Here is another update from The Marco:

A day for gold :

Play started with South Africa facing a game by game improving team in China who had dismantled the Koreans the previous day. South Africa started strong led by budding superstar Lukas Sithole (3.0) and never really let up except for a few brain cramps and cruised to victory.

South Africa has some talent, but in the Oceania Zone they are confronted with perennial powers Japan, Australia, and New Zealand and their opportunity to advance beyond 3rd place is limited. They are looking at the opportunity to play in the States or going to Europe to prove their point. With standouts Sithole (3.0) and Dlamani.(2.5) and the strong play of Buitendag (2.0) and the improving play of Dorfling (0.5). Their supporting cast is gaining experience.

China showed good improvement from their very first game, but if they are to compete with the big boys at Paralympics they will need lots of help (there’s people out there that could push the program in the right direction) and of course experience but some mystery surrounds this team, how dedicated is the Chinese sports government to the success of this team on the world scene as they could be a major player in 2012. They have some athletic players and seem to learn pretty fast but in my humble opinion they need help NOW.

On to the Bronze game:

Japan vs New Zealand: how will the New Zealanders react to the disappointment of being relegated to the bronze medal game. NZ starts with Buckingham (3.0), Palmer (2.5), Klinkhammer (1.5) and Waite (1.0); Japan has their usual crew to start (3.0, 2.5, 2.0 and 0.5). During the 2nd, speedster Fujishima (3.0) is injured on a spin where he banged his knees on the floor and his competition is done. Kiwi’s with the lead at half.

In the 3rd and 4th its pedal to the metal time for NZ and they have now taken a 27-23 lead with 4:45 left in the game with the ball and both teams with no more time outs.

So if I’ve heard correctly and someone please correct me if I err but for Paralympics pool A will be 1, 3, 6 and 8 and pool B will be 2, 4, 5 and 8. So it will be USA, Canada, Japan and China and pool B will be Australia, GB, NZ and Germany.

Questions have already arisen on why Australia jumps over both Canada and GB but from what I know the Oceania Zone was already allocated positions 2, 5 and 6 for Para’s while the America’s zone has positions 1 and 3 and Europe positions 4 and 7 with China the 8th team for Para’s. And if China finishes last will this mean that they will be ranked 8th in the world.

See you after the gold medal game!

- Marco