Disability Sport Wales
Chwaraeon Anabledd Cymru

Great Britain secure bronze against fiery France

Great Britain came through a tough encounter with the French to finish winning the Bronze medal in the 2009 FSB Women’s European Wheelchair Basketball Championships.

After losing to tournament winners Germany in the semi final GB women went onto a confident win in to gain the Bronze Medal.
The opening exchanges of the game were tight with both teams trading baskets, but also being wasteful with the ball. Neither side found it easy to gain a significant lead, the lead changing hands numerous times with France just edging proceedings at the end of the first quarter 15-14.

It was France who came out of the blocks the quickest in the second quarter with their number 15, Angelique Pichon scoring a fabulous three point effort. The game remained incredibly close throughout the quarter, but Britain managed to capitalise on some French errors to take a slender lead into half-time, the score being 29-26.

A sluggish start to the second half and some classy long range shooting from the French swung the match back their way with them widening the gap to five points. Great Britain then managed to put the French under some heavy pressure and indiscipline began to creep in, France having to protect players on multiple fouls. Great Britain’s inspired Caroline Maclean pounced on this weakness and reeled off baskets to secure a lead of three points going into the final session.

The French came out in the last quarter extremely fired up, but with them chasing the game from this point they lost their discipline and had three influential players fouled off. This essentially secured the game, and the bronze medal for Great Britain, Caroline Maclean producing a sensational overall performance to lead them to 53-41 victory.
Great Britain’s leading scorer of the tournament Helen Freeman said after the match,

“We are really pleased to have won we always knew France would be tough, and it proved to be close to start off with I think, our press wasn’t working, however in the final quarter it started to work and we played well.”

“It feels really good to have won the bronze medal we were disappointed not to be in the Final though as we believe we are good enough and although we have automatically qualified for the World Championships next year it would have been nice to prove we deserved it.”

“Now we will look forward to continuing developing as a squad and moving forward for both the World Championships next year in Birmingham and onto London 2012.”

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