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Mark Fosbrook blog: 2014 Incheon World Wheelchair Basketball Championship

The 2014 Incheon World Wheelchair Basketball Championships were held from 5-14 July in South Korea.

GB Men’s Wheelchair Basketball team took on the best in the world. Among the British team members was Mark Fosbrook, EFDS's Engagement Officer for the Midlands and South West.

In this, the final in a series of blogs, Mark talks about the highs and lows of the knockout stage.

Blog 4: Huge pride in playing for GB

Following on from the group stage we cross to the knockout stages and face Turkey in the Quarter Final. Out of all the crossovers it is probably the toughest one to have. However we are playing well and know we are good enough to win.

GB v Turkey (Quarter Final)

We have the first game of the day. Preparation starts well with everyone confident, yet very aware that we were in exactly the same position at the last World Championships and finished fifth. Due to some reason they have changed the system and we can only finish in the top four if we win or come 7th/8th if we lose.

We get off to the worst possible start with Turkey coming out very strong and are shooting at 77% for the first quarter and we are down by 14. With a start like this we suddenly know we have to do something special to even have a hope.

The line ups change and by the end of the half the gap is seven. We all believe we can bring this back, but a mixed third sees the gap at 12. So we head into the final quarter with other teams watching thinking that's it GB are out.

We are stronger than that and have shown in the past what we are made of we keep fighting and bring the game level with less then a minute to go. Turkey then take the lead and we have 5.5 seconds to score. We run a fantastic play and the options available to us are numerous, the ball is released with 0.9 seconds on the clock, it hits the back board.

Time then slows as we watch it come forward and hit the front of the ring. Will it now drop or bounce out? I am willing it in with all my heart. Devastation- the ball bounces out. We have lost by two points. We are out of the World Championships. I put my head in my hands and the pain flows through my body. Deep down I know the hard work, effort and time away from my family has been worth, it but it hurts knowing the potential and team we had. 

GB v Iran (7th/8th)

So due to the new system we now play Iran for 7th/8th. This was the one game no-one wanted to play after the loss the day before. But we are professional and have huge pride in playing for GB. So we pulled ourselves together and put on a performance to secure 7th spot.

I know in the future people will just see the results and look and see we were 7th. However, I and the team know we are better than that and we leave this tournament with one of the best records out of all the teams in only losing one game by two points. Unfortunately for us that cost us six places.

I am so grateful for the amazing support I have received from home and again want to thank EFDS for letting me have the time away to chase this dream. We land back on Tuesday and I am straight back to work on Wednesday to get back supporting my regions.

Thank you...sorry I'm not bringing back a medal... this time.