Home / 2008 Paralympics Games / Wheelchair Basketball Tools: Save | Print | E-mail | Most Read | Comment
Australia and Canada go for gold
Adjust font size:

Canada and Australia will challenge each other in the Men's Wheelchair Basketball final, and the United States will take on Great Britain in the bronze medal game, on Tuesday, September 15.

As the only undefeated team in the Men's tournament, Canada enters the final as the favorite. It is the defending champion, as well as the reigning world champions. Australia won the silver medal at Athens.

Great Britain will attempt to retain its 2004 bronze medal.

Also on Tuesday, Israel and Germany will compete in the classification play-off game for fifth-sixth place; and Brazil and South Africa will compete in the classification play-off game for ninth-10th place.

Canada vs. Australia

• Undefeated Canada advanced to the final by beating the US team 69-62 in double overtime in Sunday's semifinal.

• Canadian forward Patrick Anderson, the tournament's leading scorer with an average of 20.1 points per game, said Canada is very familiar with Australia's playing tactics. "The Australians play like any Australian playing sport," Anderson said. "They are very physical, and try and turn the referee to their decision."

• Australia, who placed first in the group B preliminaries, earned its way to the final by beating Great Britain 67-54 in Sunday's semifinal.

• Canada is Australia's "main foe," according to Australian center Brad Ness. "They've beaten us many times in finals," Ness said. "We want to get one back from them."

United States vs. Great Britain

• The United States lost in double overtime to Canada in Sunday's semifinal and a 4-1 record in the group B preliminaries with bronze medal game opponent Great Britain.

• Coach Steve Wilson said Great Britain pose a serious threat in the bronze medal match. "It's going to be a very tough game," Wilson said. "They are an experienced team, just like Canada. They have been together a long time."

• Great Britain, who lost its Sunday semifinal to Australia, defeated the US team 54-50 in the group B preliminaries.

• Forward Terence Bywater said any color medal would "mean just as much as the gold does" to the British team. Added guard Jon Pollock, "There are no second chances."

1   2    


Tools: Save | Print | E-mail | Most Read

Comment
Pet Name
Anonymous
China Archives
Related >>
Most Viewed >>
- Basketball legend Mu Tiezhu dies at 59
- European Swimming Championships
- Italian soccer team training session interrupted by beauties 
- Mainland Olympic gold medalists impress HK
- Paralympic Games