Basketball: England find no answer to rampant Italy

England were swept aside by Italy last night in a one-sided European Championship qualifier in Roseto degli Abruzzi.

England, forced to re-build following the retirements of Steve Bucknall and Roger Huggins, barely tested Italy, who stormed to a 99-63 win.

Italy were well served by Gianluca Basile, who scored 24 points, and the London-born point guard Carlton Myers, who contributed 22 points.

England's best individual return came from centre Andy Betts, who scored 17 points.

England face Slovenia, 77-65 victors over Portugal last night, in Coventry on Saturday.