PARALYMPIC WORLD CUP
Venue: Manchester Dates: 20-25 May Coverage: Watch live swimming plus highlights from elsewhere on BBC Two, 1500-1715 BST, Monday 25 May; Daily reports on the BBC Sport website By Elizabeth Hudson
BBC Sport in Manchester |
  Dan Highcock helped Britain to victory against Germany on Saturday |
Great Britain men's wheelchair basketball coach Murray Treseder was pleased after his side signed off with a win at the BT Paralympic World Cup. The new-look GB side avenged their pool defeat by Germany with a 69-49 success to win bronze in Manchester. "We played well and a performance like that in our earlier games would have got us into the final," Treseder said. "But this was the first time this group has played together and we have improved as the event has gone on." The Australian coach had seen his side lose narrowly in their pool games to the USA, Germany and Australia (twice) but thanks to some strong defence - despite missing a number of experienced players - they were too strong against the Germans this time around. They began strongly and held a 37-21 lead by the break and with both Joe Bestwick (18 points) and Pete Finbow (14 points) finding the target, they easily held on for a victory which pleased Treseder.  | 606: DEBATE |
"I thought we probably played better in the first game against Australia on Thursday but a lot of our key performance indicators were met and when we do that we don't lose too many games," he said. "But it was important for our better players to come out today and play at a level which we expect them to play at. "The group have done remarkably well with some of our stronger players not here. Some players we have tried out have shown enough positives to show we are on the right track but we have a long way ahead as we look forward to 2012." Top scorer Bestwick, who travels to Australia later this week to play club basketball in Brisbane for three months, was delighted to finish on a high. "It was great to get a win, even though we came into this tournament saying it was about giving players international exposure but I think we have achieved what we wanted in the tournament. | If they can stay together, they could be a force in 2012 GB women's coach Garry Peel |
"The win today showed that we are gelling together as a team. There are only five of us who played in Beijing so it has been exciting to get the new players out playing." Despite his side losing to China in their bronze play-off, GB women's coach Garry Peel was also happy with the way his side, which featured five teenagers, played, despite losing all five of their games. "It would have been great to finish with a win but the goal was to give the youngsters a chance to play and they don't have any fear, which is fantastic," he said. "There is a new buzz and excitement in the team and we will continue to develop together and if they can stay together, they could be a force in 2012. "The senior players have to realise that the youngsters are challenging them for their spots on the team so they have to keep performing." | It would be amazing to get to any Paralympics but playing in a London Games would be out of this world |
One of those who made their debut in Manchester, 14-year-old Maddie Thompson, from Hope in Derbyshire, is hoping the tournament will help her reach her Paralympic dream. "I've really enjoyed the experience of competing and it has been a great achievement for me to get here," she said. "I love the competition, the excitement and the enjoyment I get from the sport. "It would be amazing to get to any Paralympics but playing in a London Games would be out of this world." The presence of the youngsters is also the helping the older players including Clare Strange, a veteran of three Paralympics, who says she has been enthused by their introduction to the squad. "There is a lot of energy among the rookies and they have got the right attitude and mentality so they have slotted in really well," she said. "I don't want them to beat me in training so it is making me work harder. They are very responsive and if you tell them one thing they work hard to do it. They are improving quickly and it is good for the future." Australia won the men's title after beating the USA 69-48, while the Netherlands were comfortable winners in the women's decider - beating Mexico 66-42.
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