The women's team had hoped to make it a clean sweep in the group stages following superb wins over Canada and Germany on the first two days of the competition but they were left frustrated by a stubborn Japan as they suffered a 43-42 loss in the dying minutes of the game.

Helen Freeman continued her superb form in the tournament for the hosts as she claimed 16 points and 10 rebounds but she was matched by Japan's Mari Amimoto who poured in an impressive 22 points and 10 rebounds to see her side home in the frantic final minutes of the match.

However, Britain's victories on day one and two of the event mean that they have progress to the final against rivals Germany although head coach Garry Peel feels his team will have to dramatically up their game to secure their first ever BT Paralympic World Cup title against the Germans.

"After the first two days this was very disappointing," said Peel.

"We should've beaten them by about ten or 12 points but we didn't finish it in the last quarter.

"We couldn't buy a basket.

"Tomorrow we just have to focus on finishing.

"Our floor game is good, now we need to focus on closing it out."

Meanwhile, Britain's men left it too late to overcome Canada as the defending champions were beaten 56-52 in a thrilling game which means that they will have to contest the bronze medal with Brazil tomorrow while the winners will take on France in the final.



Britain trailed for the entire game and despite mounting a superb late rally that almost saw the hosts overhaul their rivals huge early lead; it turned out to be too little too late.

Britain's outstanding performer Terry Bywater said: "We showed our bulldog spirit in the final quarter.

"Everyone on the floor wanted to win that game.

"When you go into the last quarter 15 points behind it's really going to be a struggle.

"Brazil is a must win game.

"We came here hoping to win the tournament as it's massive for us.

"I wouldn't say it's a failure but if we don't go home with a medal it will be a possible failure."

France book their place in the men's final despite being beaten 75-55 to Brazil.

Having already secured their spot in the final ahead of the game against Brazil with victories over Britain and Canada on day one and two of the event, France opted to rest a number of key people ahead of the final tomorrow but ended up suffering a 20-point defeat for their troubles as they gave Brazil momentum heading into their bronze medal match with Britain.

In the final game of the day, Germany's women claimed a comprehensive 52-37 over Canada as they relegated their opponents to a bronze medal showdown with Japan and set up a gold medal match with Britain for themselves where they will be looking to avenge their shock 58-53 defeat to the hosts which came yesterday.

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