By Gary Anderson

Hosts Canada celebrate their World Championship win after defeating Germany in today's final ©Wheelchair Basketball CanadaHosts Canada secured a memorable win on home soil today as they squeezed passed Paralympic champions Germany in the gold medal match at the Women's Wheelchair Basketball World Championships in Toronto.

It was a first world title for the Canadians since 2006 and came following a closely fought battle with the Germans they eventaully won 54-50.

The London 2012 champions started the match in confident mood and led after the first quarter as they sought to add a first World Championship to their Paralympic crown.

Canada hit back in the second quarter and managed to take a three point lead into the half-time break and that lead was maintained at the end of the third period after Katie Harnock landed a shot just before the hooter.

The Germans levelled the match at 40 points apiece early in the final period as the outcome looked set to go right to the wire.

But the hosts held their nerve and, roared on by the crowd inside the Mattamy Athletic Centre, they rattled in some vital scores in the final minutes to seal a four-point win.

Janet McLachlan and Cindy Ouellet led the way for Canada with 15 points each while McLachlan also picked up an impressive 19 rebounds for the side that came a disappointing sixth at London 2012.

Janet McLachlan was one of the star names for Canada as they claimed their fifth World Championship in Toronto ©Wheelchair Basketball CanadaJanet McLachlan was one of the star names for Canada as they claimed their fifth World Championship in Toronto ©Wheelchair Basketball Canada



Toronto native Tracey Ferguson also landed some crucial scores as she claimed her fourth world title after wins in 1998, 2002 and 2006.

"I gotta say, coming from sixth place in London back to the podium, that's what we talked about and I don't think a lot of people had faith that we could move that high up in the rankings," said Ferguson who is already targeting more success beginning with next year's Toronto 2015 Parapan American Games.

"But the team believed that we could and we bought into a common goal and a common plan,.

"This is pretty brilliant, this is a chance to compete in front of family and friends and you know, we took care of [the] World Championships so we have the Parapan Ams next summer and that's our qualifier for Rio [2016 Paralympic Games] so it is crucial that we do our best there as well and I think we've set the tone.

"We've shown the world that we're back ready to compete with the best and be the best."

Canadian head coach Bill Johnson is also looking forward to carrying on that momentum over the next two years following today's triumph.

"The fact that we can come into [Toronto 2015] now as favourites is a whole new experience for us.

"So we'll embrace that challenge like we have everything else here and we'll move forward as we work towards Rio."

Canadian head coach Bill Johnson looks on during his side's tense World Championship final win over Germany ©Wheelchair Basketball CanadaCanadian head coach Bill Johnson looks on during his side's tense World Championship final win over Germany ©Wheelchair Basketball Canada



After losing out to Canada by a single point in a thrilling semi-final yesterday, The Netherlands regrouped for a clash with 2010 champions the United States for the bronze medal.

The sides were separated by a single point after a tight first-half but the Dutch emerged after the break in rampant mood and led by the tournament's most valuable player (MVP), Inge Huitzing they proved too hot to handle for the American defence going on to rack up a 74-58 victory.

"The girls had a terrible night because of the loss to Canada," said Dutch head coach, Gertjan van der Linden.

"But altogether we did a good job."

Inge Huitzing of The Netherlands picked up the most valuable player (MVP) of the tournament award after an impressive week in Toronto ©Wheelchair Basketball CanadaInge Huitzing of The Netherlands picked up the most valuable player (MVP) of the tournament award after an impressive week in Toronto ©Wheelchair Basketball Canada



For The Netherlands it was a first ever medal at a World Championships, while it was the first time the US failed to make the podium at a Championships.

Meanwhile, in the first two games of the day there were wins for China and Great Britain.

China secured seventh place overall with Jia Meng Dai top-scoring in a 64-30 win over France, while Helen Freeman topped the scoring charts for a fourth time for Britain as she bagged an impressive 41 points to help her side overcome Paralympic silver medallists Australia in the fifth-sixth place play-off on a scoreline of 77-70 after overtime.

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