The second day of wheelchair basketball at the Bercy Arena in Paris brought even more excitement, as teams battled fiercely on the court.
China secured a second win to sit atop Pool A in the women’s competition, while reigning champions Netherlands got their title defense off to a winning start in Pool B. In the men’s competition, Whilst in the men’s, Spain bounced back, and Canada upset hosts France in their opening game.
Netherlands vs Japan (Women)
The Netherlands women’s team opened their Paralympic campaign with a dominant 87-34 victory over Japan. From the tip-off, the Dutch players showcased their superiority, exploiting height mismatches to their advantage. By halftime, the Netherlands had built a commanding lead, driven by Bo Kramer’s 27 points on 12/14 shooting.
The second half saw continued Dutch dominance, with excellent ball movement and a stifling defense that forced Japan into tough shots. Mariska Beijer and Bo Kramer led the scoring with 28 and 27 points respectively, while Japan’s Mayumi Tsuchida fought hard, leading her team with 14 points.
Spain vs Australia (Men)
Spain’s men’s team rebounded from their opening-day disappointment with a convincing 68-60 win over Australia. The first half was competitive, with Spain effectively using a zone defense. Alejandro Zarzuela starred in the first half, scoring 13 points on 86% shooting. In the second half, Spain pulled away as Australia struggled with poor shooting and transition defense. Despite youngsters Jaylen Brown scoring 22 points and Eithen Leard making key shots in the fourth quarter, Spain’s momentum proved unstoppable. Zarzuela finished with 25 points and 9 rebounds, narrowly missing a double-double.
Germany vs USA (Women)
The USA women’s team opened their campaign with a rerun of the bronze medal match from the 2022 World Championships against Germany. The USA defeated Germany 73-44. The Americans took control early, significantly outscoring Germany in the second quarter, which allowed them to manage the game and maintain a strong lead throughout. Courtney Ryan, Rose Hollermann, and Becca Murray were key to the victory, with Murray achieving a double-double (13 points, 12 assists). Despite Germany’s efforts, including bench rotations to find a solution, they couldn’t match the USA’s depth and quality, as every American player contributed to the win.
France vs Canada (Men)
In a buzzing Bercy Arena, Canada secured a hard-fought 83-68 victory over…