Wheelchair basketball star takes bronze at European Championship

The British team beat Italy and Turkey and survived a defeat to the Netherlands on their way to a quarter final match with Spain which they won 55-32 to secure a place in the semi-finals against the trophy holders Germany.

Even though Germany beat the GB side 71-36, the British women went on to defeat the other semi-final losers France in a clash to claim bronze.

The Standard Life GB Women had secured a place in the semi-finals with a hard fought quarter final win against Spain in a low scoring game of 55-32.

A tentative start from GB allowed Spain to open the scoring, but neither team looked settled in the early stages. In the second quarter, the coaches changed the line-up bringing on Maddie Thompson, Helen Turner and Sarah Grady, but the baskets weren’t dropping for Great Britain. The GB defence had stepped up though and this gave a platform for Helen Freeman who kept a calm head and brought GB ahead.

An experienced line-up steered GB home and they saw the game out comfortably 55 -32, setting up a semi-final match against Paralympic Champions Germany which proved too difficult.

However the GB side, did themselves proud in the play-off for third spot by beating France 60-39 to claim bronze. Netherlands were crowned with gold and Germany won silver.

Maddie had been delighted with the team’s performances and praised the side’s newcomers.