GB MEN DEFEAT PARALYMPIC SILVER MEDALISTS SPAIN TO QUALIFY FOR SEMI FINALS OF
Great Britain Men have progressed to the semi-finals of the World Wheelchair Basketball Championship after defeating Rio Paralympic silver medallists, Spain, 67-62.
GB Men will face Iran in the last four after they emerged from a tight game with a 76-69 victory over Turkey. The semi-final will take place at 17:00 (BST) on Friday August 24, with a place in the final at stake.
GB number 9 Harry Brown, who became a father just a week before the tournament, commented on the victory:
“We didn’t want to think about past results looking back at Rio. We had a positive mood going in and we were confident that we were strong, fit and skilled enough to secure a win against them.
“It was our team belief, even in those really tight moments of the game, that we could take the win.
“The game-changing moment was Terry’s [Bywater] three pointer just after they gained the lead.
“We’re making history here on court – this will be the first time since 2002 that GB men’s squad has reached semi-finals. It’s proud moment for me as a player, a team member and for my family.
“We’re ready for the semi-final game.”
George Bates top scored for Great Britain with 18 points, while captain Phil Pratt also made his mark on the game with ten rebounds and ten assists.
The men’s Bronze and Gold medal games will take place on Sunday 26 August.
Follow the World Championships action at www.britishwheelchairbasketball.co.uk or via social media @BritWheelBBall #TogetherWeAreGB
Great Britain Squad:
Gaz Choudhry (Albacete Amiab) – Class 4.0 / Age 33
Simon Brown (Amiccaci) – Class 2.0 / Age 32
James Macsorley (Sheffield Steelers) – Class 2.0 / Age 23
Terry Bywater (Ilunion) – Class 4.5 / Age 35
George Bates (Sheffield Steelers) – Class 4.5 / Age 24
Harry Brown (Sheffield Steelers) – Class 2.5 / Age 24
Abdi Jama (Sheffield Steelers) – Class 1.0 / Age 35
Phil Pratt (Sheffield Steelers) – Class 3.0 / Age 24
Gregg Warburton (The Owls) – Class 2.0 / Age 21
Martin Edwards (The Owls) – Class 4.0 / Age 29
Lee Manning (Albacete Amiab) – Class 4.5 / Age 28
Jim Palmer (Rhine River Rhinos) – Class 1.0 / Age 21
Great Britain Fixtures (BST) & Results:
Fri 17 Aug – South Korea 19:45 (GB win 77-58)
Sun 19 Aug – USA 20:15 (GB lose 59-66)
Mon 20 Aug – Poland 17:30 (GB win 78-46)
Tue 21 Aug – Men’s Cross Over Game – Germany 10:45 (GB win 62-54)
Wed 22 Aug – Men’s Quarter-Final – Spain, 10:45 (GB win 67-62)
Fri 24 Aug – Men’s Semi-Final – Iran, 17:00
Sun 26 Aug – Men’s Bronze Medal Match – 13:15
Sun 26 Aug – Men’s Final – 15:30
