BT Paralympic World CupParalympics

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

BT Paralympic World CupParalympics

By Nicolas Atkin in Manchester,

GREAT BRITAIN head coach Lyndon Lynch insists his 7-a-side cerebral palsy football team are on the right track despite finishing runners-up to Brazil in Saturday’s BT Paralympic World Cup final.

RUNNERS UP: Great Britain were beaten by Brazil in the final of the BT Paralympic World Cup

Brazil looked to be running away with it after racing into a 4-0 lead just after the interval but goals from Ibrahima Diallo and Alistair Patrick-Heselton gave Team GB hope of a remarkable comeback.

But it wasn’t to be with Brazil holding on for their second 4-2 win over Great Britain in Manchester this week although the manager was proud of his side’s efforts as their Paralympic preparations continued.

“I was very pleased with the second-half performance,” said Lynch. “The lads were a bit despondent at half-time but they showed some great spirit which was very important.

“It was just disappointing we were playing catch-up again to a really good Brazil side.

“But we’re making progress, if we can do that when it comes to the Paralympics then hopefully we can turn that score around.

“We’ve definitely seen some improvement in the lads and in our results. At the last BT Paralympic World Cup it was a bronze medal so to come up with silver this time makes us know what the next step is.

“I’ve always pressed on the players to try and take it one step at a time. This might not be a big leap but if we can recognise this is a small step of progress then I’m sure we’ll build into a really strong group.”

After an even start Wanderson Oliveira netted twice in the space of two minutes to stun Great Britain on the counter attack and leave their hopes of gold reeling.

It got worse a minute before half time when Fernandes Vieira gave Brazil a commanding 3-0 lead, and after Yurig Ribeiro scored within a minute of the restart Great Britain looked all but consigned to second place.

But Diallo latched onto an excellent through ball to round Marcos Ferreira and slot home with a quarter-hour to go before substitute Patrick-Heselton broke free and coolly finished two minutes later to set-up a tense finish.

Brazil held their nerve though and finished as deserved winners at the City of Manchester Arena with a 100% record from their four matches.

In the morning’s bronze final the USA pulled off a shock 2-1 win against the Republic of Ireland having lost all three of their group games in the week.

An early Rene Renteria goal gave the Americans a half-time lead with Josh McKinney doubling their advantage two minutes after the restart.

Luke Evans reduced the deficit with eight minutes remaining but the USA saw it out to ensure Ireland went home empty-handed.

The BT Paralympic World Cup is taking 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 tickets and more information. 

(c) 2012

BT Paralympic World CupParalympics

By Nick Atkin in Manchester,

MICHAEL BARKER grabbed a hat-trick against Ireland as Great Britain’s 7-a-side cerebral palsy football team booked their place in Saturday’s BT Paralympic World Cup final against Brazil.

GOLD SEEKERS: Michael Barker scored a hat-trick to fire Britain into the final of the BT Paralympic World Cup

It was all to play for heading into Friday’s crunch clash with both sides fighting for second spot in the group but after a sticky start Great Britain made light work of their opponents running out 7-3 victors.

Ibrahima Diallo also helped himself to a treble as Lyndon Lynch’s men secured back-to-back victories to keep alive their chances of gold at the City of Manchester Arena. 

“That was a great game, I’m so happy we won,” said Barker. “I was really chuffed that I got a hat-trick. 

“But we want gold on Saturday and I won’t be happy with anything less, so we will have to play our best game. I love the competition here and it’s a great build up ahead of London.”

Great Britain were slow out of the blocks but Diallo broke the deadlock with a brilliant individual effort after 22 minutes.

The tie was finely poised going into the interval but Barker doubled his side’s lead two minutes after the restart with a penalty to seemingly set Great Britain on their way.

However Blair Glynn headed past his own keeper from a Gary Messett corner in the 37th minute to hand Ireland a lifeline, although it didn’t last too long with Barker restoring his side’s two-goal lead less than 60 seconds later.

Ireland’s hopes faded further when captain Matt Dimbylow added a fourth three minutes later but Luke Evans struck with a quarter-hour remaining to keep Great Britain sweating.

Barker was having none of it though and completed his hat-trick soon after, with Diallo putting the result beyond doubt by getting his second and third in the dying minutes to stake his own claim for the match ball before Messett grabbed a late consolation.

In the other match Brazil comfortably saw off the USA 10-0 with a hat-trick from the prolifilic Jose Guimaraes and another treble from Fabio Bordignon.

The BT Paralympic World Cup is taking 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 tickets and more information.

© 2012

BT Paralympic World CupParalympics

By Paul Eddison in Manchester,

GREAT Britain produced a dramatic comeback to seal their place in the final of the men’s wheelchair basketball against the USA at the BT Paralympic World Cup in Manchester.

COMEBACK KINGS: Simon Munn was decisive for Great Britain as they fought back to win at the BT Paralympic World Cup

The Americans’ narrow victory over Germany earlier in the day left Britain knowing that a win over Japan would be enough to take them into tomorrow’s final.

But trailing 30-21 at half-time it looked like it was all going wrong for the Brits who have endured a mixed tournament so far.

Head coach Murray Treseder clearly found the right words to inspire his team as Simon Munn finished with 20 points in a 59-50 success.

Ian Sagar also contributed 19 points for the Brits who will be seeking revenge for yesterday’s 70-40 loss to the States.

Abdi Jama, who chipped in with four rebounds and an assist, said after: “We were a bit worried because we were missing a lot of shots and our shooting percentage was a lot lower than we were expecting.

“In the changing room we knew we could get back and fight. We’re nicknamed ‘The Bulldogs’ and bulldogs never give up so we dug deep and it showed in the end.”

Earlier in the day the British ladies picked up a third defeat in as many days as they slipped to a 52-42 defeat to Germany.

It was an improved performance from Britain after losses to the USA and Australia and Helen Freeman, who scored six points insisted there were positives to take from the game.

She said: “It was a good performance, we made a few defensive lapses that cost us but we’ve improved through the tournament.”

The BT Paralympic World Cup is taking 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 tickets and more information.

© 2012