| 17.08.2010
Great Britain clung on to their proud record of being the last unbeaten team in the EuroBasket Qualifying Round but they needed the full length of their finger nails to do so after almost snatching defeat from the jaws of victory against Hungary.
Leading by double digits at 61-48 early in the final quarter, Great Britain were left reeling when the Group B strugglers fought back to tie the game with less than two minutes to play.
However after suffering an almost fatal drought which saw them score only once in eight minutes, Britain once again kept their composure to show their spirit and grind out a win - the 66-64 success taking them to five wins from five games.
This really was a major banana skin avoided for Coach Finch and his team who showed their character again with Luol Deng having a rare off night by his usual high standards. Great Britain were on top for long periods and indeed dominated the first half. They heading into the third quarter with a comfortable 15 point advantage at 37-22. They still looked to be in little danger as they entered the final quarter but things quickly changed after their offence began to misfire in a big way and Hungary took full advantage to force a dramatic conclusion. Pops Mensah-Bonsu claimed an essential double-double of 15 points and 17 rebounds although on another night could have been made to pay for making only 5 of his 12 attempts from the free-throw line. Not that the manner of victory will matter to anyone in Great Britain - especially with FYR of Macedonia waiting in the wings. Peter Lorant registered 17 points for Hungary. |
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