It is the first time since being named to Team Canada that the 12 members heading to Beijing will have the opportunity to play together. The four-team, round-robin competition includes Germany, Australia, Great Britain, and Canada. It runs from May 30 to June 1.
“It is a great opportunity and good first test for us to play some of the very best teams in the world,” said men’s national team head coach Mike Frogley. “It is important for us to begin working on our skills and start training on and off the court in preparation for Beijing.”
Canada’s first game will be against Australia on Friday May 30, 2008, in a rematch of the gold medal game at “Good Luck Beijing - 2008 Wheelchair Basketball International Invitational Tournament” held last January. Canada won that tournament.
This time around Canada will be strengthened by the addition of two-time Paralympic gold medalists Patrick Anderson and Jaimie Borisoff, who rejoin the team after taking some time off.
Team Canada arrived in Germany on May 27, 2008 to begin training. The trip serves as homecoming of sorts for several Canadian athletes, such as Joe Johnson, who has lived and played in Germany over the last several years.
“This tournament will help Canada prepare for its quest for a third-straight Paralympic gold medal. Canada will have to be well prepared as the competition at the Paralympic Games has intensified,” said Debbie Low, the Canadian Paralympic Committee’s 2008 Beijing Games Chef de Mission.
The Canadian men’s team won gold medals at the last two Paralympic Games, and is currently ranked No. 1 in the world.
The Beijing Paralympic Summer Games run from September 6-17, 2008 in China.
Schedule:
Friday May 30 – Canada vs. Australia at 12:45 local time;
Friday May 30 – Germany vs. Canada at 20:15 local time;
Saturday May 31 – Canada vs. Great Britain at 12:45 local time;
Saturday May 31 – 2 vs. 3 at 18:30 local time;
Saturday May 31 – 1 vs. 4 at 20:15 local time;
Sunday June 1 – third place game at 12:00 local time;
Sunday June 1 – Final at 14:00 local time;
*Note: All games will be played at the OSC-Halle in Osnabrück, Germany.
