By Gary Anderson

The United States suffered a surprise defeat to Italy at the World Wheelchair Basketball Championships today ©Getty Images Italy caused an upset at the World Wheelchair Basketball Championships in Incheon today as they sprang a surprise defeat on the United States in the first game of the second group phase as reigning champions Australia impressed against Colombia.

The US came into today's action off the back of three straight wins in the preliminary rounds and would have been expected to overcome an Italian side who scraped through in third place in their opening group.

But Italy's players found a renewed confidence and won every quarter against the Americans on the way to a 54-41 win over the London 2012 Paralympic Games bronze medallists.

Elsewhere in Group F, defending champions Australia overcame a mini revival by Colombia in the fourth quarter to emerge with a 62-46 victory to maintain their 100 per cent start to the tournament.

The Australians led by 12 points at the halftime break and never really looked in danger during the second period, while Germany despatched Turkey with a comfortable 76-52 win.

In Group E, Great Britain and Spain joined the Aussies as the only unbeaten sides left in the Championships.

The Spanish were dominant against Argentina, which included a rampant fourth quarter where they scored 19 points to their opponent's four to eventually run out 63-30 winners.

Britain secured a 64-59 win over a determined Iran side who trailed the number five ranked team in the world by a single point at halftime.

But the British team's battling qualities showed after the break as they managed to add four points in the third quarter before tying 17 points apiece in the final period.

Great Britain maintained their perfect start to the tournament in Incheon with a fourth win over Iran ©British Wheelchair BasketballGreat Britain maintained their perfect start to the tournament in Incheon with a fourth win over Iran ©British Wheelchair Basketball



"Really tough game today," said a relieved Gaz Choudhry of Britain afterwards.

"At this stage there is no easy game and Iran played really well.

"They ran us all the way and we are glad we came away with the win.

"They played a really physical style of defence and we didn't get some of the calls that we wanted but that's the way the game was refereed both sides, we've got to be tougher and take better care of the ball."

The other game in the group saw an even closer affair between Asian rivals South Korea and Japan, with the South Koreans emerging with a 60-58 win.

In Group G, all four teams are competing for the lower ranking positions after being knocked out of the main competition.

Sweden secured a 75-58 win over Algeria while Mexico picked up their first win in a closely fought 59-55 victory over The Netherlands.

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