The Netherlands Retain Paralympic Title

The Netherlands successfully defended their Paralympic gold medal, defeating the USA 63-49 in the final of the women’s wheelchair basketball competition at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games. This win marks the Dutch team’s second consecutive Paralympic gold, while the USA’s silver follows their bronze medal from Tokyo 2020.

The two teams had already faced off earlier in the Games in Pool B, where the Americans fell short by 13 points. In the final, the game got off to an unexpected start, with the USA jumping to a seven-point lead halfway through the first quarter. The Netherlands struggled offensively, shooting just 23% from the field, with the USA’s tough defense contributing to their difficulties. The Americans took the first quarter by four points and continued their strong play into the second quarter.

It wasn’t until the final three minutes of the first half that the Dutch took control, pushing the ball forward, drawing fouls, and creating scoring opportunities through well-executed set plays. The Netherlands won the second quarter by 11 points, giving them a seven-point lead at halftime.

In the third quarter, the Netherlands continued to show why they are reigning champions. Their aggressive defense forced the USA into five turnovers, and they capitalised on these mistakes by fast-breaking at every opportunity. The Americans struggled to get good shots off, often running the shot clock down to its final seconds, which even resulted in a few 24-second violations. The Netherlands extended their lead by another four points, pushing the margin to 11 heading into the final quarter.

The USA’s final push to secure gold started strong, with the Americans cutting the lead to single digits within the first two minutes of the fourth quarter. However, the Netherlands responded with a decisive 7-0 run, highlighted by two clutch free throws and a three-pointer from Bo Kramer. While both teams exchanged baskets briefly, the USA couldn’t keep pace. In a desperate attempt to close the gap, the Americans began launching three-pointers early in their possessions, but their efforts fell short. The Netherlands held strong, winning the quarter by three points and securing the 63-49 victory.

For the Netherlands, both Bo Kramer and Mariska Beijer posted double-doubles. Kramer finished with 23 points, 12 rebounds, and 5 assists, while Beijer contributed 22 points, 10 rebounds, and 3 assists. Despite a strong start from Rose Hollermann, who led the USA with 17 points and 8 rebounds, the Americans couldn’t overcome the Dutch dominance.

For more updates on the wheelchair basketball competition at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games, visit the event page or follow the action on social media using #Paris2024WBB.

Written by Esha Naya for IWBF.