The groups for the wheelchair basketball tournament at the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games were decided on Wednesday (20 April) at the organising committee headquarters in a draw with a difference. The teams were drawn in pairs, with the duets featuring Brazil being left until last and the host nation granted the chance to decide which group they preferred.

In the 12-team men's tournament, the Brazilians opted to be included in Group B with Iran, the USA, Great Britain, Germany and Algeria. That left Spain, who were partnered with Brazil in the draw, to join Australia, Canada, Turkey, the Netherlands and Japan in Group A.

In the 10-team women's tournament, Brazil decided to join Canada, Germany, Great Britain and Argentina in Group A, leaving Algeria to face the USA, the Netherlands, France and China in Group B.

Rui Marques, Rio 2016's wheelchair basketball manager, said the match schedule should be defined by Monday (25 April).

Become a wheelchair basketball expert with our interactive infographic

Maureen Orchard, the secretary general of the International Wheelchair Basketball Federation (IWBF), said she was “certain that organisers would put on great Paralympic Games” as she has been working with the Brazilians since the Rio 2007 Parapan-American Games. She said she was particularly excited to see Algeria's men's and women's teams make their Paralympic Games debuts in the sport, along with the Chinese women.

"In the men's tournament, eight countries could reach the podium. Both groups are really strong"

Maureen Orchard, IWBF secretary general

China and Great Britain in action at the London 2012 Games (Photo: Getty Images/Jamie McDonald)