The Canadian men’s wheelchair basketball team did not let itself be intimidated in its first game of the Paris Paralympic Games. Facing the French team and, therefore, the majority of the spectators, it won 83-68 at the Bercy Arena.
As expected, the atmosphere was electric to launch the Paralympic tournament of the two teams. Behind one of the baskets, we could see the faces of the French players printed in giant format, sailing in a wave of tricolor flags which, itself, extended all around the floor.
Nicolas Jouanserre’s was in the front row and was often brandished in the first quarter, as he scored 15 of the home team’s 20 points.
“We expected it to be crazy, but it was hard to really imagine it. It was an electrifying atmosphere,” Jonathan Vermette told Sportcom. “It doesn’t necessarily represent an advantage for them, because it comes with a certain amount of pressure. For our part, we reacted very well.”
The Canadian team quickly found success on offense. Its lead was 11 points before its opponents scored five points in a row to bring the score to 26-20 at the end of the first quarter.
The Blues continued this momentum when play resumed. They took the lead 37-33 thanks to the hot hand of Jouanserre. At halftime, the scoreboard showed 41-39 in favor of the French and the number 64 had already accumulated 26 points.
“The game plan never changed, we just had to execute it a little better,” said Vincent Dallaire, who played the entire 40 minutes of play.
“We followed our game plan well, especially in the second half and the energy was really good! We were just excited enough, not too much, and that gave us an excellent result,” added Vermette.
Colin Higgins took charge in the third quarter. The New Brunswicker scored some important baskets to give Canada the lead again, helped by veteran Patrick Anderson, who was all over the court.
Anderson, who was the co-flag bearer for Team Canada at the Opening Ceremony, is competing in his sixth Paralympic Games. His contribution was evident throughout the game, as evidenced by the score sheet. The man who celebrated his 45the birthday on August 22, finished the game with 31 points, 12 rebounds and 13 assists.
The crowd never stopped cheering for the French, with several rallying cries. However, their favourites were unable to maintain the pace set by the Canadians in the fourth quarter.
“This atmosphere is impossible to replicate. It’s so strong,” tried to describe Vincent Dallaire, who had 4 points, 4 rebounds and an assist.
My first Games were in Tokyo where there were no spectators. It was silent and you could hear a pin drop. Here, I have trouble hearing my teammate who is 6 inches next to me!
Vincent Dallaire
Colin Higgins scored 38 points in the win. Frenchman Nicolas Jouanserre also had 38 points for the French camp, including five 3-pointers in as many attempts.
“It feels really good to start the tournament with a great victory,” said Jonathan Vermette. “With only eight teams (instead of 12 like in Tokyo), we know it’s going to be tough. We’re going back to basics and we don’t want to let the grandeur of the event take over. We managed to do that today.”
The Canadians will be back at the Bercy Arena on Saturday to face off against the British, silver medallists at the most recent World Championships. A doubleheader awaits the two countries, as the two women’s teams will face off a little earlier.