USA and Great Britain Men Stay Unbeaten, Germany Edges France, Canada and Netherlands Women Secure Key Wins at Paris 2024

Day 3 of the wheelchair basketball competition at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games showcased intense competition at the Bercy Arena. In the men’s competition, both the USA and Great Britain claimed their second victories, putting the top spots in their respective pools. Germany edged out France in a nail-biting encounter that kept fans on the edge of their seats. Meanwhile, in the women’s tournament, Canada secured a crucial win against Great Britain, while the Netherlands held off the USA to claim the top spot in Pool B.

Great Britain vs Canada (Women)

In a closely contested match, Canada secured a 63-54 victory over Great Britain. The first quarter was marked by nerves on both sides, with Canada applying intense pressure that limited Great Britain’s options. Despite early foul trouble for Canada’s Lalonde, which threatened to disrupt their rotations, Canada managed to recover and take a five-point lead into halftime. Great Britain’s Laurie Williams tried to spark a comeback in the third quarter, scoring 11 points, while Amy Conroy led her team with 15 points. However, Canada’s solid defense and accurate free-throw shooting kept them ahead, ultimately securing the win. Arinn Young led the charge for Canada with an impressive 26 points, while Cindy Ouellet also contributed significantly, adding 19 points to the Canadian tally. This crucial win in Pool A leaves Great Britain needing to secure a win against China to have any chance of finishing the group higher than 3rd.

Canada vs Great Britain (Men)

Great Britain put on a clinical performance in their match against Canada, winning 88-58. A blistering start saw GB rack up 17 points in just over five minutes, establishing a lead they never relinquished. Their efficiency and communication on the court stifled Canada’s attempts to mount a comeback. Colin Higgins, who led Canada with 14 points, and Patrick Anderson, who added 11 points, tried to keep their team in the game, but it wasn’t enough. GB’s defense remained tight throughout, allowing them to maintain a comfortable lead, with scoring threats across the board as four players hit double figures. Philip Pratt led the way with 20 points, followed by Lee Manning with 19 points, Ben Fox with 13 points, and Lee Fryer with 12 points. This second win for GB puts them at the top of Pool A.

Netherlands vs. USA (Men)

The USA cruised to a 60-34 victory over the Netherlands and remained at the top of Pool B after two games. The Dutch had trouble converting their opportunities, particularly in the first half, and their defensive lapses led to numerous fouls. The USA, led by their top scorers, continued to dominate, especially in the final quarter, where the Dutch offense collapsed. Brian Bell delivered a standout performance, recording a double-double with 18 points and 11 rebounds. Jake Williams also played a key role, scoring 17 points. For the Netherlands, Mendel Op den Orth was the standout performer, scoring 26 of their 34 points.

Netherlands vs. USA (Women)

In the battle for the top spot in Pool B of the women’s competition, the Netherlands emerged victorious against the USA with a 69-56 win. The game began evenly, with the USA narrowly leading after the first quarter, but the Netherlands slowly took control. The Dutch defense intensified in the third quarter, extending their lead as the USA continued to struggle with their shooting. Although the USA, including Rose Hollermann, who scored 21 points and grabbed 9 rebounds, and Becca Murray, who added 14 points and 8 rebounds, made significant efforts, they couldn’t close the gap. The Netherlands put on a shooting clinic in the final stages, with Mariska Beijer leading all scorers with a double-double of 34 points and 12 rebounds. Bo Kramer also played a crucial role, contributing 20 points, 11 rebounds, and 8 assists.

Germany vs. France (Men)

Germany secured a hard-fought 72-64 victory over France. France started strong, buoyed by the overwhelming support from the home crowd. However, Germany managed to claw back in the second quarter, taking the lead and maintaining it, even as the contest remained tight. The game stayed close throughout, with several lead changes in the fourth quarter, leading to a nail-biting finale. Germany ultimately silenced the home crowd by hitting crucial shots down the stretch, while France made critical errors, including Soufyane Mehiaoui and Nicolas Jouanserre fouling out—Jouanserre with two unsportsmanlike fouls.

Germany’s Matthias Guntner delivered a stellar performance, recording a double-double with 22 points and 11 rebounds. Thomas Boehme and Nico Dreimuller quietly added 15 points and 14 points, respectively. Nicolas Jouanserre led the way for France at the start, scoring 11 points in the first quarter on 81% shooting, and finished the game with 22 points and 6 rebounds. Soufyane Mehiaoui also performed well, recording a double-double with 12 points and 10 assists.

IWBF

The day’s action was marked by dramatic lead changes, standout performances, and the unwavering spirit of Paralympic competition, setting the stage for an exhilarating conclusion to the group stage. With quarter-final matchups hanging in the balance, the excitement only continues to build.

To stay updated on the wheelchair basketball competition at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games, visit the event page or follow us on social media using #Paris2024WBB for the latest news and highlights.

Photo Credit: SA Images