Three unbeaten at 2014 World Wheelchair Basketball champs

“I thought it might have been more difficult today because of how many times we had played Japan ahead of the Wold Championships, because they know how we play and we know how they play, but at the end of the day we out performed them.”

Three teams have maintained their unbeaten record on day five (9 July) of the 2014 World Wheelchair Basketball Championships in Incheon, South Korea.

Reigning world champions Australia secured a narrow victory over Turkey to hold on to their perfect record, whilst Great Britain comfortably beat Japan and Spain edged past Korea.

With the second group stages now reaching their twilight phase, these victories ensure that all three sides have booked their place in the quarter-finals.

Group E

Great Britain 65-47 Japan

A strong first-half display from Great Britain ensured that they were comfortable winners against Japan.

Led by Gaz Choudry, who scored 21 of Great Britain’s 41 first-half points, they took in a hefty 18 point lead at the half-way stage.

Japan fought back in the third, outscoring the Brits before Britain expressed their dominance once more in the fourth, finishing as eventual 65-47 winners.

Speaking to British Wheelchair Basketball, Great Britain’s Harry Brown said: “It was nice to get a good win, a big win at that, hopefully we can use this and push on to the next game.

“I thought it might have been more difficult today because of how many times we had played Japan ahead of the Wold Championships, because they know how we play and we know how they play, but at the end of the day we out performed them.”

Spain 57-49 South Korea

Spain had to rely on a strong second half comeback to maintain their unbeaten record and hold on to top spot in group E.

They found themselves trailing by three at the half-way stage as Korea started strongly. However, a dominant third quarter from the Spanish limited South Korea to just four points whilst they scored 12 themselves.

In an open fourth quarter, victory was secured as Spain’s quality proved too strong, adding another 16 points to South Korea’s 13, to give them a 57-49 victory.

Iran 53-51 Argentina

In what was the closest game on the day, Iran kept up the heat at the top of group E with victory over Argentina.

At the half-way stage, with Iran holding an 11 point lead, it looked as if they were going to be comfortable winners.

But a huge third quarter from Argentina saw them draw level. However, in an enticing fourth, Iran edged past their opponents to take a two-point victory with the scores at 53-51.

Group F

Australia 63-58 Turkey

Reigning world champions Australia escaped a tight encounter with Turkey to maintain their unbeaten record.

After exchanging blows in the first quarter, Australia then fell behind in the second as a shock looked on the cards.

They responded with vengeance in the third, however, to ensure that their lead was strong enough to secure 63-58 victory, despite Turkey taking a one point advantage in the fourth.

Germany 48-88 USA

The USA returned to winning ways with a dominant victory over Germany.

After a high-scoring opening half for both sides, the USA’s offensive prowess proved too much for the Europeans.

The USA were hungry after being defeated by Italy yesterday, and scored over 20 points in each quarter to ensure that they were comfortable 48-88 victors.

Italy 70-37 Colombia

Italy booked their place in the quarter-finals with a resounding victory over Colombia.

Buoyed by beating the USA yesterday, the Europeans were dominant from the off, heavily outscoring Colombia to all but guarantee their victory by the end of the third quarter.

The South Americans did mount a comeback in the fourth, but Italy’s lead was unassailable as they finished 70-37 winners.

Group G

Elsewhere in group G, Sweden defeated the Netherlands 79-73 in a real high-scoring affair, whilst Mexico grabbed their second victory of the tournament with a 55-44 win over Algeria.

For more information on the tournament, or to check out the standings, visit the official website of the 2014 World Wheelchair Basketball Championships.