Trust, bonding among players key to Dutch success

Trust, bonding, and confidence in the team even if something goes wrong are what make the Paralympic champions, the Netherlands, continue their winning streak in major championships.

“If you enjoy the game, it isn’t that hard to practice every time and put in all the effort. Keep having fun,” said experienced guard Cher Korver, who has been playing for the national team for the past 25 years and been to six Paralympic Games.

The Netherlands, also the World and European champions, are defending their World title at the ongoing IWBF Wheelchair Basketball World Championships – Dubai 2022 and have been on a winning run, with their recent victory coming against debutant Thailand. The Dutch players in fact toyed with the Thai wheelchair basketball team before winning by 107-16 points.

“One of our strengths is that we try to make each other better every single day. Everyone works for themselves with their club teams, and they bring all that experience to the national team.

“The team have been together for a long time, and we know each other very well,” said Jitske Visser, four-time Paralympian and Chairperson of the International Paralympic Committee Athletes’ Council.

“The team didn’t change too much over Tokyo 2020. Mindset, it’s difficult. The focus is different: be sharp and play together as a team. “It is super exciting to be part of the biggest stage of Wheelchair Basketball,” Visser added.

The team also boasts players like Bo Kramer, one of the most popular names in women’s wheelchair basketball, who admits that she eats, breathes, and sleeps basketball.

Kramer, who has been signed by the Loughborough Lightning in January 2023 and is a biomedical student, was happy to bring her experience playing in England to the national team.

“Our team has been competing together for a long time; we are used to each other; everyone commits to the game like a full team, and everyone enjoys it. And that is what makes us strong.

“I think I’m ready to play a good championship here. I had a good season, playing in England, now in the league, and now with the Netherlands. We train hard, we train a lot, and I think we have improved, and for myself too, I have improved and am ready to show the world,” she said while adding that the World Championships are very important because they decide the spots at the European Championships.

Among other games in the day, Iran’s men went down fighting to the US 82-74 in their Group D game, despite Omid Hadiazhar emerging as the top scorer of the match with 24 points.

Having led in the first quarter 22-21, Iran failed to hold on to the lead, losing the next three quarters closely.

In Group C, Argentina overcame a strong challenge from South Korea 72-52, with a neck-and-neck affair in the first two quarters.

South Korea, after losing two games, now faces a do-or-die situation against France in their next match.

The UAE team will be in action on Tuesday against Australia in their third Group A game at the World Trade Centre halls.