Canada vs Argentina in Woman's Wheelchair Basketball

I have been indulging on the Pan Am Games and the concerts. Tonight I headed off to a Para Pam event, woman's wheelchair Bbsketball.

Wheelchair basketball is similar to able-bodied basketball — players move the ball around the court by passing or dribbling the ball, except that they must throw or bounce the ball after every two pushes of the wheels on the chair, otherwise they will be penalized for travelling. The objective is to throw the ball into the opponent’s net. One, two or three points are awarded for each goal, depending on where the ball is thrown from. The team with the most points at the end of game wins.

The event took place at the Ryerson Athletic Centre, housed in what once was Maple Leaf Gardens. Canada was taking on Argentina in the semi-finals. The winner moves on to the gold medal match.

The banners were out.

 Warning up.

The teams greet each other.

The game opening toss.

Canada scores the first point of the game. They scored many afterwards before Argentina actually scored.

Free throw.

Canada had a huge lead at half time. During breaks there were Kiss Cams, Crowd dancing videos are my favorite, catching somebody in the crowd on their cell phone and putting up a clock to see how long it takes for them to notice they are on the big screen.

There was also a ball slingshot. This was in my direction but fell short.

Canada wins 82-28, I told you it wasn't close, and takes on the U.S. tomorrow night in the gold medal game.

Shaking hands and saluting the crowd!

I have said it before but it is very special to be cheering on your country at an international event. I am so proud of our women tonight and hope they take the gold when they they take on the U.S. tomorrow night,

GO CANADA!

Leela Gilday in Concert at Nathan Phillips Square Panamania

Today at lunch I headed over to Nathan Phillips Square at City Hall to see Leela Gilday in concert.

A passionate singer/songwriter and soulful performer, Leela Gilday has a voice that comes straight from the heart. Confessing her stories to her audiences with a gutsy voice and open stage presence, Gilday weaves her experiences as a northerner, a member of the Dene nation, and a traveler into a beautiful world that transports the listener. With four full-length recordings and a long touring history, Gilday has numerous awards to her credit, including a Juno, two Western Canadian Music Awards, Aboriginal Female Entertainer of the Year to name a few.

I thought she was great and had a great vocal range, especially when she chanted. My lunch ended too early and I had to leave before the concert was over, damn work!

On the way out I took a shot of the Toronto sign. I`m glad it`s going to be a permanent part of Nathan Phillips Square.

Eva Avilia at Panamania

This afternoon I headed over to Pan Am Park at the Exhibition to see Eva Avilia, who was the winner of the fourth Canadian Idol.  In 2007, she also became the first Canadian to be the face of Maybelline, New York. Eva also did the Spanish version of the theme song for this year's Pan Am Games, Together We Are One, which in Spanish is Unidos Somo Mas.

Eva was born in Quebec but is part Peruvian. She sang Nelly Furtado's Powerless (Say What You Want), which was the song she sang in the finale of Canadian Idol that gave her the victory, her new release Bitter Meets Sweet and of course, Unidos Somo Mas.

It was a fun show. She has a great vocal range and plenty of energy. Just before her last song, she said she was proud to be Peruvian, proud to be from Quebec and proud to be Canadian. A perfect mixture for a singer at the Pan Am.

Hopefully Bitter Meets Sweet becomes a big hit for her. It was a great way to enjoy an afternoon.

Canadian Men's Sabre Team at the Pan Am Games

After watching the Woman's Team Sabre competition this morning, it was time for the men's event in the afternoon. I was excited about this, not because I am a sabre fencer, but also because Mark Peros is on the Canadian team. Mark fences out of the same club as I do, and has given me plenty of good advice over the years. As Mark was the only Canadian member of the team from Toronto, he had a very strong contingent on hand cheering on every point he made. That is him in the top picture on the attack.

There were a good number of fans in attendance.

The Canadian team come into the arena, no warm up jackets required, as they were ready to go.

Canada ended the first set down 5-2, then Mark came on. See that red light. Point for Canada!

Mark on defence.

Lefty Joseph Polossifakis attacks and gets the point.

Mark Peros ask for clarification on a hit against him from the judge.

Look at the bend of Mark's blade on the left as he brings it forward to the attack. The sabre blades tip has been measured as travelling at 300 kph, the second fastest thing in the Olympics. Only a bullet is faster.

Strategy session.

Polossifakis celebrates match point.

The 45-25 victory put Canada into the semi finals against Venezuela.

I went out on the patio during the break and had a beer. It was a beautiful day.

Time for the semi-finals!

 Venezuelan fans were in full force and loud.

The introductions

Final huddle.

It was a close match. After 4 rounds Canada was up just 20-19 and going into the final round in a match to 45, were up just 40-37.

 Polossifakis celebrates his 44th point. One more to go.

After the winning hit he went for a run down the piste (fencing strip)

 The 45-40 win meant Canada would fence off against the U.S. for Gold.

It was a fun afternoon of fencing. I didn't have tickets for the medal events but hearing from fellow fencers that were there Canada fought hard but in the end were downed by the U.S. squad 45-37 and came out with a Silver medal.

Great job Mark Peros, Joseph Polossifakis and Shaul Gardon. You did Canada proud!