Team GB hooping & dreaming

GREAT BRITAIN'S wheelchair basketballers ended 28 years of hurt by beating Germany to reach the gold-medal game.

- TOM HARLE

After six successive semi-final defeats, stretching back to Sydney 2000, Britain beat the Germans 71-43 and made their first final since 1996.

Teessider Terry Bywater (above), who carried the ParalympicsGB flag at the opening ceremony, finally tasted victory, having been part of all six semi-final losses.

"This is something I've dreamt of since Sydney," said the 41-year-old. "I got emotional after the final whistle because this is why I play basketball.