By Tom Degun in Manchester

Helen_Freeman_v_Germany_BT_Paralympic_World_Cup_May_24_2011May 24 - Britain's men's and women's basketball teams showed their class here on day two of the 2011 BT Paralympic World Cup at the Regional Arena as both claimed superb wins their respective games.


Britain's men produced the far more comprehensive win as they destroyed Brazil 76-43 in a one-sided encounter but the women's team were undoubtedly the more impressive as they claimed a shock 58-53 win over Beijing 2008 silver medallists Germany to surge to the top the World Cup leader board.

The women's side, who had never beaten Germany heading into the game, held their defence spectacularly in the final minutes to secure a historic five point win and edge closer to the gold medal match on Thursday (May 26).

Helen Freeman (pictured), currently in Manchester after taking a break from a sports scholarship at the University of Illinois in the Untied States, was the top scorer for Britain for the second time in two days with 21 points as the side built emphatically on their win over Canada yesterday.

"I am extremely happy, it is the first time we have ever beaten Germany," said Britain's head coach Garry Peel.

"The game plan was to stop them defensively, which is exactly what the girls did and they played perfectly."

Sarah McPhee, who was making her debut for the team, added: "What a game to make my first ever appearance for GB.

"I loved every second of it.

"I was excited and nervous going into the game but am thrilled with the result."

Britain's men then faced Brazil in a battle they needed to win to stay in contention for the gold medal match after they were convincingly beaten by France yesterday.

Strong scoring from Matt Sealy and Dan Highcock saw the hosts dominate the first half and they went into the break with a 20 point lead over the South American nation, who are making their debut appearance at the event as they look ahead to hosting the Paralympics in 2016.

The second half saw the defending champions continue to further their lead as they claimed a huge 33 point win to bounce back superbly from their defeat to France.

"I was really pleased with the game today and I got my head really into it quickly and then everything else seemed to fall into place and I was delighted to be top scorer," said Sealy, who top scored with 18 points.

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"We took on board what went wrong yesterday and we have tried to improve on it and hopefully tomorrow will be another strong game."

Head coach Murray Treseder added: "Defensively today we caused mayhem and it's what we needed to do as they had a size advantage on us.

"It was great to be able to get every one of our players on the court and for our young 16-year-old Harry Brown to have some time playing.

"We were much better than yesterday and let's hope tomorrow we can be even better."

World bronze medallists France, also making their debut at the BT Paralympic World Cup, defeated Paralympic silver medallists Canada in the other men's game of the day.

The French won 60-56 to claim their first ever win over Canada to continue their momentum at the event following their win over Britain on day one.

There was also a thrilling finale to the women's Canada versus Japan match with the game going into double overtime before Japan came out on top with a score of 73-70.

Today's results see France top the leader board in the men's competition with Britain and Canada tied in second place and Brazil in fourth.

Meanwhile Britain's women's team are sitting in pole position after day two with Germany, Japan and Canada in second, third and fourth spots respectively.

Day three of the BT Paralympic World Cup will see Britain's men hoping to defeat Canada in the opening match of the day before the women's team take on Japan.

France will then face Brazil in the second men's match before German's women face Canada in the final game of the day.

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