Paris 2024 Paralympics: Netherlands come from behind to retain women's wheelchair basketball title

The Netherlands women’s wheelchair basketball team produced a superb comeback to beat the United States 63-49 and retain their title at the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games on Sunday (8 September).

Showing no signs of fatigue from their thrilling 50-47 win over the People’s Republic of China on Friday, USA raced into an 8-1 lead in the first quarter. Rose Hollerman delivered another masterclass with eight points as her team looked to secure its first Paralympic title since Rio 2016.

The two-time reigning world champion Dutch team looked shell-shocked at Bercy Arena, but a late rally saw them go into the first break 12-8 down.

Suddenly it was Team USA's turn to look on as the inspired Dutch took hold of the match. The team in orange took a 31-24 lead at the end of the second quarter with Mariska Beijer taking her points tally to 12.

The stage was set for a thrilling third, and neither team was disappointed. USA took an early lead, but once again the Netherlands were able to reel them in and take a 48-37 lead into the final quarter thanks to the brilliance of scoring machine Bo Kramer.

With a healthy lead and victory in sight, the Netherlands knew that defence would be key. After three free-scoring periods, a more cagey fourth saw the defending champions stay in front and secure gold again.

Kramer and Beijer led the way for the victors with 23 and 22 points respectively, while Hollerman tallied 17 points in a losing effort.

Perhaps the most telling statistic of the match was the offensive rebound count with the Dutch grabbing 12 to the USA's four. And they were more clinical in scoring points when on offer.