Owls enjoy an Italian adventure

BIG SMILES ALL ROUND . . . the Oldham Owls squad at the Eurocup in Italy

FOUR superb wins in four games at the Eurocup qualification tournament in Padova, Italy, meant the Oldham Owls wheelchair basketball team sealed their participation at the forthcoming Andrevegawen Cup in France in some style.

Already guarding an unbeaten record so far this term, the Owls were to come up against ASD Padova Millennium (Italy), SC Devedo (the Netherlands), Antwerp GEMBO Players (Belgium) and Leopards de Guyenne Bordeaux (France).

TOUGHEST

The first game, against hosts ASD Padova Millennium, proved to be the toughest game of the tournament.

The Owls managed to compete for the ball against a strong professional Italian squad.

With a minute to go the scores were level, but the advantage was with the Owls as two main plays for the hosts were fouled out of the game.

The final score of 74-71 proved to be a great win.

Owls then faced SC Devedo.

The Owls were always in the driving seat and finished the game comfortable 65-41 victors.

The second day was an early start for the Owls, with the tip off at 9am against Bordeaux.

The French team didn't have depth and this meant the Owls could exploit this, eventually securing a 69-44 win.

In the final match the Owls played Antwerp, a small team from Belgium.

The Oldham side roared to a 72-37 victory to seal their place at the Andrevegawen Cup in Toulouse.

The tournament takes place on April 27/28, and the Owls will face Galatasaray (Turkey), Albecete (Spain) and Meaux (France) in their group.