Italy Dominates Morocco in Opener, Germany Prevails Over Colombia, and Netherlands Triumphs Against Canada, France Nailbiter on Day 1 of 2024 IWBF Men’s Repechage.
The 2024 IWBF Men’s Repechage tournament got underway in style at the Azur Arena Antibes with thrilling matchups and standout performances on Day 1. In a European Sweep Italy, Germany, the Netherlands and France emerged victorious in their respective clashes, setting the stage for an enthralling competition ahead.
In the opening match, Italy showcased their dominance against African Champions Morocco. With a deep bench and a well-rounded performance, Italy cruised to a comfortable 89-41 victory. Filippo Carossino led the scoring for Italy with 14 points, supported by Dimitri Tanghe with 12 points, whilst Zouhair Challat scored 19 points for Morocco.
The excitement continued as Colombia faced off against Germany in a closely contested battle. Despite leading at half-time, Colombia struggled to contain the German offense in the second half. Thomas Bohme (25 points) and Matthias Guntner (16 points) led the charge for Germany, securing a 70-56 victory. Jhon Hernandez shone for Colombia with 23 points, while Rodrigo Perez and Jefferson Garces contributed 13 and 10 points, respectively.
The Netherlands delivered a stellar second-half performance against Canada, led by Mendel Op Den Orth's remarkable 34-point effort. After a slow start, the Netherlands found their rhythm and seized control of the game, ultimately clinching a resounding 62-45 win. Chad Jassman and Patrick Anderson led the scoring for Canada with 8 points each.
In the final matchup of the day, France and Iran battled it out in a thrilling encounter that went down to the wire. Despite a strong comeback from Iran in the fourth quarter, the hosts France managed to hold on for a narrow 63-62 victory. Nicolas Jouanserre led the scoring for France with 28 points, with an important double-double from Christophe Carlier of 14 points and 12 rebounds. Mohamadhassan Sayari and Morteza Abedi impressed for Iran with 26 and 21 points, respectively.
As Day 1 concluded, Antibes is ready for more thrilling action in the days to come. Stay tuned for updates and highlights from the IWBF Men’s Repechage tournament as teams battle for a chance to secure their spot in the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games.
For pictures visit: https://www.flickr.com/photos/handisport/
Photo Credit: Gregory Picout / Handicap Francaise Federation.
