GB men’s wheelchair basketball team take European title in Israel
Last updated 9/26/2011 9:22:17 AM
GB men’s wheelchair basketball team take European title in Israel
Forty three year old Simon Munn led Great Britain's men's wheelchair to their first European title for 16 years to send out a warning for the 2012 Olympic Games.
They won the title by beating Germany 76-65 in Israel after finishing up as silver medallists in both 2005 and 2007.
Despite slipping off the top of the podium they have always been there and there abouts, with bronze medals at the last two Paralympic Games.
After leading 49-41 at the break they managed to retain the gap largely thanks to the veteran Simon Munn and Terry Bywater, who scored thirty points each.
Britain's women had earlier won bronze with a comfortable 60-47 victory over France.
It was a return to form after a disappointing semi-final defeat against the Netherlands, with Helen Freeman top-scoring on 28 points.
GB women's head coach, Garry Peel, said: "It was a good performance; we really should have beaten them a lot easier than we did.
"We went ahead in the first quarter then we switched off and made real hard work of it and had to use the full court press all the way through the game to keep the French from scoring.
"But I'm pleased we came back and won the bronze, but disappointed really as I believe we should have been in the final."
GB coach, Murray Treseder was full of praise for his side afterwards, saying: "I thought it was a magnificent team performance. We stuck to our game plan and our disciplines and it showed.
"Resting Simon in other games of the tournament certainly showed as I thought he had a staggering game for a 43-year-old.
"All the guys contributed very well and I'm very, very proud of each one of them and delighted to take home the top prize."