Mark Fosbrook blog: 2014 Incheon World Wheelchair Basketball Championship
The 2014 Incheon World Wheelchair Basketball Championships are being held from 5-14 July in South Korea.
GB Men’s Wheelchair Basketball team are taking on the best in the world. Among the British team members is Mark Fosbrook, EFDS's Engagement Officer for the Midlands and South West.
In this, the third in a series of blogs, Mark talks us through the group stage games on his feelings about representing his country.
Blog 3: I realised that my dream had come true
The first two group stages are now complete and there have been some good results for GB and some unexpected upsets for others.
GB v Argentina
As we all know Argentina have a strong football team. Would it be that their wheelchair basketball team would be the same? It was an early morning as the game started at 9am. Not a massive problem for me as I am used to getting up at 5am to train before going to work.
We all lined up for the National Anthem and I looked up to the flag and realised that my dream had come true. I had made it. Thoughts ran through my mind of the training I had put in, my family and the support I have received from EFDS to have the time off, Lion Quays for use of their Gym and Oswestry Leisure Centre for use of their Sports Hall. As the anthem finished I kissed my tattoo of Lily (my stillborn daughter) and applauded.
We got off to a shaky start and a hopeful Argentinian team fought all the way with the score finishing at 61-50. I played my first minutes and even worked a great pick and roll with teammate Dan Highcock and was very close to getting myself on the scoresheet. However, I am not ashamed to say I got giddy as thoughts of being at the World Championships ran through my mind and missed a shot I would make most of the time.
GB v South Korea
Next up was the opportunity to take on the hosts South Korea. We knew they would be up for a battle as they were performing in front of their home crowd. We were determined to make a statement to show our intention. We were much stronger and started to play up to the standard we know we are capable of and came away with a convincing win 77-47
I am also pleased to say that I made my first Major International basket. I had a fast break opportunity and as I sprinted down court, I was determined that it was going to make the basket even though I could feel the South Korean player right behind me.
GB v Mexico
By winning the first two games, we knew we were going to end the group top but we wanted to finish without a loss. So yet again we went out hard and although the Mexicans started with some fire we soon extinguished it and won 74-54.
Everyone is playing well and the team is feeling great. We have had some fantastic moments but also some moments where we still need to tighten things up, however this is coming together.
After this game we had our usual debrief meeting and our Head Coach,Haj Bhania. He broke the news to the team about classification. I am currently a 1 point player and always have been however when we arrived I was told they thought I was borderline to a 1.5 and they wanted to see me play. I had put this out of my mind and was almost convinced that I would go up, not because I should but because classification has always been challenging for me. However I am now happy to say that I will remain a 1 pointer.
This ended the first group stage in which we finished top. We then moved on to the second group stage along with the second and third placed in our first group but only played first, second and third from Pool B.
GB v Iran
Iran are an emotional and physical team and we knew that we could make the game hard for ourselves if we didn't take it away from them early on. They came out on top form and weren't going to let us have an easy game. In what was definitely our toughest test so far we managed to pull away just enough to finish the game with a five point lead, 64-59.
GB v Japan
Next up was Japan. Over the last two months we have played them nine times so we were confident we knew how to play them, but also were aware they will also have learned from the encounters with us. It was a really hot and humid day and the arena was just as bad on the inside as out. I struggled a bit with grip as my hands were sweating so much, but I pushed through and helped the team to secure another victory 65-47. The team are getting stronger and stronger, everyone is working for each other and feeling good.
GB v Spain
At the start of day six, there were three teams currently undefeated. They were Australia, ourselves and our opponents for the day, Spain. We knew that this was going to make the game extremely tough. We also have several players that play in Spain so know most of the players very well. We started well but they kept the pressure on. We stepped up another gear and gradually pulled away. The game was tense and the battle was fierce as this would see who finished top of the group. It wasn't without its casualties though. I somehow managed to hurt the end of my finger which they think is slightly sprained. However it will be fine to continue as it is on part of my hand I don't use. I was able to carry on and we came out on top with a 60-44.
This not only meant we finished top of the second group, but with Australia losing to the USA we are now the only unbeaten team remaining at the Tournament. This however doesn't mean anything anymore as we now reach the knockout stages.
The team are getting stronger and stronger all the time and everyone is enjoying playing with the systems that our coach has put in. If we can now keep playing as we have been and continue to develop, we have a really good chance of winning. It is important that we take it one game at a time as each win now is important and a battle.
We have a rest day today, with some training, video and rehab to ensure we are ready to take on Turkey in the quarter final on Saturday 12 July at 3.15am (BST).
(Photos SA images)
