Hall looking to turn silver into gold in London

By Nick Atkin, Sportsbeat

JON Hall insists lightning won't strike twice at London 2012 after the wheelchair basketball star left last week's BT Paralympic World Cup with a silver medal.

GOING FOR GOLD: Team GB had to settle for silver in Manchester but Jon Hall insists things will improve for London

With London 2012 fast approaching the Paralympic World Cup afforded Hall and co the perfect chance to test their skills against heavyweights Japan, Germany and the USA in front of a home crowd in Manchester.

And things were looking good as Great Britain suffered just one loss, a 70-40 reverse to USA, to reach the final.

However, lightning struck twice in the showpiece as the USA again got the better of their hosts to win the gold, Great Britain however putting up more of a fight, going down 47-38.

But despite losing twice to our cousins from across the pond, 30-year-old Hall believes Great Britain has what it takes to down the Americans and is eager to prove it when it really matters.

"We've got a team that can beat the USA, we just need to execute our game plan and stick to what we do best," he said.

"Of course want to win everything but the main thing is London, that's where we need to be peaking. But getting any win gives us confidence.

"There's always stuff to work on, there's definitely been some hit and miss things but overall we're going in the right direction.

"Our combinations have been really gelling together, we've been taking the right shots which is a positive, but they just haven't always been going in.

"The shots just haven't been falling, the guys haven't been shooting well. That happens sometimes, I definitely guarantee it won't be like that in London."

With the Paralympic World Cup taking place in front of a home crowd in Manchester, Hall and co were getting a sneak peak of the atmosphere they can expect to find at London 2012.

And after getting to experience a Games in Beijing, Hall admits repeating the trick at home would top anything that has gone before.

"The BT Paralympic World Cup is always a great tournament, it's brilliant preparation and it's always one to look forward to," he added.

"If I'm selected then London will be the major tournament in my life.

"I went to Beijing but with it being a home crowd at a home Paralympics, you're never going to get better than that."

The BT Paralympic World Cup took place in Manchester from 22-26 May with elite international athletes competing in Athletics, Football 7-aside and Wheelchair Basketball. Go to www.btparalympicworldcup.com for more information

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