20/09/2004
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Paralympics - Unstoppable Canada; great victory for Australia
ATHENS - Men's tournament, Day 2 review (Pool A):
AUS 80 GBR 59
Basketball is a team game, but it's also a captain's game. Troy SACHS is the leading scorer of the 2004 Wheelchair Basketball Paralympic tournament scoring 30 points per game, and with such a player on its roster Australia is soundly considered as a top team.
This time, several hours after an easy domination over France on the opening day of the tournament, the Australians doubled their victories, as they crushed Great Britain 80-59. The British dropped their second consecutive game, having already suffered an opening day defeat to Italy (48-51).
SACHS almost had a triple double figure with 28 points, 12 rebounds and 9 assists. He bagged 32 points and grabbed 15 rebounds against France in the opening game and of course he holds the individual record scoring: 42 points in Atlanta 1996. Shaun NORRIS added 17 points plus 4 steals against Great Britain.
Jon POLLOCK led Great Britain with 20 points, including 13 in the first half, while Simon MUNN contributed 13 points and 9 boards. The British caught Australia off-guard, taking an early by 21-10, at the end of the first period. But the AsiaOceania Champions reacted, closing the second quarter with a 42-34 lead, and never looked back.
BRA 74 FRA 54
The second men's game of Day 2 in Pool A was an easy domination of Brazil over France, 74-54. The game was more or less a monologue for the South Americans that led both the first and second periods by 20-11 and 39-23 respectively, turning the second half into a routine matter. That was Brazil's first victory in two games, while the French team suffered its second consecutive defeat.
Irio NUNES led the winners with 26 points and 14 rebounds, while Erick SILVA was hot too, scoring 16 points and grabbing 16 rebounds.Team captain Marcos SILVA contributed 15 points and 5 boards.
Philippe BAYE and Jose THEREZO scored 12 and 10 points respectively for France, which suffered under the boards (51-30) and missed all ten three-points shots attempts.
ITA - CAN 54-83
For the second straight match defending champion Canada was unstoppable. This time, they had to pass the obstacle of 2003 European Champions Italy and they made it with class, winning 84-53.
Leading from the beginning of the game (27-11 in the first quarter) Canada faced no problems, sailing to a comfortable victory.
Captain Patrick ANDERSON with 24 points (a total 7/11 field goals, including 1/2 three pointers) and Dave DUREPOS with 21 points were the best players of Canada, while Travis GAERTNER helped the winners with 10 points.
The Italians now are in 1-1 and face Australia on Wednesday, in a crucial game after Tuesday's rest day. Mohamed CAVAGNINI scored 17 points for Italy and Mauro PENNINO put in 11.
Athens news service
AUS 80 GBR 59
Basketball is a team game, but it's also a captain's game. Troy SACHS is the leading scorer of the 2004 Wheelchair Basketball Paralympic tournament scoring 30 points per game, and with such a player on its roster Australia is soundly considered as a top team.
This time, several hours after an easy domination over France on the opening day of the tournament, the Australians doubled their victories, as they crushed Great Britain 80-59. The British dropped their second consecutive game, having already suffered an opening day defeat to Italy (48-51).
SACHS almost had a triple double figure with 28 points, 12 rebounds and 9 assists. He bagged 32 points and grabbed 15 rebounds against France in the opening game and of course he holds the individual record scoring: 42 points in Atlanta 1996. Shaun NORRIS added 17 points plus 4 steals against Great Britain.
Jon POLLOCK led Great Britain with 20 points, including 13 in the first half, while Simon MUNN contributed 13 points and 9 boards. The British caught Australia off-guard, taking an early by 21-10, at the end of the first period. But the AsiaOceania Champions reacted, closing the second quarter with a 42-34 lead, and never looked back.
BRA 74 FRA 54
The second men's game of Day 2 in Pool A was an easy domination of Brazil over France, 74-54. The game was more or less a monologue for the South Americans that led both the first and second periods by 20-11 and 39-23 respectively, turning the second half into a routine matter. That was Brazil's first victory in two games, while the French team suffered its second consecutive defeat.
Irio NUNES led the winners with 26 points and 14 rebounds, while Erick SILVA was hot too, scoring 16 points and grabbing 16 rebounds.Team captain Marcos SILVA contributed 15 points and 5 boards.
Philippe BAYE and Jose THEREZO scored 12 and 10 points respectively for France, which suffered under the boards (51-30) and missed all ten three-points shots attempts.
ITA - CAN 54-83
For the second straight match defending champion Canada was unstoppable. This time, they had to pass the obstacle of 2003 European Champions Italy and they made it with class, winning 84-53.
Leading from the beginning of the game (27-11 in the first quarter) Canada faced no problems, sailing to a comfortable victory.
Captain Patrick ANDERSON with 24 points (a total 7/11 field goals, including 1/2 three pointers) and Dave DUREPOS with 21 points were the best players of Canada, while Travis GAERTNER helped the winners with 10 points.
The Italians now are in 1-1 and face Australia on Wednesday, in a crucial game after Tuesday's rest day. Mohamed CAVAGNINI scored 17 points for Italy and Mauro PENNINO put in 11.
Athens news service
