Team title holder Portugal faces Argentina in the quarterfinals, while BC4 favorites Hong Kong and BC3 challengers Spain must win key group matches to qualify for the Pairs semifinals.
BC1/2 Team
The quarterfinals at 12:00 a.m. (UTC/GMT +8) pit World No. 1 Great Britain against outsiders Norway, newcomers China with Ireland, title holders Portugal clash against Argentina and Spain will face Hong Kong.
Title holder Portugal looked impressive as the team eased past group stage opponents Norway and Japan. With a line-up that includes top ranked players Joao Paulo Fernandes, Fernando Ferreira, Antonio Marques and Cristina Goncalves, they have every chance of advancing to the semifinals and bidding for a consecutive gold medal. Spain, the 2004 bronze medalist, drew the toughest match against Hong Kong, a team that includes Kwok Hoi Ying Karen, the Individual BC2 gold medalist. Still, with top ranked athletes Javier Francisco Beltran, Jose Vaquerizo, Pedro Cordero and Manuel Angel Martin in their lineup, the Spanish team will be the favorite.
BC3 Pairs
Spain suffered an upset loss to China in group A on Wednesday and now face a must-win contest with a very strong team from the Republic of Korea, which includes Individual BC3 gold medalist Park Keon-woo, to qualify. The World No. 4 pair of Santiago Pesquera and Jose Manuel Rodriguez is still under pressure from China. Even if Spain wins, the Chinese duo could qualify ahead of them if they clinch a bigger win over Canada.
In group B, Portugal and Thailand clash for the top spot but New Zealand can still go through with a big win over Greece. Group matches start at 10:30 a.m. (UTC/GMT +8) and the semifinals at 3:05 p.m.
BC4 Pairs
Paralympic title holder Hong Kong must beat World No. 1 Portugal to qualify after suffering an upset loss to the Czech Republic. Leung Yuk-wing, the silver medal winner in the Individual BC4, will need to be at his best to overcome the skills of veteran Fernando Pereira and long time rival Bruno Valentim, who are both hungry for success after disappointing in the individual competition. The Czech Republic will reach the semifinals if Hong Kong loses and the Czechs beat China.
In group B, leader Spain takes on Hungary, who cannot qualify after suffering two defeats, and Brazil plays Slovakia in a battle for the second spot. Group matches start at 10:30 a.m. (UTC/GMT +8) and the semifinals at 1:45 p.m.
(BOCOG September 10, 2008)