Great Britain set sights on Turkish delight after Netherlands loss

Great Britain will look to banish the spectre of Mariska Beijer as they bid to get their women’s Wheelchair Basketball European Championships campaign back on the straight and narrow against Turkey.

The Netherlands’ Beijer scored 36 points and totted up 12 assist as the defending champions and hosts bested Miles Thompson’s side 61-52 at Topsportcentrum Rotterdam.

GB, who have won two and lost one of their opening three matches, will go looking to bounce back against Turkey before they face Germany in their final group game on Thursday.

Thompson’s charges led 14-10 at the end of the first period, with Amy Conroy leading the way by sinking four two-pointers.

The pendulum swung the other way in the second, however, despite Robyn Love finding her range with four points – four from Bo Kramer and another two from Cher Korver saw the Netherlands hit back from 22-19 down to lead 25-22.

It was nip and tuck in the third period, with neither team giving away an inch, with the Dutch narrowly leading 39-37 as the clash entered its final stanza.

But Biejer shone from both open play and the free-throw line in the fourth and final period, sinking 16 points to guide the Netherlands home.

GB current sit third in the championship standings ahead of their meeting with Turkey, who have lost all three of their games so far.