GB ended their World Championship on a high this morning with a strong win over New Zealand in a close match that ended 49-52.
It’s been an intense tournament in Denmark that has seen GB play eight matches in seven days but, despite an impressive start with three consecutive wins to kick off their Championship, a podium finish evaded the reigning Paralympic champions.
GB’s seventh-place finish is testament to the quality of the field in the World Championship, with all eight teams through to the quarter finals proving they earned their places. So many matches throughout the tournament have been incredibly tight with every team determined to give it their all, treating the enthusiastic spectators to some really exciting action on the court.
This weekend Australia took on host nation Denmark and the USA faced Japan in the semi finals, with the USA and Australia qualifying for the final this afternoon. With everything to play for, the score line remained tight with end to end play throughout the first and second quarters and both teams on 31 tries a piece at half time. A determined Australia with the very impressive Ryley Batt continuing to dominate the game, were able to build a two-point lead as they headed into the final break with first possession. With a final score of 57-55 there was no doubt in the end that Australia had secured the win and, with it, the World Championship title.
This is Australia’s second gold at the Worlds having won the event in 2014, and they have an impressive medal haul from the Championships with two silvers and a bronze also in their collection.
The final top eight of the Championship:
1 – Australia
2 – USA
3 – Japan
4 – Denmark
5 – Canada
6 – France
7 – GB
8 – New Zealand
Our congratulations go to the world champions Australia and silver medallists USA, and all of the teams who took part in the Championship, especially the GB squad who kept on pushing to the very end and were worthy winners of their final match today. We also congratulate Denmark on hosting such an excellent event and thank everyone involved in putting on a championship of this scale, including the many brilliant volunteers.
GB must now take their learnings from this tournament and set their sights on the next major event – the World Wheelchair Rugby European Championship – for which GB will be the hosts as it is being held at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff in May next year. The eight-team event will take place over five days and will act as a qualifier for Paris 2024, with the top two teams automatically qualifying for the Paralympic Games.
