Mixed competition steals the show

The heat yet again turned up, but there was an air of familiarity between them as the players walked their way up to the courts from the nearby bus drop-off.

It looked almost like a summer camp.

Pretty soon though the bleachers filled and, as was the case yesterday, a definite World Championship feel moved in.

Netherlands’ and Germany’s women provided spectators with a classic on court four, as the Germans snatched the victory in the dying seconds.

Egypt provided the shock of the day, overcoming the favoured Romania by a score of 17-15

Three countries looked dominant on Day 2, with both the Men’s and the Women’s teams from France, Russia and USA sitting safely at the top of their respective groups with 100% records.

Slovenia’s men and Australia’s women complete the list of the unbeaten.

But the attraction lay elsewhere on Friday.

History was made midway through the weekend as sixteen mixed teams took to the courts.
With two players of each gender on each team and, accordingly at least one player of each gender on court at all times, the Eight-Final games provided the large and curious crowd with a spectacle of speed, clever play as well as great athleticism.

Mexico, whose women had yet to register a win, overcame Spain with a hard-fought 20-16 victory.

The English broke Greek hearts with a shot by Myles Hesson from beyond the arc to carry them beyond the magical 21-point margin.

“It the home nation and a really great crowd,” said Myles afterwards.

“It’s probably what lifted me to make that last shot.

Asked whether he thought it had a future, he said: “I don’t know, maybe, why not.”

“It was a good game for me, I enjoyed it and I think the crowd did.”

France and Russia, powerhouses in both the men’s and women’s competition, fought hard, with the French prevailing with a killer buzzer-beater from long range.

Frence’s Perrine Le Leuch was thrilled.

“It’s great playing mixed,” she said.

“There are already lots of girls playing with the boys. It’s different, you improve differently and I think there is great potential in both mixed and 3x3.”

The English later fell to the French in the quarters. A French team that remains unbeaten in all three categories.

Le Leuch et les autres Bleus will play Ukraine in Sunday’s first Semi-Final, while Czech Republic come up against Argentina.

Once the last game concluded, the crowds dissipated and summer camp resumes. Back to the hotel that hosts all players, referees and officials.

For the record internet crashed at the hotel, with the hotel lobby overflowing with players Skyping home, checking emails or – we hope – seeing what went up on greece2012.fiba.com.

This was the case of Jamell Anderson, who discovered to his shock horror that a sumptuous alley-oop had been attributed to teammate Omatayo Ogedengbe. An email ensued (mocked by the rest of his team), and an apology from fiba.com as well.

“Did you at least provide the pass?”

“No” said Omatayo.

“I had been subbed; I wasn’t even on court.”