Basketball: Champions Spain prove too strong for Britain

Luol Deng (scoring above) scored 17 points for Britain, and Pau Gasol 21 for Spain (EPA)

Great Britain put up a better fight on day three of the European Championships in Lithuania yesterday but could not produce an upset against defending champions Spain, losing 86-69.

Needing to show much more resolve after going down 90-61 to Turkey, Britain competed well through the first two periods, trailing by only 38-32 at half-time.

Spain , though, showed their true class, beginning the third period with a 20-8 spurt to put the result almost beyond doubt with 12 minutes remaining. Luol Deng scored 17 points for Britain, and Pau Gasol 21 for Spain.