The opening day of wheelchair basketball at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games was nothing short of thrilling. Throughout the day, around 36,500 passionate fans gathered at the Bercy Arena to watch the world’s best athletes in action. The competition was fierce, with each match delivering intense moments and remarkable performances.

Great Britain vs. Germany (Men)

Great Britain men’s team started their campaign with a convincing win over Germanyending with a score of 76-55. The British team set the tone early, outscoring Germany 18-8 in the first quarter. Ben Fox was a standout with his smart play and quick hands, leading a defensive effort that consistently stifled the German attack.

Despite a revival from Germany in the second half, where they began to find their rhythm and pose a real threat, Great Britain extended their lead in the final quarter and decided the match on a strong note. Gregg Warburton led the scoring for GBR with 24 points, while Lee Manning contributed a double-double with 15 points and 10 rebounds. Philip Pratts Distribution was also crucial, with an impressive 18 assists. For Germany, Matthias Guntner And Nico Dreimüller were the top scorers with 19 and 10 points respectively.

Spain vs Great Britain (Women)

The British The women’s team mirrored the success of their male counterparts with a dominant 69-34 win over SpainBritain’s shooting accuracy was a major factor, especially in the first half, when they doubled Spain’s output in both quarters.

Jade Atkinwho made her Paralympic debut, was sensational with 19 points and a shooting percentage of 73%. Robyn Love matched her efficiency with 16 points and 19 rebounds, good for a double-double. Spain struggling to keep up, with Beatriz Zudaire lead their scoring by 12 points. The British women’s team showed their depth and skill, setting the bar high for the tournament.

USA vs Spain (Men)

The match-up between the US And Spain was a repeat of the gold medal match at the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games and what a hard-fought battle it was, with the US taking a 66-56 victory. Both teams started aggressively and kept the score close throughout the first half. However, the US started to take the lead in the third quarter, thanks to their speed and excellent ball movement.

Steve Seriously played a key role in the victory, recording a triple-double of 12 points, 12 assists and 11 rebounds. Jake Williams led the scoring for the US with 22 points, while Spain Ignacio Ortega, who retired late in the game, was their top scorer with 17 points. The US’s ability to capitalize on fast breaks and remain calm under pressure was key to their victory.

Canada vs China (Women)

China emerged victorious in a thrilling match against Canada, 70-65. In the first half, China took advantage of Canada’s turnovers and held on to a small lead. Canada fought back in the third quarter, with several lead changes, making for a close game.

However, China’s aggressive defense in the fourth quarter secured the victory despite committing 14 fouls. Xuemei Zhang was the standout and scored 30 points. Canada’s Kady Dandeneau was also impressive, scoring 28 points, but it was not enough to overcome China’s relentless defensive pressure.

Australia vs Netherlands (Men)

In the last match of the day, the Netherlands defeated Australia 66-55 in a game where the momentum changed several times. Australia started strong with effective 3-point shooting, but the The Netherlands kept the match exciting and showed resilience and tactical precision.

The second half belonged to the Netherlands, who strengthened their defence and outscored Australia in the last two quarters. Mendel Op den Orth led the Dutch team with 26 points and 12 rebounds, while Account Latham was the best performer for Australia with 16 points and 13 rebounds. The Netherlands’ ability to adjust and put pressure on the Australians was crucial to their victory.

Day 1 of wheelchair basketball at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games delivered a wave of excitement that set the Bercy Arena alight. From stunning upsets to eye-catching performances, the opening matches set the bar high for the competition to come. Fans are in for a treat as the action heats up on Day 2, with some thrilling matches on the horizon.

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