Rio Paralympic Games: A new champion guaranteed – USA and Spain on to Paralympic final

Rio de Janeiro (Rio 2016 Paralympic Games) – One thing is certain; a new men's champion other than Canada or Australia will be the Paralympic gold medalists at the end of the day on Saturday.

Over the past five games, the Canadians had taken three titles (2012, 2004, 2000) and Australia two (1996, 2008). It's been 28 years since the Americans have held the honor, last winning it in 1988 in Seoul. (To be accurate, the USA won at Barcelona 1992 but had the medals taken away after a player tested positive for a pain medication then on the banned list. The Netherlands were moved up to gold.)

All told, the Americans have seven gold medals - there were two divisions in 1960 and 1964 of which they won both – one silver and four bronze in men's wheelchair basketball. Spain have none. In fact, they have already secured their highest finish ever in a Paralympic tournament, surpassing their fourth place finish in 1996 at Atlanta.

USA co-captain Steve Serio has helped lead the American men to their first final since 1992 in Barcelona. Photo by Steve Goldberg/SCS Media

The USA reached the final by defeating Turkey 74-54, an expected result given their unbeaten record and tremendous depth and pace. Spain on the other hand, overachieved against a favored British side, 69-63, to make their first final.

USA vs. Turkey

While far from being able to match the depth of the American side – 10 of 12 players saw 10 or minutes in the match – Turkey always had a wild card in the form of Ozgur Gurbulak who has been one of the world's top performing players over the past decade and more. He started the tournament averaging a triple double and only a drop in rebounding changed that coming out of preliminary play.

That's what made the American defensive effort on him remarkable. He still got a triple double – 13 points, 10 rebounds, 11 assists – but his point production is usually double that and he was forced into 5 of 17 shooting, including only 1 of 6 from three-point range. The other Turkish threat, Ferit Gumus, was held to 12 points. They also forced Turkey into 18 turnovers.

He still registered a triple double but the USA defense kept Turkey's Ozgur Gurbulak from influencing the game. Photo by Steve Goldberg/SCS Media

The Turks grabbed an early advantage but the Americans moved ahead by one after the first quarter and by 10 at the half. The margin was 18 as the fourth quarter began. It would peak at 26 and end at 20.

Gurbulak was frank in his assessment. "We are very disappointed. It was very bad. They deserved to win. They were more disciplined."

On the offensive side, the U.S. was shooting 57 percent as a team. Steve Serio was 6 of 8 on his way to 17 points. Aaron Gouge went 7 of 10 and scored 16. Jake Williams had 10. Nine of 12 players marked the scorebook.

The USA are the only undefeated team in the tournament at 6-0.

Great Britain vs. Spain

With Canada and Australia weaker than usual, it looked as though the two favorites for the final would be the United States and Great Britain, two teams that have met for the bronze medal in three of the last four games.

But Spain would spoil the addition of another chapter in that story here, establishing themselves with a strong second quarter that saw them from 2 points down to 7 ahead.

Alejandro Zarzuela (9) had a triple double against Great Britain with 19 points, 13 rebounds and 13 assists. Photo by Steve Goldberg/SCS Media

"We have played an incredible game," exhorted Spanish co-captain Asier Garcia who had 19 points in the game. "We are strong in defense, we are very, very tall and very, very strong and it helps in the defense when we jump," he added in regards to how his team impaired the British shooters.

While Spain were shooting 53 percent, GB were at 44. Ian Sagar managed to hit more than half his shots to lead his team with 18 points but the English engine, Terry Bywater was held to 8.

At the end, defense won and Spain prevailed 69-63.

Co-captain Asier Garcia has been instrumental in leading Spain to it's highest Paralympic finish ever. Photo by Steve Goldberg/SCS Media

That this win guaranteed Spain's first-ever medal in Paralympic wheelchair basketball was not lost on Garcia. "It is a dream. Many players in Spain during many years have tried to make this final and never done it. For us, it is a dream. And we want the gold medal."

His coach, Jose Manuel Artacho, agreed. "For Spain, it is awesome. This is historic. We have never won a (wheelchair basketball) medal before and this is the first time we are in the top three. It is very important for the development of wheelchair basketball in Spain."