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AUS Cobi Crispin Wheelchair BB SemifinalThe Australian Gliders have avoided Paralympic gold medallists Germany, but face tough opposition following the draw for the 2014 IWBF Women’s World Wheelchair Basketball Championships in Toronto overnight.

Among the five teams the Gliders will face in Pool A are London Paralympic bronze medallists, The Netherlands, fellow Europeans France, 2010 World Champions USA, Peru and Mexico.

The silver medallists at the London 2012 Paralympic Games, the Gliders qualified for June’s World Championships as the top team in the region after claiming the 2013 IWBF Asia-Oceania Zone Championships.

Australian Gliders Head Coach Tom Kyle said he is excited by the challenge ahead, believing the quality in their pool will have the team battle-hardened for the knockout stages of the tournament.

“I’m very happy with how our draw has eventuated,” Kyle said.

“The Netherlands and the USA present the greatest challenges for us, but I wouldn’t discount the likes of France, Peru and Mexico.

“When you come to a World Championship all teams are going to be competitive, but looking at the draw I think we’ve done well as Pool B appears to have slightly more depth.”

After missing out on a medal at the past two World Championship tournaments, the Gliders will be eager to secure their first medal at the event since taking bronze at the 2002 World Championships in Japan.

The Gliders have a long and successful history in the IWBF Women’s World Wheelchair Basketball Championships, competing at every tournament since its inception in 1990 – reaching the semi-final stage in each of the past five tournaments.

The 2014 IWBF Women’s World Wheelchair Basketball Championships will take place in Toronto, Canada from 20-28 June. The full fixture for the competition is expected to be announced in the coming months.

2014 IWBF Women’s World Wheelchair Basketball Championships Draw

POOL A
Netherlands

France

USA

Peru

Australia

Mexico

POOL B
Germany

Great Britain

Canada

China

Japan

Brazil

By Basketball Australia

Posted 21/02/2014