Sweden renew wheelchair rugby European title

Sweden defeated Denmark for gold and Great Britain beat Germany for bronze at the IWRF Wheelchair Rugby Euros. 18 Aug 2013
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Sweden wheelchair rugby team

Sweden defended their European title at the 2013 IWRF Wheelchair Rugby European Championships.

ⒸNPC Belgium
By IPC

Great Britain defeated Germany, 56-43, in the bronze-medal game.

In a cherished final at the IWRF Wheelchair Rugby European Championships on Saturday (17 August), Sweden defended their title with a thrilling 49-48 victory over Denmark, the host nation for next year’s World Championships.

The Danish came out strong in the beginning, as the Swedish side had difficulties and had to use their timeouts early, but they held their own after that to come out on top.

Swedish head coach Gustav Forare said: “I really love this team. This is typical Sweden, we started the competition like crap, but game after game, we managed to play better until the final where we were conquer the gold once again.

Before this competition, we had to bring the floating trophy back to Belgium but almost forgot it. We than promised the federation we would come back to Sweden with it. Next year’s World Championships will be much more difficult, but we can be the surprise there. It’s party time for now.”

Prior to that, Great Britain defeated Germany, 56-43, in the bronze-medal game.

“We really wanted to destroy the Germans with a difference as big as possible,” said Great Britain’s veteran star Alan Ash.

“We are proud to win the bronze medal in this way. We want to help make the European level progress as much as possible in order to play an important role at the Worlds and the Games.”

Earlier in the day, Italy and the Czech Republic were relegated to the European B division after finishing in the last two spots in the tournament in Antwerp, Belgium. Italy defeated the Czech Republic, 50-42, for 11th place. Poland, meanwhile, beat Austria 46-44 for ninth place.

Belgium took fifth place with a 51-46 victory over Finland, while France defeated Switzerland 47-44 to claim the last ticket to next year’s World Championships, which will take place in Denmark.

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