IWBF EUROZONE

WHEELCHAIR BASKETBALL

EUROPEAN CLUB CHAMPIONS CUP FINALS

 

English Institute of Sport ~ Sheffield

11th to 13th May 2007

 

Pool A - match 1

LAHN-DILL   71 - 40   OLDHAM OWLS

The Owls started their finals assault on this year's European Club Champions Cup in the most difficult draw of them all against Lahn-Dill (of Germany) the current holders and winners for the past two years.

Oldham started in their usual sluggish fashion taking them seven minutes to register their first basket while the Germans had already posted 11 and by the time the Owls bothered the scorers again the scoreboard read 4-19. Fortunately the hooter went to end the first quarter without any further damage 6-21.

The second period saw a much closer contest as Oldham started to find their range with captain Dan Johnson led from the front but the Owls continued to struggle to contact Canadian Joey Johnson and American Michael Paye. Oldham lost a close quarter 10-12 to trail 16-33 at the half.

The third quarter again saw a tight game but this time it was Abdulgazi Karaman who led the German line as he contributed 14 of his team's 18 points whilst the Owls had to feed off scraps as they lost this period 13-18 (29-51).

The final quarter went the way of the others as Lahn-Dill out-shot Oldham throughout to take the spoils.

Scorers: Munn 12, Johnson 6, Orogbemi 6, Howley 5, Jama 4, Thomas 3,  Pullen 2 and Tarkenter 2.

 

Pool A - match 3

OLDHAM OWLS   70 - 56   C P MIDEBA

The Owls second game of the day was a 8:15 evening tip-off.

Oldham started as though they meant business and for the first five minutes it was basket for basket with the Spanish outfit just edging it 7-8. Three unanswered baskets however saw the Owls take the lead for the first time in the game, 13-8. Another scoring burst saw Oldham close the first period 20-12 to the good.

The second quarter was closely contested but as in the first the Spaniards were having trouble containing lean green Simon Munn who was dominating the inside game and with Ade Orogbemi's blistering speed on the fast break saw the Owls nudge a further 3 points into the lead (17-14) 37-26 at half time.

The third period was again closely fought as you would imagine in a game that was important to both sides. Mideba would not lie down as they traded basket for basket as they sneaked the half 17-15 to trail 43-52.

The re-introduction of Simon Munn (who sat out most of the third period due to foul trouble) at the start of the final quarter re-ignited his side back into life as he and Abdi Jama kept the scoreboard busy and when coach Stainton rested Jama on came the silver fox Malcolm Tarkenter to keep up his 100% shot record for the tournament intact as Oldham ran out victors to give themselves a chance of securing a semi-final place.

Scorers: Munn 28, Howley 16, Jama 12, Thomas 6, Orogbemi 6 and Tarkenter 2.

 

Pool A - match 6

OLDHAM OWLS   47 - 54   C S MEAUX

Saturday morning saw Oldham take on old French rivals Meaux in their final pool match. Meaux were the team that broke the Owls hearts in 1999 when they beat them in the actual final that was held in Oldham that year.

Munn opened the scoring with his customary post up shot but two 3 pointers plus 1 field basket saw the Frenchmen take a 8-2 lead. From thereon in it was basket for basket as the first quarter ended with Oldham training 11-17.

The second period saw Munn single handed score all his side's quarter points as the owls chipped at the Parisian side's lead but French International Mario Fahresmane kept his side's noses in front as the Owls took the second quarter 7-6 to trail 18-23 at he half time break.

The third quarter saw Meaux pull away as poor attacking play and shooting let the home side down with only Munn contributed on a regular basis for Oldham as Mehiaoui and Fahresmane increased the Frenchman's lead 41-29.

The final period of the game saw the Owls clawing for a foothold in the game. Once again it was Munn who demonstrated that he was not the one to lie down and die as he scored 14 invaluable points to see his side go down by 7.

Scorers: Munn 35, Orogbemi 5, Howley 2, Johnson 2, Peel 2 and Pullen 1.

Lahn-Dill finished top of the pile in the group. With the Spaniards beating Meaux by 12, the Owls beating Mideba by 14 and Meaux beating Oldham by 7 all the other three teams tied for second place. The Owls qualified for the final due to a superior points difference.

 

Semi-final

OLDHAM OWLS   62 - 72   SANTA LUCIA

Saturday evening saw Oldham take on another old rival this time Italians Santa Lucia for a place in the final.

The first period saw the lead change hands on a number of times as the teams swopped basket for basket as the Owls vied with the fully professional Italian team. After five minutes the score read 7-8 to Santa Lucia. Oldham continued to match their full time opponents to trail just by three 13-16 as the opening ten minutes finished.

The second quarter started badly for the Lancashire side as it took them a full five minutes to register on the scoreboard while Santa Lucia had added a further 9 points to lead 25-15. Owls guard Sinclair Thomas suddenly found his shooting hands and kept Oldham competitive as they trailed at half time 27-36.

The third period saw a monument to the Owls bottle and never say die attitude as they battled valiantly against the Italians with Thomas adding two three pointers. Oldham however still trailed by 12 points at three-quarter time 44-56.

The final quarter saw another fighting performance from the Owls finest. Thomas shot well and Munn won the inside battle but however they tried they couldn't claw back the deficit and went down by 10.

Scorers: Munn 19, Thomas 19, Howley 13, Orogbmei 4, Johnson 4, Jama 2 and Peel 1.

 

3rd / 4th place final

R S V ZWICKAU   47 - 65   OLDHAM OWLS

Sunday lunchtime saw the Owls take on the second best team in Germany for 3rd place.

Once again Oldham were up against a full time professional team. In the usual manner the Owls struggled to score early doors as the Germans jumped out to a seven point lead after four minutes. Coach Stainton (with his advisors Garry Peel and Mathew Foden) called a time-out. Tactics were changed. This had the desired effect as Oldham went on a 12-2 scoring run to lead 12-9 at the first period buzzer.

The second quarter followed the pattern of the first as Zwickau outscored the Brits 8-2 to regain the lead 17-14. the bulldog spirit however was shown as the Owls reposted with an 11-2 basket-fest to take the second period 13-11. Oldham leading 25-20 at half time.

The third period proved to be crucial as the Owls got the bit between their teeth with the holy trinity of Howley, Munn and Thomas powered Oldham forward towards the bronze medal. The Owls taking the quarter 19-13 (44-33).

The final quarter saw Oldham continue to push forward with all star team member guard Ade Orogbemi controlling the Owls offence as Oldham steamrolled Zwickau to win comfortably in the end.

Scorers: Munn 23, Howley 16, Thomas 11, Jama 8, Orogbemi 5 and Johnson 2.

The Owls finished a creditable third in the championship. Coach Stainton was quoted as saying "To finish as the third best club in Europe after playing against a number of full time professional teams is a credit to the Owls. I am very proud of my players".

 

Reporter: Malcolm Jones