Paralympics: ‘Unbelievable’ as GB men reach first Paralympic wheelchair basketball final for 28 years

ParalympicsGB has never won gold in the sport, with the men’s team being four-time bronze medallists since finishing runners-up to Australia at Atlanta in 1996.

Gregg Warburton scored 35 points in Thursday’s last-four clash at Bercy Arena, while Lee Manning and Phil Pratt chipped in with 14 and 12 respectively, to guarantee at least silver in Paris.

GB, who include Halifax’s Harry Brown and Wakefield’s Lee Fryer, will take on either back-to-back champions the United States or Canada in Saturday evening’s final.

ParalympicsGB flagbearer Terry Bywater, from Middlesbrough, who is playing basketball at the seventh Games of his career, said: “This has been 24 years in the making and we’re one game away from making history.

“I’ve been there six times before. This is something I’ve dreamt of since Sydney (in 2000).

“I got emotional after the final whistle – this is why I play basketball. I’m in the Paralympic final. It’s unbelievable,” added Bywater, pictured.

Britain’s women’s team face Germany in a play-off for fifth place following a 67-55 victory over Japan.

In the pool, GB claimed gold medals as Becky Redfern won the Women's SB13 100m breaststroke, while Alice Tai was first in the Women's S8 50m freestyle.

Earlier, British swimmer Iona Winnifrith continued a day of teenage dreams by winning SB7 100m breaststroke silver aged just 13.

Hours after 14-year-old table tennis player Bly Twomey won her second bronze of the Games, the youngest member of ParalympicsGB’s squad secured her own podium place.

“I’m really happy with that performance and getting a silver medal at 13 is really cool,” said Kent schoolgirl Winnifrith.

“I spoke with my coach (and the plan was) just try and keep up with the girls all the way through and then power it through the last length.”

There were also bronze medals for Anna Nicholson (shot put) and Olivia Broome (powerlifting), and silver for Mark Swan (powerlifting).