The experience of Murray, a 44-year-old from Leamington Spa, combined with talented youngsters Dan Bentley, David Smith and Zoe Robinson proved to be more than a match for the Athens champions in the sport designed for wheelchair users with cerebral palsy or related neurological conditions and is based on the popular French game of Boules or Petanque.

 

Smith said: “It means absolutely everything to us, especially for Nigel.

 

“He’s waited for ages to get the medal and now we’ve got it.

 

"GB are the best team in the world and finally we have shown we really are number one.”

 

The Portuguese team took an early one-point lead in the first end but Britain came back with two points in a closely-fought second end before dominating the third.

 

They took a massive four points to establish a 6-2 and from there they never looked back.

 

Portugal were forced to chase the game in the second half but couldn’t make up the difference.

 

Head coach and team manager Jacqueline Lynn said: “It’s awesome.

 

"Words can’t describe it.

 

"They’ve worked out of their skins and played really hard and now they have got what they deserve.”

 

For Murray, the Sydney individual gold medallist, it was an especially sweet end to the boccia tournament after the disappointment of losing in the singles final on Tuesday.

 

He said: “This far supersedes anything I did in 2000.

 

"We played top form today and we’re a match for anybody.”

 

Smith said: “Nigel is the rock.

 

"We all aim to be rocks at the top.”

 

Essex-boy Bentley added: “We’ve worked hard and we’ve finally won it.

 

"I’m over the moon.”