Terry Bywater does not want to be ‘the Harry Kane of wheelchair basketball’ – as the Team GB star aims to make it seventh time lucky at the Paralympics

One member of the British wheelchair basketball team said they were ‘playing for the past – the players who came before us’ and the Paralympic semi-finals were so dire that some despaired of ever taking the big step towards a gold medal.

They had played six semi-finals since reaching the 1996 final, losing all of them. The only remaining British player to have played all six semi-finals, Terry Bywater, said before this tournament that he did not want to be ‘the Harry Kane of wheelchair basketball’ – a reference to the fact that the England football captain had never won a silverware.

This time it was different. A GB team that had been the talk of the tournament — beating Canada, France and Australia by more than 20 points — trounced old foes Germany 71-43 on Friday night and Bywater, a hard-boiled, seasoned baller who has been thrown from his chair more times than he can remember, was close to tears.

“It’s been heartbreaking over the years,” the 41-year-old said. “I’ve been there six times before and this is something I’ve dreamed of since the Sydney Paralympic Games. I got emotional after the final whistle, but this is why I play basketball: I’m in a Paralympic final. It’s just incredible.’

Bywater appeared only for the final three minutes and he impressed. Monumental defense, a steal, a maximum three-pointer from distance.

Bywater is part of the British men’s team that has again reached the semi-finals of the Paralympic Games

But the giants of this basketball court were Gregg Warburton, who scored 35 points all by himself, and Phil Pratt, with his trademark pumped fist after multiple scores. Pratt’s basket that gave Great Britain a 10-point lead in the third quarter seemed to bring real satisfaction. He turned to block Germany’s Nico Dreimuller, which caused him to unseat.

All but one of the British teams play in Spain’s elite league – the best in the world. It’s the collegiate nature of the group that has taken them a step further this time around, Bywater said.

“We’re tough and we never give up,” he said. “We showed that at halftime, when it could have been the other way around. The way we stick together. The bench we have, guys who can score points quickly.”

Bywater (front, centre) was one of the flag bearers for Team GB at this year’s opening ceremony

England men’s national football team captain Harry Kane has yet to win a single trophy despite playing in six finals

The personal challenges these players had overcome were not even mentioned in the post-match conversation. Warburton had both feet amputated at six months old due to a congenital defect and was also born with a deformity in his left arm. Bywater had his left leg amputated at two.

GB basketball players, coached by Canadian brothers Bill and Joey Johnson, will now attempt to win gold in the event for the first time when they play the final against either the US or Canada on Saturday. The Americans are seeking their third consecutive crown.

“It’s not going to be easy,” Bywater predicted. “If we’re going to go all the way, we’re going to have to play our best basketball game yet.”