By Tom Degun

July 11 - Britain’s men secured their place in the World Wheelchair Basketball Championships quarter-finals at the National Indoor Arena (NIA) in Birmingham after they were made to work hard to secure a 75-59 victory over a Polish side that proved hard to break down.



Britain started the Pool-A match well by taking a healthy 11 point lead in the first quarter with Simon Munn scoring ten points for the hosts.

But in the second quarter, the tables were turned as Britain’s defence became complacent and with the help of their player coach Piotr Luszynski, Poland made a strong comeback winning the quarter 23-13.

A half-time roasting from head coach Murray Treseder saw Britain come out with extra urgency and captain Jon Pollock gave his team some breathing space with a superb three-pointer followed shortly by an extra basket to give the hosts a lead at the end of the third quarter.

With the cushion established, Britain drew away in the final quarter with a three-point play from Ian Sagar making the deficit eight points.

Poland were then weakened as Jan Cryul was fouled out the game and the experience of the British team told as the match finished with a flattering 16 point victory for Treseder’s team.

But despite the win, Britain will have to up their game for their final Pool-A match against the United States, who, like the hosts, are unbeaten in the competition.

The US dominated their match from start to finish against Japan as they secured an 89-46 victory to send an ominous warning to their rivals.

Joseph Chambers and Matthew Scott led the points scoring for the US and Reo Fujimoto put in another good performance with 17 points. 

The other Pool-A match saw Italy beat South Korea 73-51 to edge their way closer to a quarter-final spot.

In Pool-B, defending world champions Canada and Paralympic gold medallists Australia continued to stretch their unbeaten runs.

Australia comfortably won their match against Mexico 50-25 as Justin Eveson recorded 22 points while Canada beat Turkey 69-60 with Adam Lancia top scoring for the Canadians with 21 points.

In the other Pool-B match, France beat Algeria 69-47 to leave the Algerians without a win in Birmingham in four attempts. 

Meanwhile, in the women’s competition, Germany moved closer to a quarter final spot by beating Japan 59-52 in Pool-B despite Japan’s Mari Amimoto top scoring overall with 17 points.

China beat Brazil 61-41 the same group put the South American side out of quarter final contention while in Pool-A the Netherlands, caused perhaps the biggest upset in the tournament so far by defeating Australia 57-44 with a convincing display.

Canada beat Mexico  69-44 in the only other women’s game of the day as Britain’s women had the day off following their spirited 48-40 defeat at the hands of Australia.

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