TUR – Italy beat Turkey to win European gold in Wheelchair Basketball

ADANA (IWBF) – Italy completed a stunning run to the gold medal on Thursday by beating hosts Turkey in the final of the European Championship for Wheelchair Basketball.

The Italians prevailed 64-52 in Adana with Matteo Cavagnini scoring 17 points and both Galliano Marchionni and Vincenzo Di Bennardo pouring in 14 apiece.

Italy finished fourth in Pool B but upset Pool A winners France 62-60 in their Quarter-Final showdown before knocking off Poland in their last-four clash.

In the title game, Italy only had a 27-25 advantage at half-time but they took control in the third quarter by outscoring Turkey 22-14.

Ozgur Gurbulak had 18 points to pace Turkey.

Great Britain, the hosts of next year's World Championships in Birmingham, England, defeated the Poles 73-65 to capture the bronze medal.

Jon Pollock finished with a game-high 34 points for the Brits, while Poland’s Piotr Luszynski had 12 points, 12 rebounds and 12 assists.

By reaching the Semi-Finals, Italy, Turkey and Poland qualified for the World Championships, with Britain having already secured a spot when they were awarded the event.

France also clinched a place in next year's big event by edging Germany in the battle for fifth place, 71-69.

Sylvain Deregnaucourt led the French with 26 points.

Spain defeated Israel 73-65 in the seventh/eighth place game.

FIBA