Turkey keep up medal tilt at European Wheelchair Basketball Championships

Defending silver medallists Turkey kept up their 100 per cent record in the men's competition at the European Wheelchair Basketball Championships at the University of Worcester in England today, battling hard to defeat Israel.

The Turks, who agonisingly lost the 2013 final 59-57 to Britain in Frankfurt, were forced to overcome a poor first quarter after which they trailed 14-8.

But their superiority began to show thereafter as more gaps appeared in the tiring Israeli defence as the favorites opened up a 31-22 lead.

Despite missing several shots in the opening of the third, the Turks swept home their advantage from there to eventually run-out 69-53 winners.

Turkey topped group A thanks to their success.

Elsewhere, Italy finished in second place in Group B with a bitterly fought 58-51 victory over closest rivals The Netherlands, while Sweden consolidated fifth place after a comfortable 80-66 win over bottom-of-the-table Switzerland.

The quarter final line-up has now been competed with Germany set to take on Israel, The Netherlands taking on Poland, Great Britain facing Italy and Turkey playing Spain.

On the women's side, hosts Britain moved into third place in the group with a 54-40 win against Spain.

Great Britain's women saw off Spain ©EuroWBchamps

But attention focused on the clash between the top two teams in The Netherlands and Germany.

In a fast paced and exhilarating match, it was the Dutch who ran out 58-37 winners to sit on the top of the pile.

Hosts Great Britain were too strong for Spain as they triumphed 54-40 to move third after five games.

France overcame winless Italy 69-16 in the day's other clash.

As well as competing for the right to be crowned European champions, the teams are also vying for spots at next year's Paralympic Games in Rio.

The countries who finish in the top four of the women’s competition and the top five men’s teams will book their places in Brazil.

With just one round of games to go in the sole women's group, The Netherlands, Germany, Great Britain and France are all guaranteed a spot in Rio as they can't slide out of the top five.