Basketball: England spirits uplifted

ENGLAND HAD a morale-boosting 86-84 win over the hosts, Portugal, in the RTP Tournament in Cacem do Santiago last night, before Wednesday's European Championships game against Switzerland at Ponds Forge. After seeming in control, England needed a Kojo Bonsu free throw to win.

On Saturday night England showed the benefits of a full day's training by beating Egypt 88-70, after losing 84-64 against Angola, Olympic qualifiers, on Friday.

In the Southern Conference of the championship, the leaders Birmingham Bullets fought back from trailing 56-39 to lead Thames Valley Tigers 69- 68 but an error by Yorick Williams handed the Tigers a 72-69 victory.