Day 4 of low point wheelchair rugby at The World Games began bright and early as each nation had its last chance to secure a victory, and for some, a World Games medal. The day started with an exciting matchup between Switzerland and USA – a rematch from the evening before. Switzerland got the tip, but USA’s Joel Rodriguez was the first to score. It was a back-and-forth battle in the first few minutes as teams exchanged goals. Two early turnovers by USA looked to give the advantage to Switzerland, but a standout offensive performance from Joel Rodriguez, Mike DeYoung, Ryan Engelby and Matt Milstead gave USA a 9-6 lead to end the first quarter. Adrian Moser and Christian Hahnel attacked the second quarter with two quick goals, narrowing the American’s lead to one. Switzerland continued to work and wear down the Americans, and the second quarter ended USA 17, Switzerland 16. Switzerland began the second half with possession and was able to get a quick try from Andreas Brandli to tie the match 17 all. USA had a turnover on the following possession allowing Switzerland to take the lead. Switzerland increased their defensive pressure in the full court which flustered the Americans and caused more turnovers. With three minutes to go in the third quarter, momentum began to shift to the Americans. Switzerland had multiple turnovers and a penalty, which allowed USA to tie it up 23 all with 1:15 to go in the third. Switzerland, as usual, remained calm and focused on its passing and recorded key tries from Patrick Gosteli and Andreas Brandli to take a 25-23 lead to end the third. In the fourth, the Swiss defense pinned Joel Rodriguez in the back court to force the other three Americans to handle the ball. This gave Switzerland an advantage, and they maintained their three-point lead. With less than two minutes to go, USA extended its defensive pressure and caused a 12 second violation followed by a quick try to make it a one-point game. Swiss followed up with a final try from Adrian Moser, and they were able to run out the clock and win 34-32.
It was anticipated to be a close bronze medal match with the speed of Canada’s offense against the precision passing and scoring of Germany. Germany got the tip, and Robert Teichmann was the first to score followed quickly by Canadian Patrice Dagenais. Tough full court defensive pressure from Germany caused Canada to call a timeout early. Both sides used their speed to press up in the full court but Germany was still able to connect their passes and make it across the try line. It was try for try and turnover for turnover through the first half of the quarter, but Germany ended with an 11-8 advantage. In the second quarter the German offense began to cross smoothly up court and convert multiple tries for Thomas Schuwje and Teichmann. The German defense locked down the Hirschfield/Dagenais offense and outscored the Canadians 11-6, taking a 22-14 lead into the half. The third began with a new look for the Canadians – Maxime Drolet-Gauthier, Eric Rodrigues, Hirschfield and Dagenais – but Germany stuck with their starting four. Turnovers continued to plague any offensive momentum the Canadians could create, and Germany claimed the victory and bronze medal with a 44-30 win over Canada.
The final match of the tournament saw undefeated Great Britain take on Japan. GB got the tip, and Myles Pearson was off to the races with the first try. Japan started with a slightly different line of Tomoaki Imai, Hidefumi Wakayama, Seiya Norimatsu and Kae Kurahashi. The British applied intense defensive pressure, and Japan struggled to inbound the ball and recorded a turnover before their first try. Nick Cummins was plastered on Seiya Norimatsu throughout each offensive possession which made it difficult for Japan to get in an offensive groove. Defense was the name of this game. Finally, Japan tallied its first try four minutes into the first quarter. Takayuki Norimatsu came in toward the end of the quarter to infuse some offense, but GB’s stifling defense had everyone on lockdown, and the quarter ended with GB up 7-4. Japan came out in the second quarter with a burst of speed and offense from Tomoaki Imai and Hidefumi Wakayama. Meanwhile, Nick Cummins and Myles Pearson continued to put on an offensive clinic and never allowed Japan to catch back up, ending the first half with a 16-11 lead. The third quarter started without the Norimatsu brothers, but Wakayama and Hitoshi Ogawa kept the offense moving. Pearson and Cummins answered every Japanese try with a British score and ended the third up 28-17. Takayuki Norimatsu and Team Japan gave a valiant effort in the fourth quarter to get back in the match, but the dynamic team play from Ryan Cowling, Daniel Kellett, Sam Dickinson and Nick Cummins was too much to overcome, and the match ended with an emphatic 35-23 gold medal win by Great Britain.
Day 4 Results
- Match 1: Switzerland 34, USA 32
- Match 2: Germany 44, Canada 30
- Match 3: Great Britain 35, Japan 23
- Canada 2-4
- Great Britain 6-0
- Germany 4-2
- Japan 4-2
- Switzerland 2-4
- USA 0-6