After a tied first quarter, Canada exploded in the second to outscore their opponents 15-7. Canada sealed the first half with an 8-point lead. However, the Australians came right back to take control of the game in the third quarter. Led by Justin Eveson and Shaun Norris, they scored 21 points while Canada could only net 9 points.

Trailing 37-41 at the end of the third quarter, the Canadians, led by Patrick Anderson (Edmonton, AB) and Richard Peters (Vancouver, BC) , came back to close the gap at 52-50 with three minutes left. The tough Australians regrouped and blocked the Canadian attack, winning 62-55.

Canadian star Patrick Anderson, who plays professional wheelchair basketball in Germany with teammate Joey Johnson (Lorette, MB), concluded the game with an impressive 20 points, having made 8 of his 10 field goal attempts and capturing team-leading 8 rebounds. He demonstrated exceptional control of the ball and speed as he dominated the field of play in his first match.

Ranked #1 by the International Wheelchair Basketball Federation entering the World Cup, Canada’s Men’s team is an international powerhouse that has triumphed in back-to-back Paralympic Games (2000, 2004). Canada defeated Australia in the Gold Medal match at the 2004 Paralympic Games in Athens to capture its second consecutive gold.

Over 350 athletes from 41 countries are present to participate in four events: wheelchair basketball, swimming, athletics and cycling. Wheelchair basketball runs from May 1st to 4th. Cycling, Swimming and Athletics will be held from May 5th, May 6th, May 7th respectively.

The Visa Paralympic World Cup is the biggest international, annual multi-sport competition after the Paralympic Games and has been staged in Manchester, Great Britain for the past three years. Sanctioned by the International Paralympic Committee, the event plays a critical role in providing international competition between Paralympic Games.

The Canadian Paralympic Committee is a not-for-profit, charitable, private organization recognized by the International Paralympic Committee (IPC). The CPC aims to develop and grow the Paralympic Movement in Canada, with a commitment to delivering programs that strengthen the Paralympic Movement in Canada and empower persons with physical disabilities through sport at all levels.