Great Britain Women’s Wheelchair Basketball side secure opening win of European Championship
27 August 2009by Stephanie Gagne
The listing was posted by WheelPower - British Wheelchair Sport - News
In the opening game of the FSB Women’s European Wheelchair Basketball Champions, Great Britain came out on top beating a fighting Turkish side to win 51-28.
However, it was Turkey who came out of the blocks the fastest with an early score from Aliye Kocasoy. Great Britain overcame a sluggish start and successfully pressed from then on, they were superior in defence forcing Turkey to shoot from the outside but they were unable to capitalise in offence which kept the score close 15 – 7 at end of 1st quarter.
Great Britain continued to cause Turkey problems and forced a number of turnovers, the nerves of the first quarter were overcome, dominating the second quarter outscoring Turkey 19 – 4 in this quarter. Some superb chair skills from Helen Freeman led to the classiest basket of the quarter spinning underneath the basket and scoring from close range.
Great Britain continued were they left off at the beginning of the third quarter leading 34-11 which gave Head Coach, Garry Peel, a chance to bring on some of his bench. Julia Smith playing in her first competitive tournament for the team also got on the score sheet.
The Turkish side did not lie down with out a fight and a late come back in the fourth quarter which proved in vain reduced the deficit to 51 -28.
Leading scorers for Great Britain:
Helen Freeman - 16 points
Louise Sugden - 10 points
Helen Turner - 10 points
For further information about the GBWBA Women’s Squad or the FSB Women’s Wheelchair Basketball European Championships visit www.gbwba.org.uk
Photo courtesy of SA Images.