Maddie looking forward to a meeting with familiar foes

Maddie Thompson in action for Team GB at the World Wheelchair Basketball Championships in Canada.

Maddie has impressed throughout the group stage of the tournament in Canada, helping GB to achieve three wins from five to ensure a safe passage into the quarter finals.

They recorded victories over Brazil (56-37), Japan (62-48) and China (64-47), but came up short against tournament favourites Germany (55-33) and the hosts Canada (59-52).

Despite the two defeats, it was enough for GB to finish third in Pool B and set up the clash with USA.

Ahead of the last-eight meeting with the Americans, which takes place in the early hours of Friday morning, Maddie says that the squad are heading into the tie full of confidence.

She said: “I think the USA is a great match-up for us.

“We can both press, we’re both quick teams, and neither of us have the very tall forwards like we faced with Canada and Germany.

“We played the USA in Germany recently and had very close games against them, so we know what they’re going to bring.

“We’re all looking forward to it and spirits are going to be high.”

Should GB secure victory at the Mattamy Athletic Centre in Toronto they will ensure a fourth-placed finish at the very least, which would eclipse their previous best at the Championships.

The team finished sixth at the last event, four years ago in Birmingham.

Maddie says that the feelgood factor within the GB camp is down to a profitable training programme.

She added: “This is the best World Championship I’ve ever had.

“We’ve been so well prepared for it and that’s thanks to BWB Performance Director Paul Davies and our Head Coach Miles Thompson, who have made our programme at the University of Worcester so strong.”