BASKETBALL: England drift to second win

Luxembourg went the way of the Welsh at Birmingham's NEC last night, battered into submission by England's bulky battalion who won 102-72 in the second round of the European Championship qualifying tournament, writes Duncan Hooper.

After an easy start, England must step up a gear tonight against Georgia as they seek one of the three qualifying places for the semi-final round beginning in the autumn.

Luxembourg exposed the leaden side of England's huge line-up. Plouto Vourliotis, one of six men over 6ft 8in, was frequently stranded on the perimeter as Marc Schiltz smoothly found the space to lead Luxembourg's scoring with 17 points. Spencer Dunkley had 23 points for England.

EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIP Qualifying round (NEC Arena, Birmingham) Second round: England 102 Luxembourg 72; Georgia 97 Denmark 86 Poland 111 Wales 71.