The wheelchair basketball tournament promises to be a thrilling spectacle at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games, with world-class players guaranteed to keep fans on the edge of their seats.

The men’s and women’s competitions will take place between August 29 and September 8 at the Bercy Arena in the French capital. Eight teams are divided into two groups of four.

The group matches will run until 2 September. The quarter-finals will be played a day later and will end on 8 September with the spectacular battle for the gold medal.

Let’s take a closer look at the men’s groups and the participating teams.

Group A: Canada, Great Britain, Germany, France

A strong group with three of the four additional qualifiers from the IWBF Men’s Repechage held in April: Canada, France And GermanyGreat Britain secured a place by winning the IWBF European Championships last August.

Canada head to Paris with a balanced squad desperate to rekindle the successes of 2012, when they won their sixth Paralympic gold in London. Since then, however, they have failed to make it to the podium. They defeated Italy at the IWBF Men’s Repechage in April this year to show the world that they still belong on the main stage. Will the experience, combined with youth, pay off in Paris?

Much is expected of the host country Francewho had to go through the repechage in Antibes to qualify, and beat Morocco to seal their ticket. They have a wealth of scoring options, along with solid playmakers. With the home crowd behind them, can they win their first medal since claiming bronze in Barcelona in 1992? They will be seen as outsiders this year.

Germany were frustrated with their fourth place finish at the IWBF European Championships last summer, but made up for it by qualifying for the Paralympics by beating Iran at the IWBF Men’s Repechage. The tournament heralded a new era with Michael Engel at the helm. Now that he has taken the first step in getting his country to the Paralympics, we will see how far he can take them in Paris.

Great Britain have enjoyed continental success, winning eight gold medals and a total of 18, more than any other nation. However, GB’s success on the Paralympic stage reads differently as they seek their first ever gold medal. Their last taste of glory came at the IWBF European Championships when they defeated Spain in the final in Rotterdam. With six Paralympic medals for this illustrious wheelchair basketball nation, could the seventh be a super gold?

Notable players

Canada will be looking for what is perhaps wheelchair basketball’s most recognizable talisman Patrick Andersen to lead them in attack. Anderson announced himself on the world stage at Sydney 2000, leading the Canadians to gold and 24 years later he is still capable of producing magic on the pitch. He can score from anywhere on the pitch and is also a widely regarded playmaker.

Nico Dreimuller in action against Canada at the 2022 World Cup.

Germany has a large number of players who can score points and a solid backcourt that can create, shoot and defend stoically. Nico Dreimüller And Thomas Boehme will certainly be the keys to success for the Germans in Paris. They are versatile players with experience in big games and a lot of knowledge under their belt. These two will fuel the attack and get points freely.

Francelike Germany, has some outliers and talents in each category. However, the free-scoring Nicolas Jouanserre will have that electrifying presence that will ignite the home crowd. Jouanserre can dazzle from long range, hit teams where it hurts and is a solid free throw shooter. He is the total offensive package.

Gregg Warburton in action at the 2022 World Championships

Great Britain has the perfect balance of experience and youth as it looks to improve on the four bronze medals it has won at the last five Paralympic Games. Gregg Warburton And Filip Pratt will be key components to their success. Warburton is usually in the top scorer stats for GB, and it’s easy to see why; he loves to move from midrange to his spot on the pitch and use the backboard for his points. When he does, it’s almost automatic. Pratt is the main playmaker. When he gets into his rhythm, he can score at an incredible rate. On his day, the Welsh wizard is unstoppable.

Group B: USA, Spain, Netherlands, Australia

It will take a lot of work to look beyond the reigning Paralympic champions, the USBut Spain, The Netherlands And Australia will be an incredibly strong opponent in an exciting group.

This pool also provides an early repeat of the gold medal battle at the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games, when the USA defeated Spain.

The United Statesnow seeking a third straight gold medal, heads to Paris full of confidence. They claimed their spot by winning the Santiago 2023 Para-Pan American Games last November.

They are undoubtedly the most successful Paralympic nation in wheelchair basketball, with a total of 14 medals, nine of which are gold.

Spain to progress through the IWBF European Championships by finishing second and has the talent and players capable of building on their 2016 silver medal. Success will depend on their ability to unite as a team and deliver consistent performances throughout the competition.

The Netherlands satisfied with third place at the IWBF European Championships in front of their home crowd in Rotterdam. They eventually qualified for the IWBF Men’s Repechage in April by beating Columbia in the crossover.

Australiaa team with four Paralympic medals to its name, are determined to return to the podium for the first time since taking silver at the London 2012 Games. After a disappointing performance at the 2022 World Championships, the Aussies made a strong comeback to win the IWBF Asia Oceania Championships, beating Iran in a thrilling final to secure their place in Paris.

Notable players

The US has stars in abundance, but none more than Steve Seriouslywho will lead the team in Paris and the whole country as one of the standard bearers. But besides a decent scorer in Serio, Jake WilliamsWidely regarded as one of the best marksmen in the game, Williams will be looking to add to his hat-trick of Paralympic gold medals, and with a player who can score from anywhere on the pitch, he will be determined to do so.

Ignacio Ortega to play for Spain at the 2023 European Championship

Spain’s run to the silver was with the team, who played as a collective and a never-give-up attitude. Search for youngster Ignacio Ortega to make a name for the Spanish on the Paralympic stage. He led the team in scoring and assists at the IWBF European Championships and can hurt you in many ways.

The The Netherlands‘ attacking play flows through Mendel Op den Orthwho can find the smallest cracks in the defense and score. Next to Op den Orth is Mattijs Bellersa solid presence inside who can be a handful under the basket.

Bill Latham in action at the 2022 World Championships.

Australia has been a force in the game for years, but is eager to return to the Paralympic stage in Paris. The Madrid-based Aussie Account Latham will be a player who wants to take them back to where they feel at home. Latham is one of the consistent scorers in wheelchair basketball and has been active in the circuit since 2009. He is a player who can punish in many ways and his scoring talent will be crucial for his country.

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Written by John Hobbs for IWBF / Photos IWBF/Steffie Wunderl Photography