Basketball: Giants walk tall: Defeat not a disaster

MANCHESTER GIANTS, despite a four-point defeat, can feel more positive than Thames Valley Tigers of making further progress in European competitions, writes Duncan Hooper.

The Giants lost only 81-77 against Deportivo Anadia in the first round, first leg Korac Cup tie in Portugal on Wednesday night. However, Giants played without the 6ft 11in Danny Craven, last season's Young Player of the Year Panji Grainger, and the 6ft 8in American Mark Robinson, whose registration was withheld by the International Federation.

Giants expect to have all three players available for next Wednesday's second leg at Altrincham, whereas Tigers must expect to face strengthened opposition for their second leg Clubs' Championship tie away to the Dutch champions Weert next Thursday.

Tigers wasted a 20-point lead before snatching a 96-94 victory in a tense match against Weert at Bracknell on Wednesday. The Dutch had just one American player in action, but they expect to have a second, Pasquale Dore, registered for next week's return.