do them in, and by the overtime period they had little energy left.

Matteo Cavagnini led Italy with 23 points, while Philipp Hafeli netted 15 points for Switzerland.

Great Britain 81, Belgium 59 (men)

Despite a low free-thrown conversion rate, the British full-court press came through to lead them to victory behind 19 points from Terry Bywater. Samir Bader led Belgium with 14 points.

Netherlands 67, Germany 47 (men)

The German team lost against the Netherlands in what appeared to be a disappointing performance for the host nation, especially on the offensive end.

Musafa Korkmaz once again led the Dutch squad, this time with 33 points, while Germany’s Sebastian Magenheim and Thomas Bohme each finished with 11 points.

Turkey 92, Poland 59 (men)

The Turkish team continued their run in Frankfurt with another healthy victory, keeping their undefeated record at the Championships thus far.

“This was our third game. Of course we are happy,” Turkish head coach Remzi Sedat Incesu said.

“The last two days in our group are very difficult with Sweden tomorrow and Spain. That will be the most important games for being number one in the group. That’s why we have to focus on tomorrow.”

Spain 56, France 40 (men)

Spain won their third match in Frankfurt by a comfortable margin against France, meaning they have now already qualified for the quarter-final round. It marks the third defeat in a row for the French.

Israel 69, Sweden 66 (men)

In a balanced matchup, Israel came out on the winning side, an essential step forward for their programme.

“First of all I have to say, that the Swedish team is a very good team and it was really hard for us to play,” Israeli head coach Ariel Ottolenghi said.

“But as I said yesterday, we are growing from game to game. The first one was bad, the second better and today’s match was good. We did it and I´m happy.”

Germany 81, Israel 32 (women)

Israel’s women’s team didn’t have as much luck, as they were shut down by Germany’s heavy defense. Marina Mohnen led the Germns with 15 points, while Moran Samuel led Israel with 21 points.

France 56, Spain 43 (women)

The French women’s team recorded their first victory at the Championships, capitalising on many Spanish turnovers to create and maintain a comfortable lead.

“We are very sad because we have lost against France,” said Spanish head coach Jose Miguel Lopez.

“The French team was a serious rival. We have tried but the game is the game. Basketball is basketball. Someone has to lose. Now we wait.”

Netherlands 77, Italy 21 (women)

The Dutch women’s team earned their second victory of the tournament, and head coach Gertjan van der Linden was quite convinced by his squad’s strong defensive effort and smart, fast play under the basket.

Now their focus turns to facing a tough British squad in their next preliminary round matchup.

Great Britain 60, Turkey 43 (women)

From the get-go Great Britain had this game in their hands, and Turkey struggled to fight back. Amy Conroy was the leading scorer for the British squad in their win.